Nintendo's remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has received an impressive 9.5 out of 10 review score ahead of its November 5, 2026, release on Nintendo Switch 2.
The remake preserves the original game's story and overall structure while introducing modern graphics, improved controls, redesigned environments and an orchestrated soundtrack.
Early reviews particularly praise the recreation of Hyrule, smoother combat and thoughtful improvements to the game's classic dungeons.
However, some changes have made puzzles easier, potentially disappointing players who prefer the difficulty of the original Nintendo 64 release.
Ocarina of Time Remake Features Improved Graphics and 60 FPS Gameplay
Nintendo has rebuilt Hyrule with significantly more detailed environments and character models while maintaining the visual identity of the original game.
The new character designs use a puppet inspired appearance, giving familiar characters distinctive expressions and animations.
Major story sequences now feature expanded cinematics and voice acting, adding more detail to important moments involving Link, Zelda and Ganondorf.
The soundtrack has also been fully orchestrated, with updated arrangements of the original compositions.
Performance is another notable improvement, with the remake reportedly maintaining a stable 60 FPS throughout gameplay.
Nintendo has modernized movement by adding full camera control through the right analog stick, a dedicated jump button and unlimited sprinting.
Combat retains the original targeting system, although improved animations and more aggressive enemies make encounters feel faster.
Nintendo Redesigns Dungeons While Preserving the Original Story
The remake follows the same main storyline and progression as the 1998 release, but individual areas contain numerous adjustments.
Dungeons feature redesigned environments, modified puzzles and clearer navigation.
The Water Temple, previously known for its confusing layout, now includes more visually distinct areas to make exploration easier.
Bombable walls are also more noticeable, while many timed challenges have been simplified.
Outside the dungeons, Castle Town has been rebuilt as a fully three dimensional environment, and Hyrule Field includes additional landmarks.
Nintendo has also redesigned portions of the Hyrule Castle infiltration sequence.
Despite these improvements, switching secondary items through the new horizontal menu can feel less convenient than the original control arrangement.
The main campaign takes approximately 20 to 25 hours to complete, with optional collectibles extending playtime closer to 30 hours.
Overall, early impressions suggest the remake successfully modernizes Ocarina of Time while preserving the storytelling, exploration and dungeon design that established its reputation.
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