A fantastic, readily accessible new 3DS take on one of the greatest video games ever created.
Those of you who have played the original Nintendo 64 or GameCube releases will be delighted to discover that everything from those games has made the transition fully intact and is exactly as you remember it. The major differences between the older versions and the 3DS port are the updated graphics and touch-screen functionality. The player can instantly call up specific items using the stylus, and there is less of a burden on the game screen, giving you a clearer, focused view of the action. The graphic updates are relatively minor,but they do a good job in giving Ocarina of Time 3DS a fresh coat of paint on an already good-looking automobile. What is immediately noticeable on the outset is the game doing away with most of the N64's anti-aliasing, leaving room for cleaner, brighter textures and new facial designs for existing characters. Link and his friends (and enemies) have never looked better. Some of the game environments have also been given a bit of a facelift, and the crisp textures implicate a startling sense of detail that wasn't readily apparent in the older releases. It's almost like a whole new world that's strikingly familiar. The 3D effects bring some feeling of innerward depth to the experience and, while it isn't strikingly stunning, it does look pretty cool. However, the 3D option for Ocarina of Time 3D, as in most other media, varies from person to person and is solely dependant on their tolerance. 3D is a controversial vibe---some people enjoy it, others can't stand it. Some can play the game in 3D for extended periods, others will feel sick and nauseous after a while. For all intents and purposes, however, Ocarina of Time 3DS maintains its visual splendor in either case and looks great; it can be enjoyed with or without the 3D effects.
As far as gameplay is concerned, Ocarina of Time holds well on the 3DS' control scheme, which is good news for veterans who played the original release. The circle pad is precise and accurate, and button functions for attacking, moving boxes and targeting are readily available within arm's length when a situation calls for it. But the 3DS port takes it one step further; offering a greater accessibility towards newcomers by introducing a handful of neat new features. Aiming now takes full advantage of the 3DS's innermost gyroscoping technology---meaning you can move and rotate your 3DS like a submarine periscope accordingly for better precision. Of course, if you prefer the traditional analog aiming mechanism of the original game, that option is also available, but the gyroscoping is pretty neat in and of itself and, in many cases, makes aiming a lot easier. Going back to the stylus and touch-screen functionality, Ocarina of Time 3DS eliminates much of the bothersome drudgeries of having to navigate menus and interrupting the flow of gameplay by means of a control pad and complex buttons. Everything you need is right there on your touch screen and easily accessible with one tap of the stylus---dungeon maps, equipment, items, heart containers, and so forth. On most accounts, it alleviates the frustrations of item management during heated moments. Both veterans of the older games and newcomers can duly appreciate the touch screen functionality and its merits, keeping things simple and not getting in the way of the overall experience.
The only disappointment of the entire package is that the Master Quest (a retread of Ocarina of Time with increased difficulty and rearranged dungeons) is not readily available on the outset, and can only be unlocked after the player finishes the main game at least once. This might prove to be a downer for more experienced Ocarina of Time veterans who were hoping to jump right into that, but in all fairness, going through the original game with its updated visuals and other knick-knacks can never truly be a bad thing. I know of many people who have told me before that they, like myself, wouldn't mind revisiting Ocarina of Time over and over again because of the unforgettable gaming experience found therein. 3DS owners both young and old, fans and newcomers, adults and children; they will all get the same chance. And with the 3DS' portability, you can take it with you wherever you go. Whoever you happen to be, you can do absolutely no wrong with Ocarina of Time 3DS. It is a must-own for your library, and pays appropriate homage to one of the greatest video games ever made.