The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

 

Game Overview

Essentials

Genre(s)

Adventure

Platform(s)

Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii

Developer(s)

Nintendo

Publisher(s)

  • 🇺🇸 Nintendo
  • 🇪🇺 Nintendo

Release Date(s)

  • 🇺🇸 November 23, 1998
  • 🇪🇺 December 11, 1998

Much in the way that Super Mario 64 reinvented Mario, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time did the same for Link’s adventures. It introduced (or at least popularized) “Z-targeting,” which was the name for using the Nintendo 64’s Z-button to soft-lock onto enemies and adjust Link’s movements relative to his foes. Z-targeting and context-sensitive actions would find their way into countless 3D action and adventure titles in the future.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time often tops many “Best Games of All Time” lists for its excellent game design and revamp of a beloved series. Its influence would steer the direction of all 3D Zelda titles for nearly twenty years, with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as the first game to drastically change the series’ formula and presentation over that time.

Game Reviews

Review Author Platform Score
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Andrew Barker Nintendo Wii
96
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Esque Nintendo 64
95

Music Reviews

Review Author Released
A Melancholy Tribute to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Brigid Choi September 23, 2014
Ballads of Hyrule II Steven Mattern November 19, 2021
Gaming Fantasy Eric Farand May 20, 2012
Hero of Time (Music from “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time”) Francis Li March 27, 2017
Legacy Sessions: GAME Generation 5 Brigid Choi January 16, 2015
Mario & Zelda Big Band Live CD Damian Thomas December 10, 2003
Melodies of Hyrule: Music from The Legend of Zelda Brigid Choi November 21, 2013
Nintendo Sound History Series – Zelda the Music Patrick Gann December 22, 2004
Prescription for Sleep: Game Music Lullabies Volume III Patrick Gann May 19, 2023
Retro Remix Revue Vol. 2 Neal Chandran November 1, 2009
The 30th Anniversary The Legend of Zelda Game Music Collection Francis Li September 28, 2016
The Celtic Link: Themes From “The Legend of Zelda” Hilary Andreff June 17, 2017
The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time Vol. II: The Lost Tracks Patrick Gann January 1, 1999
The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD Kyle E. Miller November 20, 2011
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Hyrule Symphony SrBehemoth January 27, 1999
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Original Soundtrack Freddie W December 18, 1998
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Re-Arranged Album Matt Gordon December 22, 1999
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Sound Track CD Patrick Gann November 21, 1998

Media