The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Reviews
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.
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.
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.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of the all-time greatest games, of that there's no doubt, and this remake is a glorious way to re-experience this adventure. Nintendo strikes an excellent balance between keeping much of the original feel and the modern niceties of graphics, controls and design. Sure, it might take a little while to get used to the new look, but we should be used to that with Zelda games by now...
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s Switch 2 remake is a remarkable restoration of one of gaming’s most beloved adventures. Rather than reinventing a masterpiece, Nintendo has carefully refined what made it special, creating the definitive way for a new generation to discover it and returning players to fall in love all over again.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time delivers one of the best-looking games on the Switch 2 and a nostalgic trip that will show new generations of players what made this game so special.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a remarkably faithful remake that captures the feel of the original. It’s a game brimming with old-school mechanics and design choices, with all its strengths and a few weaknesses. Finally, it represents the pinnacle of the franchise’s graphical achievements and serves as a true benchmark for the Switch 2’s capabilities. The original Ocarina was a landmark title for the entire gaming industry, but even if you’re not interested in OoT’s influence or the Legend of Zelda series, you should still give it a go. A wonderful adventure awaits you, in a style that is, sadly, becoming increasingly rare.
Review in Polish | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time proves that truly timeless game design can remain just as enjoyable nearly 30 years later. Its enchanting world, memorable characters, clever puzzles and excellent dungeons are brought to life through beautiful visuals and an outstanding soundtrack. Unnecessary loading screens, limited voice acting and the inability to complete side quests after the ending are disappointing omissions, but they do little to diminish what is one of the most joyful gaming experiences of the year.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake is a stunning, fairy-tale adventure that, thanks to its refreshed visuals, streamlined gameplay and new features, manages to enchant players all over again. Although the simple combat system and low difficulty level are a reminder of the original’s age, exploring Hyrule and discovering new temples still provide plenty of enjoyment. Nintendo has produced an excellent remake that will delight loyal fans of the series and allow a new generation of players to experience one of the industry’s greatest legends.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Captivating, enchanting, mesmerizing whether you’ve played the original or not. An adventure you won’t soon forget, with its immaculately designed dungeons, inventive use of tools and items and world that is condensed to offer countless tales and secrets without the bloat. Simply amazing.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Ocarina of Time proves mostly, that it is timeless fun. Besides the flashy graphics, the more fleshed out cutscenes improve the story and the seamless day-night-cycle boosts the atmosphere. But the empty Hyrule Field connecting everything isn't elevated.
Review in German | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an absolute masterpiece, in addition to being the best game on the Nintendo Switch 2, and one of the frontrunners for the best game of 2026.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time returns with a stunning visual remake that brings new life to one of Nintendo’s most beloved adventures. The enhanced environments, detailed character models, improved lighting, and Canadian French voice acting make Hyrule more immersive than ever. Gameplay improvements such as free jumping, quick-access item menus, and the beautifully designed Hyrule tapestry modernize the experience while respecting the original. It's a wonderful opportunity to rediscover a timeless classic.
Review in French | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of the all-time classics of video games, returning in a new version that strikes a delicate balance between respect for the acclaimed original and technological updates. It is a simple experience by today’s standards, but its thrilling action and adventure are precisely the kind of escapism that this industry really needs right now.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It's an remake that didn't venture into significant changes because they mostly weren't necessary. Even 28 years after the original Ocarina, it is easy to recognize the quality in its gameplay, story, and design, now accompanied by a lavish presentation that feels like a generational leap compared to the original.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Few games have ever reached, or will ever reach, the heights it has. Fittingly, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time transcends time and maintains its seat as one of the best video games in the world.
Essential, magical, wonderful: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a stone cold classic, and something nobody should miss out on.
It is difficult to overstate the importance of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to the gaming industry and generations of players. A masterpiece since 1998, it helped shape the future of 3D gaming, and this remarkable reconstruction demonstrates Nintendo’s respect for its legacy. From rebuilt environments and expressive characters to refined controls and enhanced exploration, every improvement modernizes the experience without sacrificing its identity. To me, this is the definitive version of Ocarina of Time, a tribute that honors the past while introducing a new generation to its magic. Time may change Hyrule, but it will never erase a legend. Some adventures live forever in our hearts, and Ocarina of Time is eternal.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ocarina of Time is a beautiful reminder of why I fell in love with gaming. Nintendo has captured the magic of a legendary adventure with a stunning remake that feels wonderfully nostalgic while still fresh. I loved every moment of returning to Hyrule, and this is a heartfelt tribute to one of gaming’s greatest classics.