One dedicated Legend of Zelda fan has created a mod for Wind Waker that turns it into a previous title in the series: Ocarina of Time. What started as an April Fool's joke is now being developed into a full mod pack. So far, the project has no set release date.
Ocarina of Time was released for the Nintendo 64 and is considered by many to be the definitive Zelda experience. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time; in any case, it is certainly one of the most influential. While Wind Waker drew criticism at the time of its release for presenting a considerable departure from the series' norm in tone and art style, it has earned a following of its own since launching on the GameCube.
The mod, created by BigSharkZ, was originally announced via a video on his YouTube channel. The video showcases Link running through Hyrule Field and sneaking his way into Castle Town, just as he does in Ocarina of Time. There are also scenes showing off Kokiri Forest and Lon Lon Ranch. The art style is described by BigSharkZ as "a mix between [Wind Waker] and OoT." This is especially noticeable in the character animations. For example, Saria uses the same motions as Link's sister Aryll in Wind Waker. BigSharkZ calls his creation a proof of concept, stating that:
"While it is not a full or brand new game, all that was showcased here will someday be made available in the form of a mod pack! This video was made in two weeks with very little sleep, as a proof of concept to show some of what can be done with Wind Waker modding. However, please understand that this is a very large amount of work for a single person (Over a hundred hours were spent working on this, for example) and that my free time is often limited, so it will take a while to have a proper release, especially when I have many other projects in the works."
The biggest difference between the original Ocarina of Time and this mod is Malon from Lon Lon Ranch. With Link's permission, she becomes the controllable character, wielding a pitchfork and shield. Later footage also shows her with the Hylian Shield and Master Sword. The seagull mechanic returns from Wind Waker, reskinned to utilize OoT's Cuccos. Players can also fly using the birds in a method similar to Wind Waker's Deku Leaf.
BigSharkZ warns that while the mod pack is planned for an eventual release, a full recreation of Ocarina of Time would be next to impossible. They also clarify that Twilight Princess does not have the same modding capabilities at this time, so their skills are mostly confined to Wind Waker. But for those looking to mod their copy of WW, they posted a link to their GameBanana page. Individual mods available include the Malon mod seen in the video.
It's fascinating to see how Ocarina of Time would've looked and played using the cel-shaped art style and updated mechanics of its successor. The amount of time and effort put into what was originally intended as a joke is admirable. Even if there are no current plans to fully rebuild the classic title, it's still a neat exploration into two of The Legend of Zelda's most iconic titles.
Source: BigSharkZ, GameBanana