Ocarina of Time Coming to US Virtual Console

Wii

February 23, 2007, 12:41 pm EST
Total comments: 34

This Monday!

NINTENDO NEWS: NINTENDO TO RE-RELEASE ZELDA MASTERPIECE FOR WII

Feb. 23, 2007 - Every form of entertainment has its artistic pinnacles. On Monday, Nintendo will make The Legend of Zelda®: Ocarina of Time available for download in the Wii Shop Channel of the hot new Wii™ video game system. Originally released in November 1998 for the Nintendo 64® console, the game is widely considered by critics and industry observers to be one of the greatest video games of all time.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time inspired millions of players around the world with its in-depth game play, rich 3-D visuals and memorable adventures. It set the standard by which all other games have been judged. And now it’s available once again, both for veteran gamers to relive their gaming glory days and for younger players to discover it for the first time.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will be available for 1,000 Wii Points™ when it goes live at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Feb. 26. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. The Wii Shop Channel now boasts more than 55 downloadable classic games, in addition to the dozens of new disc-based games available for Wii.

Talkback

NWR_pap64Pedro Hernandez, Contributing WriterFebruary 23, 2007

I said it once and I'll say it again, Nintendo has DEFINITELY stepped up with the VC releases.

I just hope that, like someone suggested, they don't stop the minute the games are being released.

GamerGeorgeFebruary 23, 2007

Even though I already own this game not once, but twice for the GameCube, I'm going to buy it for Virtual Console to be able to play it with the WIi's Classic Controller and also to not have to insert a disc everytime I want to play it.

decoymanFebruary 23, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
I said it once and I'll say it again, Nintendo has DEFINITELY stepped up with the VC releases.

I just hope that, like someone suggested, they don't stop the minute the games are being released.

Do you mean, Nintendo is countering the lack of a flood of new Wii games with big VC releases? And that once big games like Mario, Metroid, Smash come out, we'll get NES Baseball-equivalent titles again?

Hmm... could be...

I'm not going to complain though!

pyrokamileonFebruary 23, 2007

but I thought most people didn't like playing N64 games with either the gamecube or classic controller?

well I already own the game three times, once on the N64, and I have to say I agree that the N64 controller is best for N64 games...

I'm just glad that for the people who don't already own the game multiple times on one system or another (or for some strange reason would like to own it again) they now have the opportunity to purchase and enjoy it like the rest of us have.

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusFebruary 23, 2007

Well here's one title to confirm/deny rumble support for N64. If it is removed, I wonder if the stone of agony gives you a visual clue now.

LuigiHannFebruary 23, 2007

I never had a rumble pack on the N64, so I'm gonna go ahead and assume that the Stone of Agony will do exactly what it did for me then: Absolutely nothing.

SheckyFebruary 23, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Bloodworth
Well here's one title to confirm/deny rumble support for N64. If it is removed, I wonder if the stone of agony gives you a visual clue now.

FWIW, rumble does work in the GCN ports. I doubt the visual clue. In the original game you get the message that it'll help you out *if* you insert a rumble pack (same with fishing). They might be able to let the emulator overlay something onscreen, but I doubt it as it would have no use in other games where the rumble is used as actual feedback.

IceColdFebruary 23, 2007

Quote
I just hope that, like someone suggested, they don't stop the minute the games are being released.

They will. The VC is being used as a bit of a crutch right now, but as soon as there is a healthier flow of Wii titles, you can say goodbye to what we're enjoying now.

I don't mind though; I have too much catching up to do for both Wii AND VC games.

CrimmJames Jones, Associate EditorFebruary 23, 2007

If they could make the speaker of the remote beep that might work...or just make the remote rumble. I mean you are attached to it if you're using classic controller.

EntroperFebruary 23, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Bloodworth
Well here's one title to confirm/deny rumble support for N64. If it is removed, I wonder if the stone of agony gives you a visual clue now.

The Ocarina of Time release on the bonus disc for Gamecube included rumble support, and it was basically running an N64 emulator on the Gamecube. ***Should*** be easy enough to run the same emulator on the Wii, with rumble support for Gamecube controllers.

TrueNerdFebruary 23, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: pyrokamileon
but I thought most people didn't like playing N64 games with either the gamecube or classic controller?

well I already own the game three times, once on the N64, and I have to say I agree that the N64 controller is best for N64 games...

Playing Super Mario 64 with my Wavebird makes me never want to even look at that three-pronged atrocity ever again. Srsly.

But, maybe that game is an anomaly in the Matrix and the rest of the N64 games control like poo with the GC pad.

wanderingFebruary 23, 2007

I already have the original, so I'm not going to spend money on an inferior version....but, if they ever release Majora's Mask, and it isn't a shoddy port like last time.....

Quote
Playing Super Mario 64 with my Wavebird makes me never want to even look at that three-pronged atrocity ever again. Srsly.

BLASPHEMY.

The TravellerFebruary 23, 2007

I wouldnt say the Cube versions or the VC version are inferior to the N64 cart. The Cube Oot looks better because it runs at a higher res, it looks much cleaner and is easier to look at than the N64 version. I also find the Cube controller fine for playing N64 games, but I dont think the VC controller would be very good for Oot.

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 23, 2007

It was fine except for the fact that the neutral zone of the Cube analog stick was too stupidly large to allow for precision aiming. Controls felt delayed as a result, and a certain shooting gallery in Majora's Mask is pretty much impossible to beat perfectly with such a control flaw.

