What ‘Legend of Zelda’ Superfan Jon Batiste Thinks of ‘Ocarina of Time’ Remake and the Game’s Iconic Score

Eiji Aonuma, a respected figure in video games and producer behind some of Nintendo's biggest hits, expressed nervousness as he anticipates player reactions to the remake of the classic Zelda game, Ocarina of Time. The 63-year-old Japanese creator has guided the series for over 25 years, with many considering it one of the best video games ever made. Ocarina of Time, released in 1998, was the first project Aonuma worked on with Miyamoto, Nintendo's legendary inventor and creator of Mario.

The original Ocarina of Time was groundbreaking for its time, featuring a sweeping story that shifted between the childhood and adulthood of its hero, Link. It introduced players to floating islands in the sky, a wind-swept ocean, and the adventures of green-clad warrior Link battling the evil demon Ganondorf across the ages to save Princess Zelda.

Aonuma, who studied design at university and learned 3D composition through traditional Japanese automatons called Karakuri dolls, aims to infuse the saga with a sense of exploration that he believes is the essence of Zelda today.

Some of the younger members of Aonuma's team have never played the original Ocarina, bringing fresh perspectives to the creative process for the remake. This diverse team has worked to ensure the new installment is engaging and fun, even with modern controls. Aonuma, recently honored with the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French culture ministry, expressed his happiness to continue guiding the next generation of developers as they envision future titles for the Zelda series.