GameRankings has MGS 4 ranked 87th overall, based on 76 reviews. MGS 4 shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as OoT

Vgchartz has it on 4th best game of all time ^^

That's one source. GameRankings takes all 76 reviews and comes up with an average rating, which is 92.92. OoT is first overall, based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 97.61. It's not even close really.

I think part of the reason that it did so well is becuse it was released so close to the time of the vote.  Most of the games in the Top 10 were pretty old.  The only exceptions to that were Mario Galaxy, and MGS4.  Even RE4 is over four years old.  Vote on this again in a few years and I wonder how MGS4 will fair.

I agree that MGS4 is from the story to level design to pacing. All perfect! Amazing bosses, superlative voice acting,, fun and diverse gameplay, etc.

MGS4 #1 woo!

Sure, the interaction with NPCs were brilliant with the whole mask stuff, and the three day mechanic was a very interesting concept... But what I'm saying is that the game was, basically, a sequel. It used the same engine and modified a few things like graphics and gameplay mechanics while still playing pretty much the same. I'm not saying sequels are automatically bad, but let's say it's easier to try different things with the same engines, some for the best or worst. I'd say MM is a mix of both, mixing new mechanics but also being too complicated for no reason at the same time. I have an interesting theory about all this, and my best example is with the Smash series, but that's for another thread! ;)

Overall, I don't think it's fair to give much credit to Majora's Mask for creating some new things when it's built on one of the best engines ever made, that's all. OOT had to exist in order for MM to exist. I'm not discrediting the game for bringing original concepts though, don't get me wrong. I still loves me my Majora's Mask! =P

Nope, because Zelda OOT was never the greatest game of all time anyway.

Then what game gets the credit?  You can't give it to OoT, because that game had none of the things I mentioned.  The credit has to go to MM.  That is the game where those new mechanics were implemented.  Besides, there are lots of different games that use the same engine, you can't just credit an engine with the ideas that are in the game.

Greatest Basketball player of all time?


Oh wait, Micheal Jordan!


So lets use this as an example!

Q:Did Micheal have the best statics ever in the NBA?
A: No


Q:Why is he considered the greatest?
A: Because he's so well known.

He went down as the greatest player of all time! But what about Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson? Oh wait, maybe stats don't mean everything.

Conclusion:

Oot is truly not the greatest of all time based on ratings.


Like it or not, but popularity is what truly decides greatness. And popularity isn't exactly on Oot side.

I don't really agree with what you are saying about popularity deciding greatness, but I'm going to leave that alone.

What I am going to take issue with is your last statement.  How can you say that OoT is not popular?  By the way, OoT is about to win another best game of all-time contest.  This time it is on GameFAQs by user vote.