Almost three decades have passed since The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time arrived on Nintendo 64 and set a new standard for 3D action-adventure games. Even to this day, the title is revered as one of the best video games ever created. So, if the remake report is true, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Nintendo keep the core experience intact, while focusing on updating the visuals on Switch 2. But that would be a missed opportunity to transform the classic into a modern marvel that caters to today’s audience.
In 1998, the developers behind Ocarina of Time created a revolutionary camera system with Z-targeting. By pressing the trigger button on the Nintendo 64 controller–which was equipped with a single analog stick–players could lock on to enemies for battling or key in on characters for engaging in dialogue. This 3D gameplay breakthrough actually came about during a theme park visit in Tokyo, according to an Iwata Asks interview in 2011. One team member remembers a ninja show in which a samurai caught a chain, linking the two adversaries. Meanwhile, another developer noted a fighter won a 1-vs.-20 battle because only one enemy attacked at a time. You can see how both of these origins led to the creation of Z-targeting.
It’s a credit to Ocarina of Time that variations of Z-targeting are still incorporated in modern games. However, dual sticks have been a part of the fabric of console gaming for roughly 25 years now, so players are much more comfortable navigating 3D space.
Ocarina of Time spends most of the intro in Kokiri Village focusing on the basics of Z-targeting. This will feel like such a slog if it’s not addressed. Plus, Link would feel so wooden throughout the game, especially considering he can’t even run in the original. Imagine, instead, if Nintendo expanded this area and gave Link abilities similar to Breath of the Wild–like, gasp, an actual jump button, too. Don’t overreact, though! A remake of Ocarina of Time shouldn’t become unstructured like Breath of the Wild, but instead borrow Link’s controls and abilities from the latter title.
This would also totally change up the combat, too. Ocarina of Time sees one enemy engage Link at a time, ensuring the player isn’t overwhelmed by multiple foes. Once again, this isn’t an issue for today’s players, especially after Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Additionally, Switch 2 offers just a tad more technical prowess than Nintendo 64, allowing for many more characters and monsters on screen at once. Imagine unleashing a bombchu at one group of adversaries, shooting ice arrows at a distant foe, and then swordfighting in close combat in succession in Hyrule Field as Adult Link.
Nintendo has already spruced up Ocarina of Time on 3DS back in 2011. Now it’s time to reimagine the game with a complete remake for Switch 2, one that honors the art direction, story, and incredible dungeons of the original. But it shouldn’t be overly beholden to limitations of the mid-’90s.
