Zelda Fans Shocked by How Small Ocarina of Time Map Really Is

by

Summary

  • Ocarina of Time fans are surprised at its small map size, despite it feeling expansive due to good game design.
  • Current Zelda games have huge maps, like Breath of the Wild, with content that spans over a hundred hours.
  • It remains to be seen if the next main Zelda title will continue the trend of big worlds.

As a die-hard Zelda fan, I’ve found myself scratching my head lately when comparing the map of the original Ocarina of Time to those in more recent games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. It’s mind-boggling how small it seems now, considering the grandeur we felt when first exploring its world back in the day. Even though Ocarina of Time is still hailed as one of the greatest Zelda games ever made, revisiting its official map after delving into the expansive landscapes of modern entries can feel quite disorienting.

Originally launched for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” has also been adapted for other Nintendo systems like the Wii and Switch. This iconic game from the ’90s is renowned for its exceptional gameplay and exploration, often being reminisced fondly due to these very factors.

More recently, a gamer identified as Link_sega5486 observed that the game ‘Ocarina of Time’ has a relatively small map, sparking a debate among the gaming community about how vast its world initially seemed when players first delved into it. Upon examining the map provided by the player, it becomes clear that ‘Ocarina of Time’ primarily encompasses a large expanse known as Hyrule Field, with most other areas accessible via linear paths. Notably, the dungeons in ‘Ocarina of Time’ are absent from this map and would likely increase its size significantly. However, the perception of the world feeling expansive during the 90s was largely due to clever game design, as each location was rich with content to discover rather than being large simply for the sake of it.

Zelda Players Are Surprised With How Big Ocarina of Time Feels Despite its Small Map Size

The more astonishing it becomes to discover just how condensed Ocarina of Time is, especially when you consider that modern Zelda games boast expansive maps rivaling other well-known open-world games in size. Take, for instance, the world in Tears of Kingdoms, which spans approximately 46 square miles and offers content that can keep players engaged for over a hundred hours of exploration.

It’s uncertain if the upcoming main installment of the “Legend of Zelda” series will maintain the trend of expanding worlds like its predecessors, but for now, fans can look forward to “Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment,” a spin-off that won’t emphasize exploration as much. Fans might have to hold off for a few years before they can get their hands on the next major “Zelda” game, but rest assured, it will likely be filled with exciting content as always.

Read More

2025-05-16 22:06