Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update segment recently tackled the proximity of two major game releases: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake and Grand Theft Auto 6. The sketch features Mikey Day as Link and Marcello Hernandez as Jason, the protagonists of their respective games, engaging in a comically immature argument over which title is superior.
The humor stems from the stark contrasts between the two games. Jason criticizes Ocarina of Time for its perceived lack of sex appeal, violence, and engaging 'baddies.' In contrast, he praises Grand Theft Auto 6 for reveling in 'destruction, chaos, and sex.' While presented as a lighthearted skit, it touches on the core differences that drive the massive anticipation for GTA 6, even among a broader audience beyond typical gamers.
The two titles clearly target different player demographics and experiences. The Legend of Zelda series, exemplified by Ocarina of Time, typically offers a more serene adventure focused on exploration, puzzle-solving, and uncovering lore. Grand Theft Auto 6, on the other hand, promises a fast-paced, action-heavy experience steeped in morally ambiguous narratives involving drugs, sex, and violence. This distinction is highlighted by their respective ratings: Grand Theft Auto 6 is rated M, while Ocarina of Time is rated E10+, a difference SNL suggests contributes to GTA's broad appeal.
These fundamental differences may also explain why a significant portion of Grand Theft Auto fans do not engage with other types of video games. Nintendo's Ocarina of Time Remake is set to launch on November 5, with Grand Theft Auto 6 following just two weeks later on November 19. As Weekend Update anchor Colin Jost observed, the timing of these releases effectively creates a 'Barbenheimer of video games.'