The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake for Switch 2 Review

A Classic Reimagined

Nintendo's decision to remake The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Switch 2, celebrating the franchise's 40th anniversary, was met with eager anticipation and a touch of apprehension. For many fans, the original game holds cherished memories of inventive puzzles, revolutionary mechanics that shaped 3D action-adventure titles, and a beautifully crafted storyline.

Twenty-eight years after its initial release, the gaming landscape has evolved dramatically. Hardware limitations, even on the Switch 2, are far less restrictive, and the market offers a diverse range of experiences for every player.

In a world now populated by everything from niche simulators to AAA blockbusters and expansive multiverses, the question arises: can a remake of a decades-old game, which now feels comparatively simplistic, still find its place and stand among the best Nintendo Switch 2 titles?

A Faithful Yet Enhanced Revival

The sentiment of 'don't mess with perfection' naturally comes to mind when considering a remake of a game often cited as one of the highest-rated of all time. However, a remake without meaningful changes risks being perceived as a mere nostalgia-driven cash grab.

Defying this narrative, the Ocarina of Time remake demonstrates that classic Zelda remains relevant in contemporary gaming. It introduces significant additions and alterations across various aspects, from level design to voice acting and even new lore, all while maintaining faithfulness to the original material.

Every area of Hyrule has been revisited and refined, with few drastic changes but numerous improvements. A rich tapestry of flora and fauna, thick fog swirling at Link’s feet, organic terrain, and detailed furnishings bring each location to life.

The remake's storybook visual direction harmonizes beautifully with this newly detailed world, establishing its own distinct identity within the Zelda franchise. While its vivid style may not appeal to everyone, it is undeniably immersive, complemented by a rich, re-orchestrated soundtrack.

The source reviewer noted that walking into Zora’s Domain after completing the Water Temple and seeing it restored to its original splendor felt like a poignant full-circle moment. A particularly memorable interaction, not recalled from the original, involved repeatedly approaching King Zora from the side, which granted special 'standing close to the King' privileges.

The game performs exceptionally well, delivering a buttery-smooth locked 60 frames per second with no discernible lag. Although loading screens are still present, they cause minimal interruption. Controls are responsive, and the game is largely bug-free, with only one reported instance of a texture glitch in a waterfall.

The world feels more vibrant in multiple ways. While the urgency of racing to Hyrule Castle gates before nightfall from the original is missed, constant day-night cycles within towns now allow for greater observation of non-player characters' lives.

Despite remaining somewhat two-dimensional, the supporting cast is imbued with character, particularly through a new feature of the Mask of Truth, acquired via the Happy Mask Salesman quest line. When wearing the mask, players can uncover hidden truths about Hyrule's inhabitants, adding new dimensions to Link's encounters.

Exploration of the world and its secrets is encouraged through new mechanics like Fairy Messages, which replace some of Navi’s hints and offer rewards such as Rupees, Mana, or Hearts. Classic elements like Golden Skulltulas and Fairy Fountains also return. The source reviewer frequently sought out viewpoints to simply admire the world. Many collectibles, grottos, and boulders are in the same or very similar locations, but for those without a photographic memory of the original, rediscovering Hyrule offers ample enjoyment.

Some vocal performances ultimately won over the source reviewer by the game's conclusion, with Matt Mercer's reprisal as Ganondorf being particularly praised. However, other performances, such as Navi’s, were noted as less impactful compared to the original's iconic sound bites.

Despite minor vocal performance issues, every cutscene was a highlight. The extended dialogue adds depth and personality to the world, accompanied by enhanced cinematography. The narrative is richer than ever, celebrating the original game in appropriate ways.

Fluid Combat and Redesigned Temples

For players who have recently experienced the original, there is an immediate sense of liberation upon entering Kokiri Forest for the first time in the remake. The source reviewer described an irresistible urge to jump, dash, and manipulate the camera freely, celebrating the unhindered freedom of movement.

Combat also feels more fluid and engaging. While some waiting for openings remains, Link’s previously sluggish movements, cumbersome in-menu item swapping, and difficult crowd control have been addressed. Small details, such as the camera blurring the background when targeting enemies, help to minimize the visual distraction of other foes politely awaiting their turn.

