Ocarina of Time 3DS/N64 screenshot comparisons

When it wasfirst revealedat E3 2010, the 3DS remake of Ocarina of Timeappeared to be just that - a direct conversion of the N64 game, nowwith3D effects. Closer inspection of the provided screenshots, however, suggested the new edition may sport enhanced graphics as well. At the time, it was hard to tell, as we only had a few images to work with. Now it's a bit easier, as Nintendo recently released five new shots from the first and second dungeons that we can directly compare against the aging N64 classic.


Above: A Link to the past... and the future

I've gone about this two different ways. First, Iblew upthe 3DS screens so they would be the same size as the N64 shots. You'll see more jagged edges in the 3DS images this way (they're not meant to be scaled up) but you can make out the differences much easier. On the next page, I flipped the process and left the 3DS images alone while shrinking the N64 images. For the record, I'm playing the N64 version of OoT as it appeared on the GameCube collector's disc.

Kokiri Village


N64:Notice the sprout on top of thehut in the background, and the fact you can't see the Kokiri villager standing next to the blue rupee until you're like 10 steps away


3DS:The same area of Kokiri Village. Compare the hut, the now-visible villager and even Link against the N64 version. Higher poly count, better textures, though still somewhat hazy. That could be for "mystical fairy" effect though


Above: Another angle from the N64 version. Notice how many goddamn button prompts are on the screen, most of which are moved to the touch screen on 3DS

Deku Tree Skulltulla


N64: Link swiping at a giant Skulltulla in the first dungeon


3DS: The exact pose from this screen was tough to match, but you can still get a feel for the improved, cleaner visuals. Link is noticeablyless angularand the webs aren't a blurry mess

Ghoma


N64: The game's very first boss, as seen with 1998 technology


3DS: Ghoma in 2011, with sharper colors, a more defined "lair" and less misty fog along the floor. It's also easier to tell what the hell Ghoma even is


N64: Link swinging at Ghoma with the target reticle locked on. Again, the 3DS version has far less clutter on the top screen, so, it'll be nice to see more of the actual game once that stuff is moved to the touch screen

Next page: More comparisons, including the titanic Dodongo!

Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.