Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Platform(s): N64, Nintendo Gamecube, iQue Player, Virtual Console
Genre: Action Adventure

Rating: Everyone
ESRB Content Descriptors: Animated Violence

The Scoop: Here we have one of the greatest games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Making it’s first appearance on the Nintendo 64, the series surely didn’t disappoint as it released it’s best title at the time. Not just a video game that represents a series, but also represents a whole console. If you’ve never owned a Nintendo console, this is the perfect reason to do so.

The Setup: This is a step back in time for The Legend of Zelda series as you’ll be playing a game that takes place about four years before the events of the proceeding titles. The story in Ocarina of Time is pretty simple, but one of the most captivating stories to date.

You play as Link, the main character is The Legend of Zeldaseries. The game starts off as you’re being awaken by a fairy who then brings you to the guardian of your village as you find out he has been cursed and it now dying. After breaking the curse, your guardian tells you that a “wicked man of the desert” is planning on taking over the kingdom of Hyrule and it then becomes your duty to save your kingdom.

The story here spans throughout about ten years of Links life as in the beginning of the game, you’ll take on the role of a child, but throughout the game, your character will progress into adulthood as you watch the kingdom of Hyrule basically burn until you save it.

What’s Hot: Ocarina of Timejam packs a 256-megabit Nintendo 64 cartridge with more beauty and detail than any game on the console. The big start in perfection with gaming started with Ocarina of Time.

• Story: A classic story is present here in Ocarina of Timeas you’ll find yourself becoming more and more involved in the game to the point where everything matters. With nothing but destruction ahead, can Link save the kingdom of Hyrule from utter chaos?
• Graphics: The graphics are superb here! I remember playing this game back in 1998 and being wowed by how much detail this game presented. A very unique view that definitley stands the tests of time and remains as beautiful game, even today.
• Sound: It’s be a complete lie if somebody said that audio didn’t matter in a video game that didn’t present itself with a voice cast. I think that nonsense and this game proves it. The most beautiful and memorable soundtrack remains as part of Ocarina of Time. Nothing but gorgeous music and amazing sound effects come out of your speakers while playing this game.
• Re-playability: You’ll find yourself playing this game for years to come as it’s over ten years later, and it remains as one of my favorite video games.

Final Verdict:Anybody can enjoy this game and recognize that it’s one of the best N64 games available. Definitely a memorable experience and a video game you’ll be playing for many years to come. Not only does Ocarina of Time get my recommendation to any gamer, but it also gets a solid 5 star rating.

Make sure to check out The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Virtual Console!

Rating: Teen
ESRB Content Descriptors: Blood, Animated Violence

The Scoop: Goldeneye 007 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Rare and released for the Nintendo 64 in 1997. The video game is based off the movie of the same name and features the same characters from the film.

The Setup: With the same idea as the film, James Bond is sent to the Byelomorye Dam in Arkhangelsk, Soviet Union in 1986, where M16 has discovered a secret chemical weapons facility. Bond is sent to infilitrate the facility by bungee jumping off the dam and soon meets up with his partner, fellow 00-agent Alec Trevelyan. Things turn haywire on the mission and Bond must escape the facility. Soon after, faces turn heel and buildings blow up. Goldeneye 007 remains as one of the best and most action packed first-person shooter games for the N64 console.

What’s Hot: Many games come and go. Most don’t stand the test of time, but Goldeneye 007 has aged gracefully and still remains as one of the most nistalgic games in my collection. Several pro’s come with this title that make it a timeless classic.

• Story: The James Bond movies are synonomys for having a great story involving a great plot, gorgeous women and lots of explosions. The gaming franchise is no different as it offers just as many explosions, and plot that stands equal to the films and some highly pixelated yet gorgeous women.
• Graphics: The graphics were superb for N64 visuals. The enviornments were spot on to that of the Goldeneye movie.
• Audio: The awesome Bond music is present in this game which really adds to the sound. Superb voice acting from the same cast of the Goldeneye film and some amazing sound effects make this game definite ear candy coming out of your audio system.
• Multiplayer: In my opinion, Rare perfected the multiplayer function for the N64 first-person shooter titles. Not only could you play with four other friends, but Rare’s creation also inspired many other future first-person shooters such as, Perfect Dark and Turok 2: Seeds of Evil.

What’s Not: Besides a few frame rate issues, there’s really nothing bad to say about Goldeneye 007.

Final Verdict: Now in the year 2009, the first-person shooter genre has dramatically changed from what it used to be ten years ago. Games like Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark and Turok dominated the Nintendo console. Not only that but they inspired a whole generation of first-person games. If you’re a fan of first-person shooters or James Bond, this is the game for you.  5 stars and a solid recommendation.