Nintendo's remake of Ocarina of Time is absolutely beautiful, with modernised controls that make an already brilliant Zelda adventure even better.
This year, I've been spending more time playing older games through Nintendo Switch Online, particularly working my way through The Legend of Zelda series in release order. With the Ocarina of Time remake coming to Nintendo Switch 2, I decided to play the original Nintendo 64 version from 1998.
I absolutely loved it. Well, with the exception of that damn Water Temple! However, there were a few mechanics that I really struggled with. I got used to the automatic jumping fairly quickly, but not being able to control the camera properly was a nightmare, especially as someone who struggles with motion sickness. Constantly having to enter the menu to change equipment also became quite frustrating.
Other than those issues, I thought the game itself was practically perfect. The story was brilliant, and I loved working my way through the different temples. As long as the Nintendo Switch 2 remake addressed those problems, I was fairly confident I'd love it.
And boy, did Nintendo deliver. Ocarina of Time is nothing short of breathtaking. It's by far the most impressive game I've played on Nintendo Switch 2 so far, and somehow manages to make an already fantastic adventure even better.
Story
Ocarina of Time follows a young Link, a boy living among the Kokiri in their forest home. Unlike the other Kokiri, Link has never had a fairy of his own, until Navi arrives with a message from the Great Deku Tree that sets him off on his adventure.
What begins as a relatively small journey soon develops into something considerably bigger, as Link meets Princess Zelda and discovers a threat to the kingdom of Hyrule. The story revolves around Ganondorf's ambitions to obtain the Triforce, an ancient power that could have devastating consequences in the wrong hands.
One of the most interesting aspects of Ocarina of Time is how the story takes place across two different periods of Link's life. Without spoiling anything, the passage of time plays an enormous role in the adventure, and seeing how Hyrule changes gives the story a surprising amount of emotional weight.
I already thought the original handled its story brilliantly, especially considering when it was released. The remake takes that same narrative and expands on it through additional dialogue and fully voiced cutscenes, making the characters feel much more developed.
I don't want to give too much away because I think the story is something everyone should experience for themselves. There's a real sense of adventure throughout, and I particularly love how the game gradually reveals more about Hyrule as you progress. It's an incredibly strong story, and one that I think holds up remarkably well nearly thirty years later.
Gameplay
Ocarina of Time follows the traditional Zelda adventure format, with Link exploring Hyrule and working his way through a series of temples. Each dungeon introduces its own puzzles and challenges, with new equipment gradually opening up areas you couldn't previously access.
Having played the original so recently, I was particularly interested in how Nintendo would handle the controls. Thankfully, practically every issue I had has been addressed.
The biggest improvement for me is the camera. Being able to control it freely makes an enormous difference, particularly when navigating enclosed spaces or trying to position Link during combat. As someone prone to motion sickness, I found the original camera incredibly frustrating, so this was probably the change I appreciated most.
The automatic jumping has also been replaced with a dedicated jump button, which feels far more natural. Although I'd eventually got used to the original system, I much prefer having control over when Link jumps rather than relying on the game to decide for me.
Another welcome improvement is the item selection system. Instead of constantly opening the menu to swap equipment, you can now access items much more conveniently through quick selection controls. It might sound like a relatively small change, but when you're repeatedly using different tools to solve puzzles, it makes an enormous difference.
What I really appreciate is that Nintendo hasn't tried to reinvent the gameplay. The fundamentals are still very much Ocarina of Time, with all the clever puzzles and satisfying exploration that made the original so enjoyable. The improvements simply make everything feel much better to play.
Graphics and Visuals
I genuinely cannot overstate how beautiful Ocarina of Time looks on Nintendo Switch 2. The visual overhaul is extraordinary, and the cutscenes in particular are incredibly cinematic. It's easily the most visually impressive thing I've seen on the console so far.
I've really enjoyed Nintendo's approach to remaking older Zelda games, particularly how each has been given its own distinct visual identity. Link's Awakening, for example, has that adorable toy like aesthetic that works wonderfully with its smaller world.
Ocarina of Time takes a very different approach, with much more detailed environments and a slightly more realistic style, but it still has that unmistakable Zelda charm. Young Link looks absolutely adorable, and the character designs fit beautifully with the rest of the series without simply copying the appearance of another game.
The environments are especially impressive. Hyrule feels so much more alive, and the added detail makes exploring familiar locations genuinely exciting again. It's remarkable how much the game has changed visually while remaining so recognisable.
The enemy designs deserve particular praise too. Larger enemies look genuinely imposing, and the ReDeads are absolutely terrifying. Their movements are so unsettling that I found them considerably scarier than their original forms.
I also love the contrast between the more cheerful areas of Hyrule and the darker locations you encounter later in the game. The remake handles both beautifully, and the updated orchestral soundtrack adds enormously to the atmosphere, particularly during the more cinematic moments.
More than anything, it almost feels like this is how Ocarina of Time was always supposed to look. As though the developers had imagined something this beautiful back in 1998, but simply didn't have the technology to make it possible.
Everything that made the original so charming is still there, only now it looks even better than I could have imagined.
Longevity - How Long is Ocarina of Time?
Ocarina of Time is a substantial adventure, with the main story generally taking around 20 to 30 hours to complete, depending on how much time you spend exploring and solving puzzles.
There's also plenty to do outside the main story. You can collect Heart Pieces to increase your health, search for hidden Gold Skulltulas and take on optional activities throughout Hyrule.
The Nintendo Switch 2 remake also introduces the Hall of Fallen Foes, where you can revisit previously defeated enemies and replay boss encounters, giving you another reason to return after completing the adventure.
For me, though, the biggest reason to replay Ocarina of Time is simply how enjoyable the adventure is. Having played the original so recently, I wondered whether I'd find myself losing interest in going through the same story again.
That couldn't have been further from the truth. I've loved rediscovering familiar locations and seeing how they've been reimagined. The improvements are substantial enough that I think it's absolutely worth experiencing again, even if you've already played the original.
Conclusion
I absolutely adored the original Ocarina of Time, but the Nintendo Switch 2 remake has managed to improve on practically everything I struggled with.
The modernised controls make such a difference, particularly the freedom to move the camera and the much more convenient item selection. These were my biggest frustrations with the original, and having them resolved allowed me to enjoy the adventure without constantly battling the mechanics.
But what really makes this remake exceptional is the presentation. The visuals are breathtaking, and I love how Nintendo has managed to give Ocarina of Time its own beautiful identity while retaining everything that made the original so special.
The story is every bit as engaging as I remembered, and the new cutscenes make it even more enjoyable to experience.
I genuinely struggle to think of anything I'd change. Nintendo has taken a game that was already considered one of the greatest of all time and made it feel completely at home on modern hardware.
Whether you're returning to Hyrule or experiencing Ocarina of Time for the first time, I cannot recommend this remake highly enough. It's easily one of my favourite experiences on Nintendo Switch 2, and an unquestionable five stars from me.
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Nintendo has transformed Ocarina of Time into a breathtaking Switch 2 adventure, with gorgeous visuals and improved controls that make this classic Zelda game better than ever.