The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Switch 2
Release Date: 5th November, 2026
Price: $69.99 – Available Here

Overview

Ocarina of Time isn’t just a legendary title; it’s the centrepiece of the entire Legend of Zelda franchise. This classic has been named the greatest game of all time over and over again. Mostly, it’s a home for a lot of us who grew up with it. When Nintendo revealed an updated version with a brand new look earlier this year, fans grew warm and excited. Now, release is upon us, and we now have what could be an amazing remake of a classic on the Switch 2. Does it still hold weight today? Let’s find out.

Story

Most know the story here, but if you forgot, it goes something like this. A young kid named Link is chosen by the Great Deku Tree to stop the evil Ganondorf, unite with Zelda, and save the Triforce before it falls to darkness. The story has always been solid and just fine, but the world of Hyrule is really what makes this title feel so comfortable. NPCs make the world come alive with their own stories and perspectives, all of which change as events continue to unfold. There is a living, breathing world that you get to adventure in here, and that is really where the imagination and wonder of Ocarina of Time comes in. Mostly everything has stayed the same, but some minor nuances have been added to give the world a little more of a fleshed-out feel, bringing our narrative to life in a whole new way. I will be honest: I like Zelda but never chose it over other Nintendo IPs as a kid, and I was still drawn in with this nostalgia and a giant smile as I revisited this old place in a whole new way. The tale here is still great, and has never been told better with the new features added.

Gameplay

Not a lot has changed when it comes to the standard controls for the actual gameplay. Link still has his standard swords, bow, slingshot, and bombs, and all are easy to pick and use without much issue. The newest feature that really changes everything is now an assigned jump button. It sounds silly that having an actual button to pounce would make the same feel so sharp and modernised without harming that original feel, but Nintendo have pulled that effort off well.

Organisation of your bag and tools has also gotten a facelift as well. Now you can seamlessly switch between items with the shoulder buttons, allowing for a much smoother experience without jumping back and forth to change inventory. I don’t think I minded that all too much back in the day, but the update feels great and helps create a more fluid experience for the player. I don’t know if I could go back at this point to the old way. Speaking of the old way, nothing else has really been updated, but that is fine, as this journey is mainly about its modernised sound and visuals, and if it wasn’t really broken, there was not a ton to really fix. I know some wanted some features of Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, but I feel that not adapting those gimmicks keeps this title preserved as it should be.

Everything else may be the same, but it still feels excellent. Swimming is no longer much of a problem as the controls feel tighter. Dungeons are simple, and most of the same placement of items and switches remain the same, but again – that is fine, as most who are looking to revisit Link here are going to be wanting that. I feel like Ocarina of Time was so perfectly paced and thought out when it released that it really set a bar for the industry as a whole. Making changes could have changed that formula, and I am elated to say that everything is mostly perfect here, from the tight combat to the inquisitive puzzles. That is before you even get to the smashing of pots and grabbing chickens, which are really just minor nuances that make this game so time endearing. 

Audio

This is where this remake begins to evolve from a remake to something far more special. The orchestral arrangements sound amazing on the Switch 2. There are moments of emotion woven into this score. When we lose the Deku Tree, when we first meet the Princess, and in each battle as tension escalates. It’s a legendary score that sounds like never before. In some ways, it may be too perfect, as I was so captivated and giddy when those first notes were played. Voice acting has gotten a major facelift. Yes, we now have a fully voiced experience, but it actually sounds great. Navi can now speak, and her little voice fits better, no longer coming off as an annoying “LISTEN“, in exchange for more meaningful dialogue. Other characters sound great as well, finally fleshing out old personalities with fine voicework that fits and adds to what we already knew. There is a lot that could have gone wrong here, but Nintendo have handled it all with a ton of care.

Visuals

Link’s tunic is so detailed I feel I spent a lot of time just stopping and admiring every little thread in his attire. The Switch 2 promised power, and surprisingly – this title may be where it is on display the most. The animations are so much more pronounced. Cities feel so huge and busy. Fields are begging you to poke around as grass and particles dance around your feet. This isn’t just an upgrade; it is an entirely new way to see Hyrule and may be the best interpretation of that to date. There is just so much polish and so little in terms of flaws or hiccups that it really creates a feeling you are playing a whole new game. 

Overall

How do you really rate one of the greatest games of all time? We all have stories of how we first played it, moments where we mapped out dungeons and planned for hours to take down one area at a time. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an absolute system seller for the Switch 2, as it is able to successfully sell nostalgia to the older crowd while introducing new generations to a classic without cracking the case of prestige that protects it. This really is a perfect game improved upon, and Nintendo is showing why they are still alive in the market 30 years past and beyond. 

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