The dream of a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake

For many years, fans of The Legend of Zelda have been eagerly waiting for Nintendo to release a high-definition remastered version of the beloved classic, Ocarina of Time. Despite being almost 30 years old, the game is still highly popular, and fans have been hoping for a modernized version with improved graphics and gameplay. The demand for a remake has been consistently high, making it a hot topic of discussion among the Nintendo community.

First released in 1998, Ocarina of Time revolutionized the action-adventure genre, setting new standards for game design that inspire many game developers even today. Its innovative dungeon design and time-travel mechanics were groundbreaking at the time, setting up as a blue-print for later Zelda releases and other games of similar genre. Despite multiple re-releases on subsequent Nintendo platforms, including a remaster on the Nintendo 3DS, fans have long yearned for a full-fledged remake that harnesses the power of modern technology to breathe new life into a timeless classic.

Some fans have even taken matters into their own hands and recreated large parts of the original game in game engines such as Unreal Engine 5.

Is the time now?

Nintendo has always been very sparse about re-releasing old games in a new modern look, but the Zelda series has had many remasters with games such as Winder Waker HD, Twilight Princess HD, and most recently, Skyward Sword HD on Switch. And with the recent releases and announcements of titles such as Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario: Thousand Year Old Door, and Luigi’s Mansion, the thought of re-releasing old games to new systems is surely something that has caught Nintendo’s attention lately.

So, could the time for an Ocarina of Time remaster be approaching? Personally, I think the time would be right for it. The demand does seem to be there, and there appears to be a Zelda drought happening right now. Nintendo needs to push for a new Zelda game reasonably soon to keep the momentum going.

However, Since the Nintendo Switch is likely running out of steam as a console, it would be wise for Nintendo to release it on their upcoming system, referred to as the Switch 2.

Developing a new open-world game like Zelda’s Breath of The Wild and Tears of the Kingdom requires a significant amount of time and money, and Nintendo is most likely already at hard work with their next major original Zelda game. While Nintendo is working on this next big Zelda adventure, they want to keep the fans engaged. Therefore, a remake of Ocarina of Time could serve as a temporary solution to fill the void. Additionally, this could also showcase the capabilities of the upcoming Switch 2.

A smart move for Nintendo would be to release a beautiful-looking remake of Zelda Ocarina of Time at the console’s launch. The Zelda franchise has a history of boosting console sales, as seen previously with the releases of Breath of the Wild and Twilight Princess on the Switch and the Wii, respectively. If an Ocarina of Time remake is available on the day of the Switch 2 launch, this could significantly increase its sales, especially if the game looks appealing enough.

Remaster v.s Remake

But a remake of Ocarina of Time isn’t just about graphical upgrades; it’s an opportunity to refine and expand upon the original experience while staying true to the game’s essence. With modern game design principles and technology, developers could introduce new features and quality-of-life improvements that enhance the gameplay without compromising its nostalgic appeal. From simplier inventory management to re-imagined combat mechanics, there are countless ways to modernize Ocarina of Time while preserving the elements that made it a classic in the first place.

Furthermore, a remake presents an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of Hyrule. Additional side quests, expanded lore, and new areas to explore could further immerse players in a world already explored by fans many years ago. Imagine having one of those old and crazy unanswered fan theories finally getting an actual in-game explanation.

Of course, an Ocarina of Time remake would also raise concerns among fans. Would the developers stay faithful to the classic version or take creative liberties in reimagining important aspects of the game? How would they balance modernizing the gameplay with preserving the nostalgic charm that made the original into a timeless classic?

Sometimes, the right thing to do is to not do anything at all, and if that is the case, a remaster would probably be a better choice rather than a remake.

With Nintendo’s next console on the horizon, the prospect of an Ocarina of Time remake seems more within grasp than ever before. The advancements in hardware capabilities would allow a totally new enhanced experience within an already-existing masterpiece.