All i can say...is never try to get into speed running with zelda OoT...it will drive you insane. I think that game with Super Mario 64 set the basics for all 3d adventure related games, so its a must play in my books.

True. In the end time considerations are a huge factor for 99% of games and there are a select few games that anyone can just pick up and appreciate what it just as much as someone did in the past. Ocarina of Time was the first 3D Zelda and it is my generations Zelda, but I do agree that it isn't as head over heels better than every other game in the series as many people make it out to be. Your last statement shows how great ocarina of time is though. The fact that you don't see what separates it from twilight princess shows what an accomplishment a much older game did. 

Yeah nostalgia plays a huge part in someone's favorites for sure. Goldeneye is still my favorite game to-date, but I admit that it is inferior to virtually every current generation FPS. Graphics are blocky, AI is bad, but I still would rather play some 007 than many of the current generation games. You get nostalgia for sure... I can remember thinking "OMG this AI is AMAZING!!!" when the bad guys would actually come to your location if you shot an automatic without a silencer.

But nostalgia has no bearing in my Zelda decision, I've played them all except for handhelds and the Gamecube... I wasn't a fan of the cartoony Zelda (though ironically I'm enjoying Phantom Hourglass so far.)

I mean think about it, games are supposed to get better as technology increases. Graphics improve, that's a no-brainer. Endings/story improve, now we use cut-scenes instead of simple text. Those are objective statements, topics like gameplay / controls will be subjective based on the reviewer.

Story goes a long way IMO, that's why RPGs are cult classics. No one plays RPGs because they like bashing A repeatedly during battles, they play them for the story. All of the Zeldas have great gameplay, but add in a story like OoT and you truly have a classic.

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I beat all of the Zeldas up to the Gamecube. Have Twilight Princess, but still have yet to beat it. I remember trying to gather up a bunch of heart pieces, and just finally not loading the game back up.

To the OP, I hope you have the original gold cartridge. Because playing the Fire Temple with the original Muslim chanting really does add to the overall atmosphere. Not to mention you have the original red blood in Ganon's final battle.

No, it's the grey one. I didn't even know there were differences between the two until this thread.. If I had a choice, I would have taken the gold version, but I digress, I didn't have that option.