Ep.13 – A Tale As Old As Time: Ocarina of Time and the Birth of 3D Adventure

In 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time brought the series into 3D and set a gold standard still cited decades later. Innovations like Z-targeting and context-sensitive controls solved the challenge of 3D combat, while the ocarina itself tied music and time directly to gameplay. From riding across Hyrule on Epona to struggling through the Water Temple, our discussion explores its story of Link, Zelda, and Ganon, and how it split the franchise timeline into branching paths. We share nostalgia from players who hail it as the “Sgt. Pepper’s of gaming” and criticism from those who now see its mechanics as dated. Yet its influence is undeniable, inspiring countless adventures that followed. Whether you remember NAVI’s endless “Hey! Listen!” or your first victory against Ganon, join us as we revisit one of gaming’s most celebrated masterpieces on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.

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