Two new amiibo are on the way for Ocarina of Time remake, and they look fantastic – but what they unlock is seriously weirding me out.
Revealed during the latest Nintendo Direct livestream, these figures depict Young Link sitting on a stump with Navi the fairy and Young Zelda as she plays what I think might be the Ocarina of Time itself. As with all amiibo (and particularly the Legend of Zelda range like the new Mineru’s Construct that just went up for pre-order at Amazon), they’re impressively detailed so could be sold as mini statuettes in their own right… but that’s just the tip of the iceberg, because they also unlock in-game items. In this case, deeply cursed masks of their former selves.
Yes, you’ll be able to wear a mask of original Link or Zelda in all their polygonal glory after using these amiibo in the Ocarina of Time remake. Judging by the stream, there won’t be any other benefit – just the ability to parade around in a chilling facsimile of their faces with one hell of a dead-eyed stare.
While I understand the idea in principle, there’s something unsettling about the execution; besides it feeling odd for Link to run around Hyrule wearing his old face like a pint-sized version of Michael Myers, it’s jarring to see the crisp, highly detailed character model under a pixelated mug with edges so sharp they could cut someone.
Still, at least the amiibo themselves are fantastic. The attention to detail is every bit as meticulous as you’d expect from modern amiibo, and Link is a fun nod to the past. Taking a break on a log while Navi the fairy perches on his hand, this image is pulled directly from artwork for the original game. That makes it a neat ode to N64 Ocarina of Time that anyone who grew up with the game will appreciate.
This wasn’t the only merch unveiled during the stream; besides the reveal of a new Lego Link and Epona kit, Nintendo just showed off an electronic Master Sword to accompany new Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake, as well as a playable ocarina. These are shaping up to be some of the best Legend of Zelda merch already…
- See all Legend of Zelda amiibo at Amazon