The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Reviews
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is a brilliant recreation of one of the greatest video games of all time.
In a lot of ways, the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time feels like a flex: the amount of confidence it probably took to take a 1998 game, and release it nearly 30 years later pretty much as-is is probably staggering. The late 1990s represent the formative dawn of the 3D gaming era, and a lot of the blueprints for modern 3D games were laid down then. To therefore take a game that was there right at the start – that, in fact, was one of the most significant of the games doing the aforementioned laying down of design principles followed to this day – and release it without making many (or frankly, nearly any) changes to the core design and mechanics represents either a startling degree of confidence, or hubris of the highest order. "The late 1990s represent the formative dawn of the 3D gaming era, and a lot of the blueprints for modern 3D games were laid down then." After all, in the nearly three decades since, video games have come such a long way.
Review: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a gorgeous remake of Link's most iconic adventure, every bit as wonderful as it ever was.
Time may have moved on, but some adventures are simply timeless, and this is one of them. Iconic temples, a whimsical new art style and an emotionally evocative soundtrack. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is, simply put, a masterpiece.
Some games don’t need a remake to be remembered. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the perfect example of this. Yet, with this Switch 2 version, Nintendo proves that a classic can still amaze even after all these years. From the very first seconds, I was once again swept up in an adventure that holds a special place in my gaming history. That unexpected lump in the throat when you start the game, the familiar intro, the music and the many little details: these are moments that remind you why you ever fell in love with video games in the first place. The beautiful world, the revamped soundtrack, the voice acting, the improved controls and the many activities make this a remake crafted with a great deal of love and respect. Of course, the challenge could have been a bit tougher here and there, but that hardly detracts from the overall experience. I literally enjoyed every single second of this game. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is much more than a trip down memory lane. It’s a magical journey where nostalgia and innovation go hand in hand. And sometimes it’s wonderful to be able to be that child from back then again, if only for a moment.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake focuses on faithfully recreating the qualities that earned the original widespread acclaim from both critics and players, while bringing the experience up to modern standards. Significantly enhanced graphics that highlight just how much time has passed, more nuanced facial expressions and smoother animations, a more immersive and lifelike world, and quality-of-life improvements that eliminate unnecessary frustrations all provide an opportunity to revisit this timeless masterpiece in greater comfort. However, the remake offers little in terms of innovation, making it difficult to give high marks for originality. Those hoping for a fresh or fundamentally different experience may also find their expectations unmet.
Review in Korean | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time handles its large task of passing the torch to a newer generation with ease. What was dated now feels new again, and this journey may be one of the most special remakes ever released with its stunning presentation on the Switch 2.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time revisits the classic with exquisite art direction, an engaging soundtrack, and refreshed, satisfying combat. Its attention to detail and gameplay improvements enrich the experience while preserving the spirit of the original. Although the reduced difficulty may disappoint those seeking a greater challenge, the overall package delivers a memorable adventure capable of captivating veterans and newcomers alike.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Nintendo didn't try to reinvent a classic, and that restraint pays off. This remake sharpens Ocarina of Time with better controls, a far stronger camera and gorgeous new visuals while keeping its identity intact. Some old frustrations remain, but it's still one of Switch 2's standout games.
No doubt The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake reminded me why I love this adventure. Beautifully refreshed Hyrule, smoother controls, and that unforgettable soundtrack make returning worthwhile. Inconsistent voice acting and an easy difficulty hold it back, but neither spoiled my journey. I came back to Hyrule for the memories—and left with new reasons to love it.
Revisiting The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with a visual refresh was every bit as special an experience as I had hoped—perhaps even a little bit more so. It’s truly striking to realize that everything I was playing has existed since 1998, yet it still managed to stir up so many emotions in me. It’s not a remake that tries to reinvent the wheel, but… between us? Ocarina of Time isn’t a game that needs that.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: is a beautiful adventure that excels at everything it sets out to do. Stunning visuals, unforgettable music, memorable characters, and rewarding exploration make it a truly special experience. It may not be particularly challenging, but it doesn't need to be. This is a game that reminds us why we fell in love with gaming in the first place.
Two eras intertwine in the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's remake: Nintendo skillfully melds the world and dungeon design of classic Zeldas with the movement and presentation of its more recent games, creating both a beautiful retelling of a legend and a rich adventure that stands on its own.
Alongside great judgement and clever tweaks, this astonishing remake has a proper ace up its sleeve.
Something about this remake moves me like its predecessor didn't.
Forget the jump button or the smooth framerate: Does The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time still feel like home? Yes, it does, even with a few changes that trigger a “back in my day” reaction.
Ocarina of Time is still a wonder of game design and a thrilling adventure. This remake smooths over some rough edges, leaves others intact, and lets what was so special about the original shine through.
Overall, this new Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is a visual tour-de-force, with a beautiful and intricate game world to explore with updated controls and camera. The character designs are off-putting, but the game is still something to be treasured, and after all these years, I may finally include it in my top five Zelda games.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a joy to revisit from start to finish thanks to its gorgeous 4K visuals, full orchestral score, and slick modern controls. It may not be a brand-new adventure, but it's the definitive remake fans have always wanted and easily the best way to experience the legendary game that started it all.
Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 is a stellar reimagining of the original, one that completely revamps the experience with stunning visuals, modernised gameplay, and vastly improved audio. Despite some minor blemishes, this is comfortably the most visually stunning work Nintendo has ever put out, and it's unquestionably the best way to play one of the most seminal games of all time.That said, it is a very safe remake. Despite lots of minor changes throughout, it's still essentially the same game you've likely already played, and so you might find it offers little challenge if you're familiar with the N64 original or 3DS remake. This makes the lack of Master Quest - or really any kind of hard mode - particularly glaring, but I'm hopeful it'll be added in the future.