Last shown at Nintendo Space World last year, Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time is drawing huge crowds of spectators at Nintendo’s E3 booth. The changes from the earlier Nintendo Space World version are mostly limited to the number of levels players can access and play for themselves and the amount of items.

The innovative control system (dynamic B-Button, C-Buttons for secondary weapons) and the camera lock-on control (Z-Button) are unchanged, but Link can now acquire three sword upgrades (regular, Master Sword and Giant’s Dagger) and dress in three differently-colored outfits (green, red, blue).

Although we have previously reported on many of the areas and levels featured in the current version of Zelda, Nintendo surprised us with a number of previously unseen areas and features. Here are some of them:

Phantom Gannon Link enters an octagonal room with paintings on the walls that show castle scenery with a road leading into the distance. As Link is trying to find an exit from the room, a vortex opens on one of the paintings and out leaps the evil Gannondorf on the back of his black steed, complete with battle armor and helmet. After a short faceoff, Gannondorf rides through the room past Link and jumps through another opening into one of the paintings. Players watch in a awe as Gannondorf gallops down the painted road in the picture and emerges from another painting. Link has to use his bow and arrow to take out Gannondorf while he is outside the painting.

Grappling hook The innovative grappling hook makes a return in Zelda 64. Picture Link standing on a rooftop. By pressing the corresponding button (it depends which C-Button you assigned the grappling hook to), the view switches to a first-person perspective. Link can now shoot the hook shot over to another roof and pull himself across.

Outside Hyrule Castle This scene introduces the stealth elements in Zelda. Link makes his way into Hyrule castle without being seen by guards. The view point during these sequences switches to a high angle that shows the entire area in question. Hiding behind hedges, walls and bushes, Link quietly sneaks past the guards and eventually meets up with Zelda in the courtyard, who tells him that she is worried about her father’s new right hand man. As Link looks through a window to catch a glimpse of who she is talking about, Gannondorf slowly walks into the castle and kneels before the king.

Water Temple One of the most impressive sequences put into Zelda yet has Link fighting a water-based creature, reminiscent of the first alien encounter in the movie The Abyss. A long arm of shimmering, translucent water shoots out of an inside pool and picks up Link in an attempt to kill him.

Fire Dragon The Fire Dragon was first shown at Nintendo’s press conference and drew many cheers from the audience. A long, twirling lindworm emerges from a sea of lava and flies through the air, breathing fire and letting out blood-curdling screams.

Mystery Harp Player A mysterious, shrouded knight appears at key moments in the game and teaches Link magical melodies on his harp. Link can then use his ocarina and play back the melodies (via the A, B, and C-Buttons). The proper suite opens up secrets and grants Link access to new areas.

Dynamic Time Another new innovation is the visible passage of time. When running (or riding) through Zelda 64’s outdoors environments, the sun sets realistically (complete with lens flare), the sky turns orange and eventually, night falls. The sense of atmosphere and scope is unparalleled.