Overall, the combat experience is significantly improved. Jumping and dodging, rapid weapon switching with the right trigger, and gyroscope-assisted aiming contribute to a massive improvement in pacing.

This enhanced pacing extends to Temple design, most notably in the infamous Water Temple, where Iron Boots can now be quick-equipped via the D-pad. While some temples feature more substantial overhauls than others, rooms and puzzles have generally been shrewdly redesigned, with new additions or expanded segments, such as in Hyrule Castle’s garden maze, which now includes a path through the castle kitchens.

The Ocarina of Time remake often shines brightest in its subtle adjustments. For instance, environmental changes in combat scenarios now make more narrative or gameplay sense. The source reviewer observed more dynamic platform design for Lizalfos in one Fire Temple room and new obstacles like acid pits replacing empty floor pits in locations such as the Forest Temple.

No fundamental changes to enemies were noted, but their scale and range have been adapted for foes like Iron Knuckles and certain bosses such as Volvagia. These adjustments, combined with tweaked attack strings, new moves, and higher stakes in some encounters, ensure Link’s more agile movements are still challenged in combat.

A More Accessible, Less Challenging Experience

Despite the improvements, the source reviewer indicated that difficulty is not a strong suit of the Ocarina of Time remake. While acknowledging the game's appeal to both children and adult nostalgia-seekers, the reviewer rarely ran out of health, suggesting the remake has become notably easier.

A similar trend applies to items; the source reviewer rarely needed to refill supplies. A new in-game item, the Business Deku Seed, summons a shopkeeper with potions and other provisions, a feature that further reduces the game's challenge and was considered a somewhat puzzling addition.

Furthermore, golden webs hinting at overworld Golden Skulltulas, along with more obvious traps and visual cues for important locations, doors, and boulders, meant that mental challenges were infrequent.

After completing the game, the source reviewer expressed disappointment that a Master Quest mode, designed to increase difficulty, was not offered. There is hope for its future inclusion, ideally not as paid DLC, as a greater challenge would address the primary complaint about the game.

While the reduced difficulty does not detract from the game's overall quality, as it fulfills the essential requirements of a good remake, the source reviewer felt a slight disappointment that most changes focused on optimizations and erred on the side of caution. The original Ocarina of Time was lauded for its creative solutions to hardware limitations, a challenge that the remake, at times, lacks, making it feel somewhat unremarkable.

Despite this minor reservation, it did not diminish the source reviewer's enjoyment or negate the remake's numerous strengths. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake feels like the game the developers would have created in the late 90s if contemporary hardware had allowed.

For the source reviewer, the world of Hyrule has been impactful in its third iteration, just as it was in its first. Whether for adults or children, this remake offers an unforgettable experience.

Should You Play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake?

At its core, this is a faithful and affectionate remake of the original Ocarina of Time. As such, a vast majority of Zelda fans will appreciate the efforts to reinvigorate the game for Zelda’s 40th Anniversary.

Many newer fans to the series may have only played the more recent open-world titles or dabbled in ports of older games. This remake offers new fans the chance to experience a significant part of The Legend of Zelda’s history without sacrificing the comforts of modern gaming.

One of Ocarina of Time’s enduring strengths has always been its beautiful narrative, which is stronger than ever in the remake. With tighter translations, expanded dialogue, and new cutscenes, it preserves the essence of the original while adding substantial depth.

Ocarina of Time features excellent puzzles and inventive mechanics, continuously introducing new solutions right up to the endgame.

Zelda games are generally not known for extreme difficulty beyond certain puzzle mechanics, and the Ocarina of Time remake feels designed for all ages. While this is not inherently negative, as the source reviewer first enjoyed the game as a preschooler, adult players seeking a challenge might need to adjust their expectations.

Accessibility Features

Within the game’s settings, players can customize camera controls and speed, toggle motion-control aiming, and choose between one-click or press-and-hold targeting.

Additional options include swapping jump controls, utilizing one-handed ocarina-playing controls, toggling subtitles, and enabling speaker-name display. While accessibility remains a relative weak point for Nintendo, this title offers more customization than some other entries.

Specifications