Ocarina of Time Remake Reviews: What Critics Say, and How It Runs on Switch 2

Japan's Famitsu magazine gave it 37 out of 40 (scores of 9, 9, 9 and 10). That is three points short of the 1998 original, which was the first game ever to receive a perfect 40, and the same score Famitsu gave the 2011 Nintendo 3DS version (Notebookcheck).

Reviewers praise the same things again and again:

• Visuals and music: a completely rebuilt Hyrule and a new orchestral soundtrack.
• Redesigned puzzles, dungeons and enemies that keep the original structure but feel fresh.
• Better controls: a new camera, smoother combat, faster item switching and a jump button.
• Story: fully voiced cutscenes, extra dialogue and cleaner translations.

TechRadar called it "a thoroughly well-thought-out retelling of one of the most loved video games of all time" (TechRadar). Radio Times admitted it had expected to dislike the new art style, but concluded that the game "looks spectacular" (Radio Times).

The complaints

The criticism is mild, but worth knowing:

• It plays it safe. Several reviewers say the remake lacks ambition and is a little too easy.
• Famitsu found it "relatively simple" compared with modern games, with moments where players may not know what to do next.
• Some new character designs divide opinion. Young Link and Sheik were mentioned by name.
• Fans of the original's fixed camera angles may miss them.

How it runs on Switch 2

Digital Foundry, which specialises in technical analysis, gave the remake a very positive verdict (Nintendo Life):

For context, the N64 original ran at about 20fps and the 3DS version at 30fps. The few weaknesses are some shimmering on fine details, simpler textures and distant objects in handheld mode, and a few very short loading pauses.

One correction to a claim circulating online: discussion around the launch assumed the game uses Nvidia's DLSS. According to Digital Foundry, Nintendo used AMD's FSR upscaling instead.

A few nice extras

• You can hum or sing an ocarina melody into the Switch 2's microphone, and Link plays it in the game.
• New Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo figures, arriving in 2027, unlock masks with a retro look.
• The first run of the physical edition has textured foil cover art, while supplies last.

Should you buy it?

If you never played the original, this is now the easiest and best way to experience one of the most influential games ever made. If you know it by heart, expect a beautiful, faithful remake rather than a reinvention. The structure, story and dungeons are familiar, but everything looks, sounds and controls better. Remember that it requires a Nintendo Switch 2, as it does not run on the original Switch.