NOT THAT I EXPECT THE VC VERSION TO FIX THIS EITHER

Bill AurionFebruary 23, 2007

Mmmm, I own this game in three ways, but that won't stop me from getting it again!

NWR_LindyJon Lindemann, Associate EditorFebruary 23, 2007

This is sweet. I have the Ocarina of Time/Master Quest disc, but I'll gladly pay $10 for the convenience of play OoT at the click of a button.

The VC doesn't stand for Virtual Console, it stands for Video Crack. And I'm buying.

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorFebruary 23, 2007

I am SOOOO giving Nintendo more of my money for this. /cry

I'm also waiting for someone to make a Classic Controller in the shape of an N64 controller. Please?

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

TansunnFebruary 23, 2007

In all honesty, this game has worn out its enjoyability for me. After beating it numerous times on the N64, and then getting it again twice on GCN, I have no desire to play it any more, and if I did, I'd just play one of the versions I already have. MAYBE I'll get it for VC if it has some significant improvements to framerate and such, but otherwise I'll pass this one up.

18 DaysFebruary 23, 2007

So is it cleaned up like Mario Kart was?

GoldenPhoenixFebruary 23, 2007

I hate Nintendo and they make sad all at once. I'm still struggling to keep up with all the great games already out like DKC, Contra 3, and others, so what do they do? Well release my 6th favorite game of all time!

KDR_11kFebruary 23, 2007

You didn't get that with Wind Waker?

CalibanFebruary 24, 2007

I will get this game, I've played it several times but I never "owned" it.
It will be easy to finish it quickly, to me it will almost be like a speed-run.

Shift KeyFebruary 24, 2007

Shouldn't that be "re-re-re-release" in the newspost?

And I'm not getting this. Call me a cynic, but having three versions of this (N64, Master Quest, VC) seems to be stupidly redundany. I must go and beat up my mate for the Zelda bonus disc that had MM on it. Then I can put away my N64 until I get the urge for some WCW/NWO hilarity.

EntroperFebruary 24, 2007

I think if you have the bonus disc, there's little point in buying it for the VC, since the bonus disc is playable on the Wii. I for one don't want to keep my N64 connected to my TV though, so I'd probably pick this up if I didn't have the bonus disc. I'll probably pick up Mario 64 at some point as well.

pyrokamileonFebruary 24, 2007

Ok so playing Super Mario 64 with some other newer version of a joystick (because the N64 one wasn't so good) does sound appealing. however a game like Ocarina of Time that uses the C buttons wouldn't be so good with a stick and thats where the N64 controller really shines.

I'd like to see someone release a different Wii remote to go with the Nunchuck, one that could act as an N64 second half... I mean what if instead of a remote the right half of the Wiimote/Nunchuck duo was just like the nunchuck but instead of having a joystick it was fatter and it had A, B and four C buttons? or maybe just A, B, X, Y but when you held one of the shoulder buttons A, B, X, Y changed to C up, C down, C left, and D right? I guess it's not such a good idea because not everyone would have one and no game developer could rely on any one person having one but it could be a nice new option for the VC...

KDR_11kFebruary 24, 2007

The classic controller has ten buttons in addition to the directional control and home button, the N64 had at most nine buttons accessible by two hands (i.e. counting only two shoulder buttons). While the C buttons wouldn't be as close together on the classic controller it wouldn't matter much for anything but the ocarina and that thing can be handled fine with the right analog stick.

SheckyFebruary 25, 2007

The GCN disc versions of this game allow it to be run at a sane resolution (as opposed to what the N64 spits out). That's the only reason to re-buy a N64 game I already own IMO. So I would re-buy the original Smash Bros., but I'll pass on OoT since I have a copy for the GCN.

EntroperFebruary 25, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
The classic controller has ten buttons in addition to the directional control and home button, the N64 had at most nine buttons accessible by two hands (i.e. counting only two shoulder buttons). While the C buttons wouldn't be as close together on the classic controller it wouldn't matter much for anything but the ocarina and that thing can be handled fine with the right analog stick.

Think about a game like KI Gold though. I'd want 6 buttons under my right thumb to play that, you just can't link combos as easily if you're forced to use some combination of thumb + shoulder buttons.

NeoThunderFebruary 25, 2007

I would agree though that if you want it, verses paying 40 or 50 bucks for a used copy of collectors disk or OoT bonus disk. Paying 10 bucks on Virtual Console is probley better

BloodworthDaniel Bloodworth, Staff AlumnusFebruary 25, 2007

It would be great if Nintendo released a pack of adapters for original NES, SNES, and N64 controllers. It can't be that hard to develop can it?

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorFebruary 25, 2007

Or third parties could do it...

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Blue PlantFebruary 25, 2007

Not hard at all.

EntroperFebruary 25, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
Or third parties could do it...

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Third parties have done it for the PC. RetroZone has USB adapters for several old controllers. The trick is software support -- there is no generic "controller" driver with a DirectInput API on the Wii, there is only whatever Nintendo provides with the Wii firmware. So a third-party controller would have to emulate a Wii controller over Bluetooth, or plug into the Wii Remote like the classic controller, and use the same protocol. Or it would have to emulate a Gamecube controller and plug into the Gamecube ports on top.

Not that any of this isn't doable, it's all doable. But Nintendo is pretty tight-lipped regarding these protocols, and reverse engineering has thus far met with very limited success regarding communications with the Wii Remote.

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorFebruary 25, 2007

Third parties already have their own versions of nunchucks. Their own versions of Classic Controllers doesn't seem a stretch at all!

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

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