The Legend of Zelda series has produced a fantastic series of adventures that span over numerous consoles. Each one innovative, loved, and aggravating in it’s own way.  (OF COURSE WE ARE COUNTING OFFICIAL GAMES…NO CD-I BULLSHIT!!!)

As with most beloved games, software developers see a chance to milk some more cash out of a game that is “past it’s prime”, that will sell for the nostalgic value alone. Look at the Virtual Console. It hawks games from every era and does so without mercy, knowing that if we catch a glimpse and a memory is triggered, we must have it.

This is what has happened with Ocarina. Let’s break it down (I will note any changes): Original – Master Collection (Came with the Master Quest) – Virtual Console (Same as Master Collection).

Now we have a fourth iteration. This game was beautiful to begin with back in the day. Now, it has a nostalgic factor as the sharp lines of polygons of Ganon’s nose reach out and poke your face unapologetically.

Ok. I’m being mean. They did a hell of a lot of work. So far I just finished the first run in with the Gorons and the 3D effect works flawlessly for the most part. It isn’t the type that can screw up your fun, and jack up any platforming like Rayman did. So far the only noticeable problem is when you come into Hyrule Castle. It looks a little blurry in that overhead view no matter what.

Let’s take a look at the comparison shots of the original release to the new one:

The gyroscopic “look” control is a neat idea but not feasible really. It can and will jack the 3D up and make swimming a pain. Unless you wanna rotate your whole body at times. Not my idea of a hot date.

But you can turn it off. Bonus! We’re not forced to utilize any of the system specific upgrades except the user interface…and if you don’t like that, you must be an elitist prick of gargantuan scale.

Having everything at the touch of a finger is an excellent direction. The ocarina has it’s own assigned touch zone (button?). There are three specific sub-screen slots – gear, map and items. You have I and II which are Touch Zone only and then finally Y X B. X and Y can be activated by Zone or Button.

Very nice touch. (See what I did there?)

Here is another set of screenshot comparisons. As you can see, the menu is cleaned up and is very well thought out:

If this title would’ve hit on launch, you could guarantee 3DS sales would’ve skyrocketed, just from fanboys alone. It was the first serious reason I lined up to pick up this expensive system. I still think that the need to make the games $10.00 more expensive is a bit insulting. 3D or not, the starting line up sucked save for Street Fighter, Rayman, and Dead or Alive Dimensions. Let’s see:  Two Fighters, and a Platformer. Two of which that were tweaked ports. The main reason for those games were to push what the system could do. An expensive Show Off.

I had more fun out of the AR Cards. I still think they’re a trip. Face Raiders? Yes please! Street Fighter, Rayman, Pilot Wings? Sold. I only own one game right now for the 3DS system and that is Ocarina.

$30-35.00 may be a better price tag for the games, especially if they’re just tweaked ports. Question is, does Ocarina fall within that category? Technically…yes. Honestly though, this is more of a labor of love as you can see from the pictures. I urge you to play it. Even with 3D off it screams over top of the original.

Let’s have another break down, M.C. Hammer style:

• Revamped graphics, beyond the original.
• Improved Sub-Menu, utilizing the touch (lower) screen.
• 3D that really makes it pop, but isn’t necessary to let the game shine.
• An epic Zelda adventure on the go. One that many consider to be the best ever.

My main complaints circle around the system itself. Battery life tends to really drain if you keep 3D on. Of course that is with any game on this system, but it really sucks if you’re in the middle of a dungeon and you get a red blinking light. You shut the lid, hoping you can make it to an outlet before it drops juice. I really don’t play it with 3D on until a boss fight or a movie. I’d rather play longer than have it “extra” pretty. It is beautiful enough as it is.

The next thing is cramps from playing for a bit. That could be my own physical problem, but even my daughter complains a bit every now and then. It IS Zelda, however. It is meant to be played in longer stints. Since I’m talking about controls, I’m going to gripe more about the gyroscopic view mechanism built into the game. I can sum it up with: If you’re playing with 3D on and this enabled, you will get pissed off. Period.

All in all, the minor gripes are outweighed by the fact that one of the best Zelda games has been totally reborn in this new generation. You may notice that it distinctly looks like a game from 1998, with sharp edges ready to cerebrally inject polygons, however instead of just a heartless port we get a game that has had every inch of it lovingly reworked. Like all of Nintendo’s main game franchises I might add.

With that said, it is a game from 1998. The story is well told by now by all who are old enough to have played the original, and are fans of the franchise in general. Does a fresh coat of paint and a few gadget implementations justify another $40.00 if you bought the original pressing at around $70.00 for the gold cartridge?

It is up to you. To me? I think it was worth it, but I’d have been a bit happier if the little chip-cart was gold instead of white. I may have to get out some paint!

Eye see you!