The Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time holds a 96 on Metacritic. The score comes from a run of perfect reviews and few complaints, which is a strong result for a game first released on the Nintendo 64 in 1998. This ocarina of time remake launches on 5 November and is one of the biggest Switch 2 exclusives so far.
Nintendo rebuilt the 1998 original in a new visual style. The soundtrack has been re-orchestrated, and the controls have been updated. The ocarina of time remake arrives 28 years after the original, and it keeps the layout that fans know.
Art director Aya Shida said puppet shows inspired the look. Shida argued that puppetry and practical effects films do not copy reality, yet they still make fantasy worlds feel believable. The team saw a link between those techniques and the nostalgia the original evokes.
Puppetry and practical craft aren’t the only route to believable fantasy, and Crafting an Epic Serpent Scene in Blender shows how 3D artists build similar drama.
The changes go beyond paint. Players now get:
- A jump button and a sprint option
- A modern camera
- Fully voiced cutscenes
- Redesigned dungeons and expanded character interactions
- A Threads of Time progress marker, viewable from the pause menu
How critics scored the ocarina of time remake
GamesRadar+ gave the remake five stars. Reviewer Anna Koselke called it “a remake for the ages,” and praised its visuals and newly voiced dialogue. She said Nintendo brought Hyrule to life without losing the charm of the original.
TechRadar also awarded five stars. Reviewer Josephine Watson called it “a thoroughly well-thought-out retelling of one of the most loved video games of all time.” She highlighted the redesigned locations, enemies, puzzles and soundtrack. TechRadar also said the remake could have been more ambitious, and that some of the original’s difficulty has been lost.
A safe recreation, or a bold one?
Game Informer gave the remake 9.25 out of 10. Reviewer Kyle Hilliard wrote that it is “a straightforward recreation. But an admittedly very good one.” He praised the visual overhaul and the improved camera. He also felt Nintendo played it safe, so the game looks new without feeling like an entirely new adventure.
Shacknews gave a perfect 10 out of 10 and called the remake “a tour de force that redefines what remakes can be.” Its review pointed to reworked combat and redesigned dungeons that make familiar mechanics feel fresh. It also singled out Navi, who now plays a much larger role as a companion.
Destructoid also gave a 10 out of 10. It called the remake “one of the best examples of how to properly reimagine an enduring masterpiece.” The review praised the visuals, the 60fps performance and the updated controls. It also said the game can feel a little too easy in places.
The Guardian‘s Keza MacDonald gave five stars and wrote that the remake is “a dream come true.” Her review compared Hyrule to detailed theatre scenery and Link to a handmade doll, with his equipment looking like exaggerated props. She argued that this stylised approach suits the fairytale quality of the original better than chasing photorealism.
Where the praise has limits
The main complaint concerns what this zelda remake leaves out. GamesRadar+ flagged the absence of Master Quest, the tougher version that returning players may want. It also criticised the single-save-file restriction.
Some reviewers say the challenge has softened. The generous clues and quality-of-life changes make the adventure easier, and Destructoid made the same point. Game Informer’s concern is about ambition rather than difficulty, since it wanted a more adventurous reinterpretation.
The same review said these flaws do little to diminish the game’s appeal.
A new generation gets to meet Hyrule
Ocarina of Time shaped the template for the 3D Zelda games. Its formula linked a large world to a set of puzzle-filled dungeons. The Verge noted that Breath of the Wild later built on that foundation with open-ended, player-led exploration. Many new players arrive at Ocarina of Time through that game, and the remake’s new progression marker is aimed at them.
Hyrule’s stylised look invites comparison with fantasy illustration, and Eric Hallquist’s Enigmatic Worlds of Forests and Ruins offers a moody digital counterpart worth exploring.
For longtime fans, this ocarina of time remake will feel familiar. The world layout, the sense of discovery and the fairytale tone all remain. The difference lies in the visual detail and smoother play that the N64 hardware could not deliver. Nintendo kept the map and changed the look, and for a game this well known, that trade may be the right one.
Sources & Links
Source: creativebloq.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the Metacritic score for the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake?
The Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time holds a 96 on Metacritic. The score comes from a run of perfect reviews and few complaints.
When does the Ocarina of Time remake launch on Switch 2?
The Ocarina of Time remake launches on 5 November. The article describes it as one of the biggest Switch 2 exclusives so far.
What new features does the Ocarina of Time remake add?
The remake adds a jump button and a sprint option, a modern camera, and fully voiced cutscenes. It also includes redesigned dungeons, expanded character interactions, and a Threads of Time progress marker viewable from the pause menu.
What content is missing from the Ocarina of Time remake?
GamesRadar+ noted that the remake leaves out Master Quest, the tougher version that returning players may want. It also criticised the game’s single-save-file restriction.
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