It would look something along those lines, with minutes being deactivated when in 4:3 display (due to lack of space)

I'll look into it at the very least. I didn't want to show minutes because they're not actually important in the grand scheme, so it's just wasted space

Yeah. Green, blue, yellow, red, purple, and gold

As for my actual stance on it, I have no preferences, both have theirs pros & cons. If anything, it makes me want to explore more hybrid options and not stick to a single formula

I think a game like Echoes of Wisdom handled its open ended progression pretty well. There's always a risk that dungeons get easier the more you progress, which is a good argument for linearity & difficulty, but I believe it can be done well.

I'll do my best coming up with ideas!

I do, but I'm also not too concerned. Nintendo historically speaking, has gone after projects that threathened their business. That means every remake made available for free, games with suggestive content, games that are monetized. Very rare that they take down a fangame for the fun of it.

Hope I can do those experiences justice, then! :)

Some things are more fun than others. I've had the "pleasure" of redoing major parts of the engine recently and it's been the most boring, excrutiating and brain killing part of this entire project so far. But otherwise when it gets fun, it's really fun.

Warms the heart to read this kinda thing, thank you! :D
I'll continue doing my very best coming up with ideas that would fit into the originals while also being new.

Oh my, do I have the right video just for you! :)
bsky.app/profile/alex...

I haven't looked at the source code for the oracle games, but my systems do use z coordinates, altho it's a bit more complex than a simple value.