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.
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