The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated games this year for the 3DS, and with less than a month until it hits the shelves, we were invited by Nintendo to try out a finished copy of the game at a special preview event at Vinopolis in London.

The walls of the venue were adorned with Hyrule Shields and Master Swords, a "Deku Tree" took its place in the centre of the room while familiar tunes like Zelda's Lullaby were played throughout the evening. Multiple 3DS booths lined each side of the room as well as an area with CRT televisions set up with the original N64 classic.

This was my first experience with Zelda on the 3DS, but the event let you go past the limitations placed on previous demo versions, which had featured the Kokiri Forest, inside the Great Deku Tree and the boss fight with Queen Gohma. In my limited play time I reached Hyrule Castle and the Temple of Time, which both looked beautifully re-mastered, before being ushered away to let someone else to have a go. To my disappointment, they reset the game after each player so I could not return and progress further into the game.

The original is not as pretty as I remembered from my childhood. The colours seemed washed out, characters were blocky and the frame rate of the newer version is considerably smoother. Link's model has a closer resemblance to that of Young Link in Super Smash Bros. Other characters that I noticed had been remodelled included Kaepora Gaebora, the wise old owl, who has a less blocky head than before.

There has been some criticism from fans saying that some of the screenshots are too colourful and that the water is too bright and unrealistic. With hands on experience, I feel the colour palette used works perfectly and creates a magical atmosphere much more effectively than the 1998 version. 3D effects aren't overused but add a touch of depth to the game and work very well. The fairies flying around Kokiri Forest looks brilliant on the 3DS screen.

Visuals are not the only thing to be enhanced. The bottom screen contains a small overworld/dungeon map, as well as details on the items equipped and access to the inventory. The 3DS has fewer buttons than the N64 controller but solves this problem by adding "I and II" buttons on the touch screen for assigning items onto as well as the X and Y buttons.

The ocarina no longer requires allocation to one of your item slots; it has its own button on the bottom left hand corner of the touch screen. Perhaps surprisingly, the ocarina isn't operated by blowing into the microphone like the panpipes in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks but by using the buttons L, R, A, X and Y (B is used to put away the ocarina). I tried recreating some of the melodies to see which buttons corresponded to each C button on the N64 controller: L (3DS) - A (N64), R � C down, Y � C left, A � C up and X � C right. Those who know the original button combinations off by heart like me will need to relearn them for this remake.

The last significant addition to the game interface is the addition of gyroscopic aiming. This worked smoothly but it is essential if using the 3D effect you move your head at the same pace as the 3DS to avoid losing focus. When in the heat of battle, it may be easier to stick with using the Circle Pad.

Ultimately, I left the event feeling that this is most definitely not just another port of the same game released 13 years ago. It is a proper remake which takes everything we loved about the original and takes it further with improved graphics and a fully re-mastered Hyrule, improvements to the interface thanks to the second screen and added challenges in the form of the Master Quest and Boss Battle modes. I eagerly look forward to returning to Hyrule when it launches on 17th June.

- Paul Muchmore

Unlike Paul I had played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D before and by virtue of being older remember the launch of the original and how much of an impact that had at the time. When I got my first chance to play the title back in January I was excited to see how one of the most defining games of my youth had stood the test of time. I queued eagerly and when I got a chance to play it I suddenly realised -- it felt like the same game.

However, after a longer playing period I realised that there is so much more to this than just a repackaging of the 1998 original. I think the environment of the last time I played the game didn't help, as crowded and noisy halls are not ideal playing conditions, and the fact I felt rushed because there were a lot of eager gamers around. With some more time to sit down and really engage with the game, rather than just try it out, I can safely say there is plenty available.

I won't go over how the game looks and controls, as Paul covered that above, other than say that this is more than just a lick of paint applied to an old title. Unlike the previous re-release this feels like a complete reworking and updating and it shows. The visuals have such a vividness to them that they immediately date the original.

While there will be no need to convince most people to try out the game, as it is surely going to become one of the console's biggest selling games, for anyone who is on the fence over the worry that they've been there and done that I can say that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D certainly does feel new. While most of it hasn't changed it feels refreshing to play it through again and for anyone looking for something new there is the Boss Battle mode, and to a lesser extent the Master Quest mode.

What has been changed and updated worked well when we played it. Whether there are some issues when we are able to play through the whole game will remain to be seen but for now we have a great deal of confidence in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. As we've said it will undoubtedly sell well simply because of the name but it should also help usher in a new generation of Zelda fans.

- Ashley Jones