The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is a glorious revival of an all-time classic

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time returns once every console generation, when we need it most. To remind us all what a great video game can deliver and how it may inspire.

The latest remake of the adventure, following in the footsteps of its 3DS predecessor and the Nintendo 64 original, is a gorgeous, glittering experience. It refreshes the original game for a new (and returning) generation, while maintaining its artful points of friction and its sense of maturity.

The years have not diminished the power of Ocarina of Time‘s story and adventure. Through the power of the Nintendo Switch 2, its deepest lessons are simply now approachable for a wider audience. As a first game for a young kid, for example, it teaches so much about puzzling and curiosity. As a nostalgic return, those lessons hit just as hard.

In a sea of modern games, revisiting Ocarina of Time does so much to spark a renewed appreciation for how brilliant, innovative and ahead of its time the original adventure really was.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is frequently stunning

Rather than preserving the original blocky look and feel of Ocarina of Time, this game’s development team has chosen an alternative, rather stunning track: to make the adventure as realistic as possible, adding in new textures, shine, colour and beauty in every little pixel.

This is not the Ocarina of Time you’ll remember from your childhood. It looks unequivocally better, bigger and more eye-opening. That’s not to say there aren’t sparks of the past here. You’ll enter new realms and feel a ghostly familiarity in every step. But with the remake’s focus on adding grandeur and scope to every locale, there’s a fresh charm and awe as you wander.

Gazing out over Lake Hylia is truly wondrous. You see the the lake rippling out ahead of you, and the sunset overhead. Water lapping nearby rocks gives them a sparkling shine. Nearby, tall grasses wave in the breeze. Being in this game is a joy at all times, but it’s even better when you stop to admire your surrounds.

The game’s approach to vivid detail extends to Link and all his companions. Where before, tunics were simple polygons, they’re now clearly woven strand by strand. You can see the scuffs on leather boots and sword holsters. Princess Ruto is wonderfully fish-y and slimy, with a glimmer to her skin. Ganondorf is horrifying in gleaming, metallic armour and with his leering, watchful eye.

There’s some degree of getting used to each character’s new look, particularly for those returning to Ocarina of Time. But the polish and flourish here is spectacular and helps to sink you into the game’s bright, imaginative fantasy world. Graphics don’t make a game good, but they can certainly elevate the experience, as in this game.

The push and pull of Ocarina of Time

Beyond its visuals, what is most impressive about the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is its core. That narrative is what made the original game so impressive and memorable, and so well-regarded as one of the best games of all time. The reality is this remake simply offers a spit-shine over the top.

What makes the game so enjoyable was created back in 1998, and is only revamped here for a modern audience.

Ocarina of Time is an incredible experience for its pacing. For its sense of adventure. For how it plays with expectations. For how it introduces its wonderful flow of logic, and leaves players to work out where next to go. For how it treats young players with such maturity, and gives them such trust.

What stands out most about Ocarina of Time is its approach to puzzling. It would be fair to say the core audience for the original game was young kids. But rather than giving them an easy, simple adventure, Ocarina of Time was developed to encourage cleverness and ingenuity.

Players are asked to move blocks around stages – somewhat derivative now, but far less familiar at launch – and figure out where best to place them. They’re asked to puzzle through the requirements of defeating bosses – shooting arrows at paintings, using boomerangs to cut off tentacles, and deploying bombs at just the right moment.

They’re never treated as stupid. There’s never any hand-holding.

You must figure out your path, as the hero Link figures out his path. Even in this complexity, Ocarina of Time is never so obtuse that you run out of options. Speak to folks around you, and you’ll get various clues as to what happens next. One might mention catching fish in a jar, in a way that sparks a thought about a puzzle somewhere down the line. Listen carefully, trust yourself, leave room for experimentation and the way forward will open.

Some puzzles are more obtuse than others. The Water Temple is a notorious location for a reason, and may require you to dig through old game guides to figure out the most efficient ways forward. But eventually, you’ll get there. You’ll figure out the game’s quirks and challenges, and feel far better for the discovery. It’s a rewarding adventure, and one where you can feel satisfied knowing your own ingenuity allowed you to step forward.

For a kid, having that experience – to be trusted to make your own decisions – can be transformative.

The dual tones in Ocarina of Zelda add to the breathtaking experience

As well as offering mature, challenging puzzles to its audience, Ocarina of Time also delivers maturity in its story and tone. This is a glorious fantasy adventure, and one that brims with dual tones of dark and light.

It’s about the fate of the world being entrusted to a plucky little kid. It’s about what happens in failure, too. The consequences of inaction. The burden of responsibility. The horrors that evil choices can bring.

There’s a moment in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time where your journey feels briefly triumphant, only for the facade to come crumbling down. In this moment, Link becomes an adult – physically and emotionally. It’s all represented in the feeling of dread as you exit the Temple of Time and come across the ruins of Hyrule, shadowed by the castle of Ganondorf.

Just moments earlier, you explored a town of great joy and mirth, watching as people danced, delivered parcels or played games. Then, it becomes a barren wasteland, filled with zombie-like creatures and noxious green ooze. It’s a confronting scene, and one the audience is trusted to grapple with.

In the Ocarina of Time remake, arguably the impact is even greater. With the added layers of detail, the ooze is creepier. The zombie creatures are more horrifying. You feel a greater sense of connection to Hyrule and its people, and it makes the next steps even more devastating.

Those stakes become essential as you embark on your journey through time, conquering dungeons and fighting for a better future for all of Hyrule and its people.

Those smaller moments in the childhood of Link – making friends, completing silly quests – are the most important of all, as you fight to grasp at the peace and prosperity everyone deserves.

A new chapter for an era in need of brightness

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and its soaring story return at a time in the world where we need its message – of hope, and the power of the little guy. It was intentionally developed as a game to empower kids, to help them see their power and the impact of their voice.

That message is what shines brightest on replay.

Link is only small, at first. But he makes all the difference.

To save the world, even small hands can contribute. Perhaps they’re the most essential of all.

A code for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 was provided by the publisher.

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