No matter what your opinion is on the art style, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is shaping up to be a brilliant remake

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is receiving a substantial remake for Nintendo Switch 2, launching November 5th. Multiple gaming outlets have published hands-on previews following media events, with reception widely positive despite some initial skepticism about modernizing the 1998 classic.

The remake represents a more ambitious reimagining than the 2011 3DS version, featuring updated visuals with a new art style and modernized controls. Notable quality-of-life improvements include a dedicated jump button—absent in the original N64 game—which reviewers say enhances gameplay without transforming it into a platformer. The notoriously verbose tutorial owl, Kaepora Gaebora, is reportedly less talkative, addressing one of the original’s notorious frustrations.

Preview coverage emphasizes the remake successfully balances reverence for the original design with meaningful modernization. Reviewers initially skeptical of another Ocarina remake reported being convinced by hands-on experience. Updated visuals receive consistent praise as “breathtaking,” and revamped controls make exploration and combat feel natural to contemporary players.

Some observations note that Hyrule Field, once groundbreaking for 3D open-world exploration, feels more modest by modern standards—a reminder of game design evolution since 1998. Despite this, outlets describe the remake as the best-playing, best-looking version of the classic, with improvements addressing frustrations while maintaining timeless core design. The game appears poised to be a standout Switch 2 launch title.

No matter what your opinion is on the art style, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is shaping up to be a brilliant remake

Sources