The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time looks to reinvent the N64-era classic for the modern, Nintendo Switch 2 platform. It takes a lot of what made that original game great, but also adds smart improvements that either smooth out some of the rough edges or give it gameplay that better fits in the current generation. Having played about 90 minutes of the Ocarina of Time remake, though, it’s fair to say that a lot of the changes and improvements are made with the fans in mind.
In particular, there is one element in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that, while small in scope, could become one of the game’s most talked about features. It won’t be at launch but I think that when the game has been out for a while, this element will be turned into something that fans can buy.
During our hands-on preview of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, there was a lot to cover. With such a short amount of time to see all the changes made and to explore familiar areas with new visuals and gameplay, it was hard to keep track. But one thing that stood out to me was the Threads of Time.
What is the Threads of Time in The Legend of Zelda?
By entering the pause menu in the game, there was a new option for the Threads of Time. This is present throughout the entire game, but for the demo, the focus was only on the Child Link version.
The Threads of Time works a little like a quest log, showing players how their journey has progressed, which key items they have collected, and what characters they have met along the way. Plenty of games do this in inventive ways and, in fact, the original The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time had a pretty nifty display that showed Link’s key items like his different tunics, the Ocarina, and which Temples he has completed.
In the Ocarina of Time remake, however, that concept is reimagined into a beautiful tapestry that evolves over time. There is a woven feel to it, with beautiful detail that charts where Link has been and also where the story might go. There are blank spaces teasing parts of the adventure to come, and new elements come in based on where you are in the game. As I mentioned, my gameplay preview for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was only 90 minutes, so I didn’t have as much time to pore over every detail of the Threads of Time, but I can’t wait to do that in the finished game.
Without spoilers, I can also mention that I saw the Adult Link Threads of Time screen and saw how it evolves even further. One can only imagine how the “finished” version will look by the time the credits roll.
The Threads of Time in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake
After players have finished The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s remake, you have to imagine that Nintendo will deliver some collectible version of the Threads of Time tapestry. Even if it’s just a poster, it would be amazing to have a real life version of the Threads of Time to hang on a wall or keep as part of a collection.
Obviously, the coolest way that Nintendo could capitalize on the Threads of Time is to make a real tapestry out of it, but it’s hard to imagine that being affordable for the average fan. No doubt if there is going to be some Threads of Time merch, there will be a real one, but I would put that in the same category as the Master Sword proplica. It’s a collectible that fans with some disposable income will own, but not everyone.
Either way, I highly encourage anyone who plays The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake to pop into the menu from time to time and check out the Threads of Time menu. It’s such a small part of the game but one that is really inventive. And hopefully, Nintendo lets us purchase our own version at some point.
