The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) – A Revolution for the Zelda Saga

The year 1998 marked a historic turning point for the The Legend of Zelda franchise with the release of Ocarina of Time on the legendary Nintendo 64. This leap into 3D was a risky bet for Nintendo, but they rose to the challenge. For many players, this installment is THE ultimate Zelda, the one that redefined the open-world adventure game.

The Story: An Epic Battle Against Ganondorf

In this legendary adventure, Ganondorf, the king of the Gerudo, seeks to seize the Triforce, the ultimate source of divine power, to dominate the sacred kingdom of Hyrule. As a young hero, Link is chosen by destiny to thwart his dark plans.

Accompanied by Navi, his loyal fairy companion, Link must explore a vast Hyrule, from the volcanic caves of Death Mountain to the mystical waters of Zora’s Domain, passing through the verdant plains of Hyrule and the sinister Shadow Temple.

Why is Ocarina of Time a Legend in Video Game History?

• A gameplay revolution: The first 3D Zelda, the game introduced Z-Targeting, a revolutionary targeting system still used in modern action games.
• An unforgettable time-travel experience: The ability to switch between Link's childhood and adulthood adds incredible depth to the gameplay.
• A legendary soundtrack: Koji Kondo, the iconic composer, crafted one of the most beautiful OSTs in video game history, with memorable themes like the Song of Storms and the Forest Medley.
• One of the highest-rated games of all time: With a score of 99/100 on Metacritic, it remains the highest-rated game in history and is often hailed as the greatest video game ever created.