Having never played the 1998 original, I had a lot of questions going into Nintendo’s biggest remake yet, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026). Would I find the same magic so many others had decades prior, or was the highest-rated game ever on Metacritic more colored by nostalgia? Would the systems that the original helped pioneer still feel as fresh today, in an environment where those same systems have been iterated on and played with in the years since?
The answer is surprisingly simple: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is tremendous. The remake is an incredible adventure that proves the seminal experience of the past is just as strong today, made even more beautiful and smooth thanks to the new visuals and gameplay enhancements.
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time isn’t interested in tweaking the formula. The game follows the same story as the original. Link, a young adventurer, embarks on a massive adventure by Princess Zelda to save the realm of Hyrule, journeying across time itself to put a stop to the evil Ganondorf’s machinations. The core narrative is fun even if simple, a Saturday morning cartoon mashed together with a storybook. It’s elevated now with new cutscenes and presentation, but what shines is the sense of adventure as Link journeys around Hyrule.
The story charts a familiar and enjoyable course as Link embarks on his adventure.
Each new area you go to, whether in the present or future, is infused with so much personality that you can’t help but fall in love. Whether it’s the lush, dreamlike beginnings in Kokiri Forest, or the cragged stone of Death Mountain and Goron City, each space is brought to life with so much detail that just moving through it is a story in and of itself.
The characters are similarly interesting, leaving a mark on Link as he continues. The stubborn kindness of the bug-eyed Goron, the inventor at Lake Hylia who gives entirely useless advice – each new face joins the tapestry that Hyrule weaves at large.
The gameplay is as strong as ever, with Link journeying through both the present as a child and seven years in the future as an adult. Each era has its own dungeons and objectives, with side quests occasionally popping up to earn more rupees for upgrades and items.
The combat is a blast, and the action immerses players in the world.
The dungeons are pretty close to perfect, a fantastic mix of exploration, combat, and huge, memorable boss encounters. The fire dungeon is a personal favorite, a great blend of mechanics and experience that was a constant delight.
Combat is also a blast, where Link’s attacks feel appropriately heavy and impactful. Targeting onto an enemy lets Link strafe around and pop off well-timed attacks, watching the enemy’s movements to swing when safe.
You really feel each sword swing. There’s a blend of impact and sonic response that makes fighting even skeletons a delight. The bosses are similarly fantastic, with huge cutscenes as they come crashing into the arena. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time isn’t ever very difficult, but it is deeply satisfying and fun, a rewarding roller coaster ride that keeps the player gladly locked in for whatever comes next.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time appeals to our inner child.
The major change is the visuals, completely overhauled and recreated in a way that honors the original while creating the most graphically stunning game from Nintendo yet. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time feels ripped from the dreams and nightmares of a child, wrapped in whimsy and wonder that draws you in regardless of how old you are.
There’s so much love and excitement for our inner children at each turn, from the gorgeous lighting to the stunning detail. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a constant visual delight. It’s a stunning technical achievement that maintains a rock-solid 60fps regardless of whether it’s handheld or docked, which truly shows the Switch 2 has a bright future ahead.
These new visuals work so well because it feels like you, as the player, are peering into the memories of someone who has such obvious love for the original. Whether it’s the fiery depths of the Fire Temple, or just riding Epona across Hyrule Field, you can’t help but give in to the magic that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time creates.
No nostalgia is required to enjoy this masterful remake.
Even without that nostalgia, I felt like I was reliving an experience that I had witnessed but forgot about, one that felt familiar and new all at the same time. It proves that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time works not because of a remembered experience, but because the core experience here is so strong that it transcends time itself.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time does more than just visual uplifts. It also makes the experience feel modern. Link can now jump, which helps make the platforming sections feel more intuitive.
The camera is fully controllable anywhere you go, combat has been refined and is smoother, and some puzzles and sections have been reworked. Fans who’ve played the original will notice the changes, but for those of us here for the first time, it all blends to make The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time feel contemporary.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026) creates a dreamlike world to sink into.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a total delight on the Switch 2. It moves past nostalgia to create an experience that feels magical and massive. From the gorgeous new graphics that enhance what was already there in meaningful ways, to the actual adventure at the heart of it all, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the blueprint of what a remake should be.
It takes the decades-old original and brings it to modern audiences, with changes that honor its history while making it feel brand new. Even if you haven’t played the original, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time draws you into its dreamlike world and invites you to stay for the magical experience only it can create.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is out now on Nintendo Switch 2.
Rating
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time feels ripped from the dreams and nightmares of a child, wrapped in whimsy and wonder that draws you in regardless of how old you are.
