The upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time appears to be a largely faithful modernization of the beloved Nintendo 64 title, incorporating updated visuals and quality-of-life enhancements. Among the changes is the controversial addition of a dedicated jump button, a feature notably absent from the original game. However, initial hands-on impressions suggest this change is a positive one, making the game feel more natural to play.
While the inclusion of a jump button might seem like a significant departure, it does not fundamentally alter Ocarina of Time into a platformer. The need to jump in the remake is described as occasional and straightforward, primarily used for clearing small environmental gaps. The game's level design was not built around complex jumping mechanics, and the remake does not appear to introduce such challenges.
During a demo covering the early game areas, including Kokiri Forest, Hyrule Field, Hyrule Castle Town, and portions of the Deku Tree and Forest Temple, the jump button proved useful. It facilitated hopping across streams in Kokiri Forest and clearing the small boulder obstacle to acquire Link's sword. In Hyrule Field, players could jump onto and off rocks with more control. Within dungeons like the Deku Tree and Forest Temple, jumping felt integrated into exploration, allowing for easier traversal, such as ascending vine-covered walls.
The most compelling argument for the jump button's inclusion is its seamless integration into modern gameplay expectations. The sensation of approaching a ledge and automatically jumping, as in the original, feels less intuitive when contrasted with the updated visuals and feel of the remake. The game looks and plays more like a contemporary title with the jump functionality. Although adding a jump button to Ocarina of Time might have initially seemed controversial, its instinctive feel after a short period of play suggests it was a wise decision, ultimately improving upon a classic.