Brain Full of Games

Yes, I know I said I was going to jump into FireRed after Crystal version in honor of the Switch releases earlier this year. But with the excitement of the new Ocarina of Time remake scheduled for this year (which means we will have it in 4 months or fewer!!!) and the 3DS copy I picked up on my Japan trip, I simply could not help myself.

Although I had never played the 3DS version so this was kinda a new experience for me, OoT for N64 is one of my most played games, with countless hours sunk into it since 1999. Additionally, I have probably run credits on that games 4 or 5 times. For no reason other than I like killing the Demon King I guess?

Speaking of- I love love love how characters call him the Demon King in the Japanese version! I feel like they don’t do it as often in the English translation… but it is hard to remember. Maybe I need to replay my N64 copy after all.

I don’t know how much recapping I really have to do for this game because I am assuming anyone reading this is pretty familiar with the game. As I’ve been playing it 1) in Japanese and 2) on the 3DS, both for the first time, I have been mostly focused on differences in the game play of the port and any major changes in dialogue or story that I can clock. I’m sure there is plenty I have missed, however, even with the assistance of the Google translation camera feature.

The game began much as it did 28 years ago, but I immediately noticed how beautiful the art is rendered on the 3DS. It looks smooth, bright, just lovely– I know some of the sweet brightness and color disappears when Link returns to Hyrule after his 7 years of slumber, but I can’t help but feel like actually quite a lot of this color will be preserved in the adult part of the game. But anyway: I grabbed the Kokiri sword, bought a shield, talked to some fairy folk, and entered the Great Deku Tree.

Immediately I was struck by the atmosphere and the great improvement of the enemies; the Deku babas were threatening, the face on the giant skulltulas threatening yet somehow a little silly. I was once again thrilled by the tight design of the Deku Tree; not a room or item or teaching opportunity wasted. The dungeon map is easily found; the compass is unnecessary and placed in a slightly less obvious spot; the wall skulltulas quickly teach you that you need to be quick and sneaky (and lucky), or look around for a ranged weapon. The room with the slingshot uses Navi to direct your attention to high up things that can be shot with a slingshot that are not necessarily enemies. She draws your attention to the web that can be broken by jumping from the top floor, and you meet Gold skulltulas.

I think I hear my cat climbing into the sewing machine box.

Yep.

It was pretty late when I picked this up as I got into bed, so I called it a night after the fight with Gohma. I’m very pleased to be revisiting this game now before the remake comes out. To be honest, the more I have thought about it, the less interested I have found myself in picking up a Switch 2 and the new Ocarina of Time. I’m hoping we get a proper trailer with, you know, some actual gameplay so I can make a decision sooner rather than later. I know the price of the Switch 2 is meant to increase. I would hope Nintendo wouldn’t be slimy enough to drop the trailer just after that price increase… I’m joking, of course! It’s Nintendo. They gotta make a buck.