Which Video Game Is Considered a Fantasy Remake? The Ocarina of Time Case

The Most Cited Example

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) is widely regarded as a 3D remake/reimagining of A Link to the Past (1991). They share:

• Overall world map structure (Light World ≈ Hyrule Field + regions; Dark World ≈ adult era)
• Core dungeon progression order (Forest → Fire → Water → Shadow → Spirit)
• Key items (Master Sword, Hookshot, Bow, Bottles, Medallions ≈ Sages)
• Story beats (child → adult time jump, Ganondorf/Triforce, Zelda/Sheik)

Nuance: It's Not a 1:1 Remake

Ocarina innovated heavily—Z-targeting, 3D navigation, context-sensitive actions, cinematic storytelling. It reimagines ALTTP's design language in 3D rather than copying it directly. That's why "spiritual successor" or "reimagining" is often more accurate than "remake."

Other Notable Fantasy Remakes/Reimaginings

• Shadow of the Colossus (2005 / 2018 Remake): Reinterprets the "giant boss" fantasy lineage (Ico, Zelda).
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011): Evolves Morrowind's systems into a new setting—soft reboot of the series formula.
• Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020): Direct, modern reimagining of the 1997 classic with expanded narrative.
• Resident Evil 2/3/4 Remakes: Survival horror, but fantasy-adjacent (bio-organic weapons, gothic settings).
• Demon's Souls (2020): Ground-up remake of the 2009 dark fantasy origin of the Soulslike genre.

Defining "Fantasy Remake"

It depends on your criteria: strict asset-for-asset recreation (FF7 Remake, RE2 Remake) vs. structural/mechanical reimagining (Ocarina of Time, Skyrim). Most discussions center on the latter for fantasy due to the genre's evolutionary nature.