Reviews for the highly anticipated remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time have been released, painting a near-universal picture of critical success. The game has garnered a Metascore of 96 based on 48 reviews, making it the highest-rated game of 2026. Each review has awarded the title a score of 8 or higher, suggesting Nintendo has successfully updated a beloved classic without compromising its integrity.
The remake is described as deeply faithful to the original Nintendo 64 version from 1998, while incorporating several quality-of-life enhancements. These include the addition of a run button, motion control aiming, and making automatic jumps a player-controlled action. While Hyrule Castle Town has been expanded for exploration, reviewers note that no elements from the original have been removed. The visual presentation has also been a point of praise, with outlets calling the game "beautiful," "gorgeous," and "breathtaking," dispelling initial concerns about its updated aesthetic. One notable, albeit minor, criticism from RPG Site is the single save slot.
Reviewers have lauded the game's enduring design and narrative. Eurogamer describes both the original and the remake as a "masterpiece," noting that the new version possesses a vibrancy that makes it feel freshly created. The Guardian highlights the remake's ability to retain the original's "understated melancholy" and dark fairytale elements, finding the narrative's themes of time and loss resonate even more powerfully today. Game Informer points to the new camera control and active jumping as significant improvements that enhance player engagement with exploration. Polygon observes that the remake successfully preserves the grandeur of Hyrule's world within its compact design, emphasizing its scenic locations with enhanced detail. IGN celebrates the abundance of secrets within the game, many of which exist purely for playfulness, making their discovery impactful. VGC emphasizes the remake's capacity to add depth and spectacle to its already cinematic adventure, making moments of returning to familiar places in different stages of time even more affecting. GamesRadar finds that the story and writing, combined with the updated presentation, elevate the emotional weight of the narrative, moving them in ways the predecessor did not.
Notable critiques include RPG Site's frustration with the single save slot. However, the overwhelming consensus is that the remake respects its source material while offering meaningful enhancements, allowing a timeless masterpiece to shine with renewed brilliance.