Nintendo just rebuilt one of the most famous games ever made. The Ocarina of Time remake launched on 5 November 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, and the early verdict is close to unanimous.
It holds a 96 on Metacritic from 81 critics and a 95 on OpenCritic, where 100% of critics recommend it. For a game whose 1998 original still sits at the top of many all-time lists, that is a big bar to clear.
Here's what's new compared with the Nintendo 64 classic, what reviewers praised and criticised, how much it costs, and where Zelda fans are gathering on Discord.
At a glance - Released: 5 November 2026 - Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 only - Price: $59.99 digital, $69.99 physical (UK: £49.99 eShop, £58.99 physical) - Reviews: 96 on Metacritic, 95 on OpenCritic ("Mighty") - Publisher: Nintendo - Mode: single-player
🗡️ What Is the Ocarina of Time Remake?
Nintendo first revealed the remake at a Nintendo Direct on 9 June 2026, calling it "reborn exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2." The release date followed on 8 September at The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, where producer Eiji Aonuma showed an extended gameplay demo.
It's a full rebuild of the 1998 N64 game, which was already remade once for the 3DS in 2011. Game Informer describes the new look as "stylized realism," a big step from the blocky polygons of the original.
Young Link gliding over Lake Hylia in the Overview Trailer. Image: Nintendo via YouTube.
The story, dungeons and puzzles are the ones you remember. Creative Bloq's roundup of hands-on previews says Z-targeting combat, dungeon layouts and puzzle solutions are all unchanged.
🆕 What's New vs the Original
According to Nintendo's announcement, as reported by Gematsu, the remake adds:
- Overhauled visuals and orchestral music, plus faster load times and smoother performance
- Fully voiced cutscenes with expanded dialogue (previews note Link himself stays silent)
- Dedicated jump and run buttons, and right-stick camera control
- Remodelled locations, with a day and night cycle that now carries on inside towns
- Threads of Time, a tapestry that fills in as you progress and shows your next objective
- Hum your songs: sing or hum a melody into the Switch 2 microphone and Link plays it on his ocarina
Previews also report quicker item swapping, an on-screen map, optional minimal HUD settings and a smooth 60fps, up from roughly 20fps on the N64.
Approaching the Great Deku Tree in Mr. Aonuma's gameplay demo. Image: Nintendo via YouTube.
The game also supports ZELDA NOTES in the Nintendo Switch App, with a daily activity log, a photo-hunt mini game, a virtual ocarina and a quiz with over 2,000 questions. Two new amiibo, Young Link and Young Zelda, arrive in 2027 and unlock retro-styled masks.
⭐ Ocarina of Time Remake Reviews
| Outlet | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic (Switch 2) | 96, from 81 critics |
| OpenCritic | 95, "Mighty" |
| Critics who recommend it | 100% |
| Eurogamer | 5/5 |
| VGC | 5/5 |
| Wccftech | 9.5/10 |
| IGN | 9/10 |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 |
| RPG Site | 8/10 |
What critics loved
- The presentation. Wccftech called it a "new high-water mark for video game remakes," and GRYOnline.pl called it a benchmark for Switch 2 graphics.
- The balance. IGN praised how it blends classic Zelda world and dungeon design with modern movement and presentation.
- The tweaks. Eurogamer said "this astonishing remake has a proper ace up its sleeve," pointing to its "great judgement and clever tweaks."
What critics didn't
- It plays it safe. Nintendo Life called it a stellar reimagining but a very safe remake that may offer little challenge to returning players.
- Loading and voice work. SECTOR.sk flagged unnecessary loading screens and limited voice acting.
- Old habits. GamersGlobal noted Hyrule Field still feels empty, and PPE.pl found the combat simple and the difficulty low.
Eiji Aonuma shows off the ocarina feature. Image: Nintendo via YouTube.
💰 Price, Editions and Platforms
| Version | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Digital (eShop) | $59.99 | £49.99 |
| Physical | $69.99 | £58.99 |
The first print run of the physical edition has textured foil cover art, while supplies last. In Japan, it's 7,980 yen digital and 8,980 yen packaged.
It's a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, so there's no version for the original Switch. Nintendo also released a Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 console on 29 October, with Triforce designs on the console, dock and Joy-Con 2. Gematsu also reports an electric ocarina accessory from HORI that can play notes or full songs.
🤔 Is the Ocarina of Time Remake Worth It?
Yes, if you've never played it. VGC called it the definitive way for new players to discover the game, and almost every review agrees.
Probably yes for returning fans too, as long as you want the same adventure in a stunning new coat. If you were hoping for remixed dungeons or a harder challenge, Nintendo Life's "very safe remake" warning is worth keeping in mind.
💬 Ocarina of Time Remake on Discord
Nintendo doesn't run an official Zelda Discord server, so fans gather in community servers instead. The biggest is r/Zelda, the partnered server for the subreddit, with about 55,600 members and over 15,000 online when we checked on 4 November. It's not affiliated with Nintendo.
The Zelda Breath of the Wild & Tears of the Kingdom server is close behind with about 50,000 members, and it covers the whole series.
Expect busy spoiler channels this week, so mute them if you're still in the Forest Temple. A Discord server finder helps you compare more Zelda communities by size. Planning a launch-week playthrough night with friends? Our Discord events guide shows how to set one up, and our guide to setting up a gaming Discord server covers building your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Ocarina of Time remake come out?
5 November 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2.
Is the Ocarina of Time remake on the original Switch?
No. It's a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
How much does the Ocarina of Time remake cost?
$59.99 digital or $69.99 physical in the US, and £49.99 or £58.99 in the UK.
Is the Ocarina of Time remake good?
Critics think so. It has a 96 on Metacritic and a 95 on OpenCritic, with 100% of critics recommending it.
Are the dungeons different?
No. Previews and reviews say the dungeon layouts and puzzle solutions match the original, though the visuals, controls and presentation are rebuilt.
Can you hum the ocarina songs?
Yes. You can hum or sing a learned melody into the Switch 2 microphone, or play notes with buttons as before.
🎮 The Bottom Line
The Ocarina of Time remake is exactly what Nintendo promised: the 1998 classic, faithfully rebuilt, with modern controls and some of the best visuals on Switch 2. Critics are near unanimous, and the main complaint is that it rarely takes risks.
For newcomers it's an easy pick. For veterans, it's a beautiful excuse to finally revisit the Water Temple.
Are you replaying Ocarina of Time, or playing it for the very first time?
Sources
- Game Informer: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches this November, 8 September 2026
- Gematsu: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches November 5, 8 September 2026
- Shacknews: When is the release date of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake?
- Adnkronos: Nintendo to release Zelda game remake for Switch 2 Nov. 5, 9 September 2026
- VGC: Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake officially announced for Nintendo Switch 2, 9 June 2026
- Creative Bloq: 10 things the hands-on previews have told us, 15 October 2026
- Metacritic: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2)
- OpenCritic: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time reviews
- Nintendo Life: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2)
- Nintendo of America on YouTube: Overview Trailer
- Discord: r/Zelda server, checked 4 November 2026
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