Man, why is this even a question? Here’s my own opinion…

My background: I grew up on Ocarina of Time, retackled and finished the game to completion this spring, and am currently doing a runthrough of Master Quest on the 3DS. As for Skyward Sword, I just recently finished it to full completion with over 60 hours of gameplay.

1. Controls

I can’t say much on Ocarina of Time because it is one of the first games I grew up on, so I had nothing to compare it with. However, the controls are very fluid and the z-targeting is one of the most helpful things ever. I still play Ocarina of Time every now and then, and the controls are up to standard even today.

Skyward Sword is what I feel like was Nintendo’s vision when they first released the Wii. It is very much 1 to 1, and there is minimal frustration when using the controls. It feels very natural to thrust the nunchuck forward to make a shield bash or wave the wiimote to the side to turn the page of the menu. (I personally love moving the nunchuck as if I’m pulling an arrow back when utilizing the bow) Unfortunately, when it becomes the basis for combat and puzzles, I start to lose interest. Before, Zelda games were about using your tools and wit, when now it seems that you are just proving that you can move the controller around or point at the screen over and over again. Motion controllers are cool, but they should only add to the game, not become the main element of it.

My vote: I’m pretty 50/50 about this so I just voted for both.

2. Bosses (Uh, this feels like a pretty random voting category but whatever…)

(See here for OoT bosses) In Ocarina of Time I liked the overall line-up of the bosses from Gohma to the Twinrova Sisters. The game featured some pretty classic guys such as Phantom Ganon and Volvagia, bosses who create such a feeling of fear and thrill in the player. Can’t complain too much about them, except it was sometimes confusing to figure out what to do next.

(See here for SS bosses) Skyward Sword? Freaking. Repeat. Bosses. Other than that? Most of them were pretty fun to fight against, especially my favorite/most hated one, Koloktos. I love how there are several different ways to defeat a boss, so there’s always something new when you replay them. This however does not mean I WANT to fight Ghirahim or the Imprisoned three times. That was a deal breaker for me. (Though boss music is pretty boss.)

My vote: Pretty even again, but the iceberg tipped in OoT’s favor because of damn repeat battles.

By the way… “Skyward Sword features the best final boss the Zelda series has EVER seen”…? REALLY?! A sword fight?! Well I… I GUESS…?

3. Tools

While Ocarina of Time’s gear had many cool items included in it, they tended to become useless as you earn new ones such as the slingshot and bow & arrow, and other items felt unnecessary such as the Great Fairies’ gifts and megaton hammer.

Skyward Sword is great for how each of Link’s tools has its place in his skillset. Though his arsenal seemed a bit random, (An artifact that blows wind and a flying mechanical bug…? ) each item had its individual use, even during battle. Though I felt the tools seemed to be used considerably less during the puzzles than previous Zelda games.

My vote: While I loved playing with Ocarina of Time’s items, Skyward Sword gets the vote because the game balanced all of the tools so well.

If we’re talking about means of transportation however, Epona wins. She always wins. (That and the flying was really unnecessary other than for getting Goddess Cube treasure…)

4. Story

Ocarina of Time is the classic tale of a hero not only saving the princess, but the entire world. The game did not need overplayed scenes or an elaborate story to create an entertaining experience and, with a diverse cast of characters and expansive environment, the player truly feels like he or she is out on an epic adventure out to save the land. Link traveling seven years into the future to become the Hero of Time has to be not only one of the most memorable moments in the Zelda series, but also in ga,ll;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;./ming history, period.

(Sorry, my dog just ran over the keyboard.)

As for Sykward Sword… In theory, going out to save your childhood-best-friend-turned-reincarnation-of-the-goddess sounds like a great story. But the way it is presented is NOT. I really did not give a crap about Zelda and did not have any motivation to go looking for her. Heck, I liked Groose the most, and I think he looks like a Christmas tree! Yes, Zelda’s trust in Link to save her was as mushy as can be, Impa’s lasting friendship with Zelda made me sad, and Ghirahim’s continuous frustration was amusing. However, the only time I ever enjoyed the story was during the few cutscenes.

For me, cutscenes in a video game never ever make the entire story. Maybe in a movie I would be satisfied with simply observing the characters, but this is a video game. I am the player, I am looking through the character’s eyes. I should feel the same thrill and intent as he or she does by playing the game, not watching it.

My vote: Skyward Sword sounds like a good story to read, but I’m going to go with my feelings and how much fun I had and vote for Ocarina of Time.

Final Results

Ocarina of Time - 2

Skyward Sword - 1

and a tie.

Skyward Sword has great concepts and ideas, but they simply did not pull together as well as Ocarina of Time— a classic that’s just too great to beat. And did I mention that it’s really fun to play?