Remakes and Re-treads have become quite the sensation of late, with rumors surrounding remastered versions of Metal Gear and Halo to name a few. There is always a danger that instead of improving the faults or shortcomings of an older title, an HD or updated release will simply take the game, faults and all, into the current generation of gaming technology. That isn't the case with Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. According to Nintendo, the developers will be taking the opportunity to fix a few outstanding hiccups in the game's design, giving fans yet another reason to consider taking the game for a spin in three dimensions.

What many consider to be the best Zelda game to date, Ocarina of Time was not without its flaws. Even series creator, Eiji Aonuma has admitted that certain problems kept the title from being all it could be and he names the inventory system as one of the problems. Gamers may remember the trials and tribulations they went through once they got to the Water Temple, having to use the iron boots to traverse and solve certain problems.

Players might also remember what a pain it was to switch the boots on and off from the inventory screen and how it slowed down the game. No more, however, as the very layout of the 3DS will make the experience much more streamlined, and something Aonuma says it should have been.

A statement from Bill Trinen of Nintendo illustrates the matter in some more detail:

"...The fact that the water temple involved putting the iron boots on and off, taking them on, taking them off...To do that you had to press the start button , you'd have to switch over to your inventory screen, you'd have to scroll around to get down to your iron boots and then, of course, in between, you're switching out the iron boots with the hookshot and things like this.

"[Aonuma] feels he's finally able to provide the experience the way it should have been in the water temple...on the touch panel, you have access to your inventory, so instead of having to scroll down, to find all the different items you're going to have very simple and intuitive access to all the items and the equipment you're going to need."

The inventory system of Ocarina of Time, and most other Zelda games was always a part that felt a little under managed. Yes, it provided you access to your items which you could map to buttons, but it still felt a bit cumbersome to access. It's a minor complaint, but sometimes having quick access to inventory makes a difference in how the game flows, and those used to hotkeys will certainly preach the conveniences of them.

It's a relief to know that the original creators are able to take a second crack at a game being ported to the 3DS, and while you aren't going to be able to see gameplay of the inventory system at work, you can still see Link in action on the small screen.

Ocarina of Time 3D won't be the only game that will be receiving a touch-screen inventory, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D will also be receiving similar treatment, evidenced in the gameplay.

Do you think this is just the start of developers adjusting troublesome aspects of past games? Are you more likely to consider picking up a 3DS knowing that classic games may work even better on the handheld?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D will be releasing sometime in 2011 for the 3DS.

Source: CVG