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

Nintendo’s highly anticipated remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 launches November 5, 2026, building on a more ambitious foundation than the previous 3DS version. Hands-on previews from multiple outlets praise the remake for successfully balancing modernization with reverence for the 1998 Nintendo 64 classic.

The remake features substantially overhauled visuals and streamlined gameplay improvements that make the experience feel contemporary. Notable quality-of-life changes include a new dedicated jump button—a controversial addition that previews confirm works seamlessly without transforming the game into a platformer. The infamous tutorial owl, Kaepora Gaebora, has been made less talkative, addressing one of the original game’s most notorious frustrations.

New features include a “Hall of Fallen Foes” mode allowing players to replay defeated bosses, enhanced ocarina support that lets players hum or play real instruments with in-game integration, and Zelda Notes for improved accessibility. All existing Zelda amiibo will provide in-game item bonuses, alongside two new figures: Young Link and Young Zelda.

Reviewers note the remake successfully addresses frustrations with the original while preserving what made Ocarina of Time a masterpiece. Some observe that Hyrule Field, while impressive in 1998, feels noticeably smaller by modern exploration standards. The physical edition features special textured foil packaging, and Nintendo has confirmed plans to continue physical game releases.

Sources

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