A 1998 Nintendo Title Has Been Named the 'Most Overrated Video Game of All Time'

After a Nintendo video game from 1998 was almost universally praised for decades, it was suddenly given an extremely dubious distinction. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been named the 'most overrated video game of all time."

Why This 1998 Video Game Was Called the ‘Most Overrated' Ever

In January 2025, an article published by Brock Press named Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time the 'most overrated video game of all time.' While the piece recognized it as an enjoyable and landmark title, it argued that the game's greatness is overstated because it is viewed through nostalgia goggles.

The article wasn't written by someone who dislikes the game. Instead, the writer urged readers to look at its pros and cons objectively based on its content alone. Mostly, the piece argued that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time shouldn't be included in lists of the best games of all time because some modern games completely outclass it. A much more recent Zelda game was used as an example of that.

"As someone who doesn’t have the towering bias that is childhood nostalgia clouding my view of the game, it’s easy to see many other games that have surpassed it in virtually every way... Take the 2017 Zelda installment, Breath of the Wild, as an example. While no game can truly ever be considered 'perfect,' it builds on many of the ideas created by Ocarina of Time by setting Link in a larger, more dynamic world for his adventure. Ocarina of Time certainly played a role in Breath of the Wild’s success, but I personally consider the latter to be a grander, more exciting, and fun adventure."

While the piece wasn't published on a major outlet, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has notably been labeled overrated elsewhere. For example, a September 2024 CBR article called it the "most overrated Zelda game" ever. Fans on the PSN Profiles forum have also extensively debated whether it is overrated, with many stating it is.

Despite Some Calling it Overrated, 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' Remains Largely Beloved

Anyone who loves The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time can rest assured that it receives far more praise than criticism. A perfect example of that was when it was named the best Nintendo 64 game ever released. It also earned an incredible 99 score on Metacritic, and Game Informer's readers voted it the greatest game of all time as part of a fascinating list. Those are only a handful of the many examples of times it was lavished with accolades by experts and fans alike.