The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026) review - Switch 2's remake rediscovers a masterpiece all over again
Thirty years after its original release, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time returns. This isn't just a technical update for the Switch 2; it is a profound rediscovery of a masterpiece that uses modern refinements to enhance the very sense of wonder and flow that made the original legendary.
There is a specific kind of magic in playing a game when you are completely untethered from the world—no responsibilities, just hours of exploration. Years ago, a friend told me that the true magic of Ocarina of Time wasn't just in the gameplay, but in how the experience unfolded through shared discovery. Even three decades later, after revisiting the adventure in Nintendo's new remake, it is clear that this story is still worth telling. It remains an adventure so surprising, satisfying, and moving that it demands conversation.
A Masterpiece Reimagined
The core of the adventure remains intact. You still travel between different eras of Hyrule to defeat Ganon, starting in the Kokiri Forest and experiencing that heart-racing moment of riding Epona across Lon Lon Ranch. The world is still segmented into distinct zones, and the evocative intro of Link and Epona dashing over a misty hill remains as iconic as ever. However, the way you inhabit this world has fundamentally changed.
The most significant technical shift is the move away from fixed cameras. The remake implements a modern system with dual-stick controls—one for movement and one for the camera. This transforms spaces like Hyrule Castle Town from a series of pivoting, mechanical views into fluid, expansive environments. While some might miss the 'practical trick' feel of early 3D graphics, this change makes the world feel much more accessible to a new generation of players.
Visually, the update is a mixed bag of brilliance and stylistic shifts. The path to Zora's Domain is now a stunning scramble over cliffs and crags, and Jabu Jabu's Belly takes on a vibrant, almost surreal aesthetic. The Water Temple has been reimagined as a drowned Art Nouveau palace, and the Forest Temple feels like a dark, moody murder mansion overtaken by nature. Yet, some purists might find the newer, more 'Unreal Engine' look of the Gerudo territory a departure from the specific, slightly glitchy charm of the 1998 original.
The Power of Flow
The true brilliance of this remake lies in its subtle, transformative tweaks. The addition of a dedicated jump button and the ability to swap items via a trigger mini-menu—borrowed from the 3DS version—completely changes the pacing of the game. The Water Temple, once a source of frustration due to constant menu-diving for the Iron Boots, now allows for seamless experimentation. You can change water levels and react to the environment in real-time, turning a dreaded slog into a masterclass in environmental puzzle-solving.
These improvements don't feel like intrusive modernizations; they feel like the game is finally being allowed to breathe. By paring back some of the constant guidance from Navi and the Owl, and streamlining UI management, Nintendo has preserved the soul of the original while removing the friction that once hindered its brilliance.
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