I'm going to try something different with this article, I'm go to redirect my self from my traditional "top 10 list" and focus on one superbly created game, that would go down as a all time classic. Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, would be one of Nintendo's greatest achievements, and would recognize the full potential of the Nintendo 64. For me, this would be one of the few rare games i can pick up and play time and time again without ever getting bored, till this very day.


The definition of cool.


The starting screen, with the beautiful music from Hyrule field. I could watch Link ride on Epona for hours listening to it.

Before Elder Scrolls: Marrowind and Oblivion, game were very limited, with a set guideline of where to go, who to talk to, and what items to get. Then in 1998, Zelda: The Ocarina of Time was released around the world. For the first time in modern 3D gaming, you could roam a fully 3 dimensional world and go in to different areas and encounter different people with different quests and needs. Yes, the main quest was needed to unlock a lot of the areas, but that didn't stop the thrill seeking gamers from waiting in Hyrule field for night to come to farm for Ruppees from the skeletons that rise.


They may be cute, but when they start rolling, get out of the way!

Zora, beautiful, elegant, and damn near sexy.

Ganondorf chases princess Zelda right in front of Link.

The story line is beautiful, you play Link, a boy raised in amongst the people of the forest known as the Kokiri, they never grow up, and each of them has their own fairy to guide them. Except Link. For he is not a Kokiri, but a Hylian, a citizen of the empire of Hyrule, and he must take on a journey to stop the evil that is spreading in the land. He must fight his way through chomping plants, zombies, tall and dangerous mountains, even through a whales belly, all to save the land of Hyrule, and to protect the princess Zelda all with his faithful fairy side kick, Navi. He must go to each of the temples to obtain the elements that they have, from fire, forest, water, and shadow. Only with that and the Ocarina of Time, can he unlock the Temple of Time, and when you do, you get transported in to the dimension of the Sages, powerful beings who have protected the Temple and the holy relic that governs Hyrule, the Triforce. When you finally awake, you are no longer a boy, but a man, and with your new weapons and armours, you must bring Hyrule back from near shadow, and to protect Zelda, who is being tormented by the evil Ganondorf, who also has seeks the Triforce.


Yep, this was the message that mostly appeared on my screen, catching small fish was easy, but catching the big boys were bloody hard!

With beautiful game play, out standing physics, and a sound track that will make even the toughest FPS gamer cry in awe, Ocarina of Time offers something for everyone. Too mention something also, this game was also one of the few to get almost perfect scores from such reviewers as IGN, Gamespot, and Famitsu. A true example of what developers can do, even with a console that offered limited cartridge capabilities.


Ganondorf, the leader of the Gorudos.

Damn princess's, always need to be rescued.

My most memorable moments with this game, have to be in Dodongos cavern and the belly of the whale Lord Jabu-Jabu, where you have to rescue the Zora princess, i really got stuck so many times in this area, either constant falling in to pits, or dying by getting zapped by those large electric worms. And the boss wasn't easy as well, running around that block trying to him from behind was bloody near impossible. Another crazy thing i still love to do is go fishing, my dad absolutely loves fishing in Zelda, i mean catching a big 32 pounder was one of the greatest moments of my life.


Lord Jabu-Jabu, the giant fish which swallows you, you have to fight the bacteria living in side of him and rescue the Zora princess Ruto, only then can you escape.


One of the most frustrating yet fun quests in the game, you have to catch all of the missing Cuccos (Chickens) and bring them back in they're pen, but they run around like crazy.

But it just wasn't the characters and the quests that made this game amazing, it was the awesome weapons you get. When you are a boy, you get the sling shot, deku nuts and deku sticks, a kokiri sword and kokiri shield (that can easily burn in fire levels). But when you grow older, you get a much nicer Hyrule sword and shield, plus a boomerang, bombs, hook-shot, and my favourite, the awesomeness that is the bow and arrow.
Nothing says whooping ass like riding on Epona while at the same time sharp shooting ghouls with the first person effect of the bow and arrow.


The hookshot, so cool, spider man would be jealous.


The bow and arrow, my favourite!

As you progress through the game, you also encounter new armours, traditionally from your green out fit, you also obtain the blue tunic, which lets you swim deep under water, the fire tunic which prevents you from burning in fire levels, and of course the steel boots, which sink you to the bottom of the ocean when needed.
All this and so much more to experience. This is one of those games that i could right 5 articles on, but i will stick to this fairly short one, and leave the rest to those who have not yet experienced Zelda: The Ocarina of Time.

Cheers!