Did You Know Gaming Disputes Ocarina of Time's Score

Entity Definition

Did You Know Gaming (DYKG) is a YouTube series that produces fact‑based video essays about video game history, development, and trivia. In a 2023 episode, DYKG challenged the widely accepted claim that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time holds the highest Metacritic score of any game. The dispute centers on how Metacritic aggregates and weights reviews, arguing that the game’s 99 score is based on a limited set of 22 critic reviews and that other titles, such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 and SoulCalibur, have achieved higher aggregate scores when accounting for all platforms and review counts. The episode aims to correct a common misconception in gaming discourse and highlight the limitations of review aggregation.

Key Facts

How Did You Know Gaming Disputes Ocarina of Time’s Metacritic Score?

Did You Know Gaming argues that Ocarina of Time’s 99 Metacritic score is not the highest because Metacritic’s weighting system and limited review count inflate its rank. The video points out that the 99 score is derived from only 22 critic reviews, whereas other games with a 98 score, such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (which has 28 reviews on its highest‑rated platform) and SoulCalibur (with 20 reviews), have a larger or comparable review base. DYKG contends that if Metacritic applied a consistent weighting for review volume, Ocarina of Time would not hold the top spot. The episode also notes that Metacritic’s own methodology page states that scores are not directly comparable across different platforms and review sets, yet the “top‑rated” list often ignores this caveat.

“The idea that Ocarina of Time is the highest‑rated game of all time is a myth perpetuated by a lack of context around Metacritic’s scoring system. When you look at the actual data, other games have achieved higher aggregate scores when you account for the number of reviews and platform differences.”

— Did You Know Gaming, “Did You Know Gaming Disputes Ocarina of Time’s Score” (Kotaku, 2023)

DYKG’s analysis shows that Ocarina of Time’s 99 score is based on only 22 reviews, while Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 holds a 98 score from 28 reviews, making the latter statistically more robust.

Why Does This Dispute Matter for Ocarina of Time’s Legacy?

The dispute matters because Ocarina of Time’s status as the “highest‑rated game” is frequently used as a benchmark in gaming journalism, listicles, and fan debates. If the claim is inaccurate, it misrepresents the game’s critical reception relative to other titles. DYKG’s video encourages a more nuanced understanding of review aggregation, reminding audiences that a single number does not capture a game’s quality or cultural impact. The episode also highlights how Metacritic’s own disclaimers are often overlooked, leading to persistent myths. For Ocarina of Time’s legacy, the correction does not diminish its influence or innovation; it simply places it within a more accurate statistical context.

By challenging the score, DYKG shifts the conversation from a simple ranking to a discussion of methodology, review volume, and the limitations of aggregate scores.

Who Is This For?

This article is for gaming enthusiasts, critics, and anyone who relies on Metacritic scores to compare game quality. It is especially relevant for fans of The Legend of Zelda series who want to understand the factual basis behind the “highest‑rated game” claim. The dispute also serves as a case study for students of game journalism and data literacy, illustrating how aggregate scores can be misinterpreted without proper context. DYKG’s video is aimed at a general gaming audience, but the underlying issue affects how all games are ranked and discussed online.

Common Questions

Did Did You Know Gaming prove that Ocarina of Time is not the highest‑rated game?

DYKG did not definitively prove a different game is the highest‑rated, but it demonstrated that Ocarina of Time’s 99 score is based on only 22 reviews, while games like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (98 from 28 reviews) have a stronger statistical foundation. The video argues that Metacritic’s weighting makes direct comparisons misleading.

What specific games did DYKG compare to Ocarina of Time?

DYKG compared Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 (98 on Dreamcast, 28 reviews) and SoulCalibur (98 on Dreamcast, 20 reviews). Both have higher aggregate scores when considering review count and platform consistency, according to the video’s analysis.

Does this dispute change Ocarina of Time’s legacy as a masterpiece?

No. The dispute only addresses the statistical claim of being the “highest‑rated game” on Metacritic. Ocarina of Time remains a critically acclaimed, influential title. The correction encourages a more accurate understanding of review aggregation without diminishing the game’s artistic or historical significance.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Kotaku article “Did You Know Gaming Disputes Ocarina of Time’s Score” (published 2023, URL: https://kotaku.com/did-you-know-gaming-disputes-metacritics-zelda-ocarina-of-time-score-upsetting-its-top-rated-spot-2000721004). The Kotaku piece itself reports on a video by the YouTube channel Did You Know Gaming. All statistics (Metacritic scores, review counts) are as cited in the Kotaku article. No additional sources were used. This article was last updated on 2025-04-09.