How "Zelda: Ocarina of Time" Shaped 30 Years of Game Design | N64 Retrospective 1998 | Gaming Through the Years
In 1998, Ocarina of Time showed the industry how 3D adventure games could work. This video essay looks at its gameplay systems, world design, music, and lasting impact to understand why it remains one of the most celebrated games ever made.
Time codes:
0:00 - Why "Zelda 64" Was So Important
4:10 - Ocarina of Time's Elegant Controls
6:54 - Structure & Design
11:20 - Story & Characters
14:02 - The Finale
15:59 - Music
17:14 - Where It Falters (Kinda)
19:39 - Sales & Reception
23:18 - Impact & Legacy
Endcard Artwork by OcaRockaRina (Twitter)
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Zelda: A Link to the Past,
Zelda: Link's Awakening, Super Mario 64,
Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D © 1987, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2011 Nintendo
Goldeneye 007, Banjo-Kazooie © 1997, 1998 Nintendo, Rare
Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon © 1993 Philips
Virtua Fighter © 1993, 1994 SEGA AM2
Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams... © 1996 SEGA, Sonic Team
Final Fantasy VII © 1997 Square
Resident Evil 2 © 1998, 1999 Capcom
Metal Gear Solid © 1998 Konami, Kojima Productions
Featuring Music by Koji Kondo
This video exists for the sake of analysis and review and is thus protected under Fair Use.
Comments (2)
Great timing for this one to come out considering I've been on an Ocarina of Time kick lately. I've never played it on the original N64 before a week ago, so it's been a very cool experience! Thanks for this video, you keep knocking these out the park.
Oh man this is a big one. I bet it'll do well on Youtube when it drops too. Can't wait to check it out later!