Zelda Games in 2026 – Ocarina Remake Review, 5 Best Picks

Zelda Games: Types, Best Picks and How to Choose

Zelda games have a new headline act. Nintendo released a full remake of Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 on November 5, 2026, and critics quickly made it the highest-rated game of the year. This guide explains what changed in the remake, what reviewers liked and disliked, the different ways to play Ocarina today and which other Zelda games are worth playing next on Switch.

Key Takeaways

• The Ocarina of Time remake launched on November 5, 2026 for Switch 2 and holds 96 on Metacritic.
• New features include running, full camera control, button jumping, motion aiming, voiced cutscenes and an explorable Hyrule Castle Town.
• Critics praised the visuals and faithful design, while a few disliked having one save file and how jumping makes some fights easier.
• The download is 24.9 GB, and amiibo of Young Link and Young Zelda due in 2027 will unlock in-game masks.

What Is New in the Ocarina of Time Remake

The remake keeps the 1998 story and dungeon layout but rebuilds almost everything around it. Environments, characters, enemies, items and bosses all have new art, and areas that were once pre-rendered backgrounds can now be viewed from any angle.

• Movement – Link can run, swim faster and jump with a button instead of jumping automatically from ledges.
• Camera – full camera control replaces the fixed angles of the original.
• Items – item scrolling works much like Breath of the Wild, and aiming can use motion controls.
• World – Hyrule Castle Town is now fully explorable, and time passes continuously in every area.
• Story help – a Threads of Time log summarises the story and current objectives.
• Music – the soundtrack has new orchestrations, and ocarina songs can be played through the Switch 2 microphone.

Game Informer also notes that some dungeons were adjusted to remove old annoyances, such as needing fewer keys in the Water Temple. Cutscenes now include voice acting, although the reviewers point out that most other dialogue is still text only.

Review Scores and What Critics Said

Reviews arrived on November 4, a day before launch, and they were overwhelmingly positive, even by the high standard set by earlier Zelda games. Nintendo Life's roundup listed the following scores, with Metacritic at 96, and Kotaku called the remake the highest-rated game of 2026 so far.

• Eurogamer, GamesRadar and VGC – 5 out of 5
• Game Informer – 9.25, with a Must Play award
• IGN, GameSpot and Nintendo Life – 9 out of 10
• RPG Site – 8 out of 10

The criticism is mostly about details. RPG Site objected to having only one save file, Polygon felt the free camera removes the eerie fixed angles that sold the ruined castle town, and Game Informer said the jump makes some encounters, such as Blade Traps, far less threatening. Game Informer also found the spoken lines a little stiff and the new look of young Link and Zelda slightly odd.

Types of Ocarina Experiences You Can Choose

The remake is not the only way to play this story, and like several Zelda games it exists in more than one version, so it helps to compare the three versions available today.

• Switch 2 remake (2026) – the full modern rebuild, playable in TV, tabletop and handheld modes with HDR and surround sound.
• Nintendo 64 original – available on Switch and Switch 2 through the Nintendo Classics service for subscribers.
• 3DS version (2011) – an earlier upgrade with better visuals, now only on older hardware.

For most players the remake is the clear choice among current Zelda games. The Nintendo 64 version remains interesting for purists who want the fixed camera and original atmosphere that some critics miss.

Launch Details Worth Knowing

Nintendo's store page lists a 24.9 GB download, a PEGI 12 rating in Europe and support for twelve languages, while Game Informer lists an Everyone 10+ rating in North America. The game supports Save Data Cloud for Nintendo Switch Online members and works with the free Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch App.

There is no deluxe edition. Early physical copies may include a gold foil cover while supplies last, and new Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo planned for 2027 will unlock retro-style masks. Digital copies were expected to unlock at midnight local time in most regions, the same pattern Nintendo uses for most first-party Zelda games.

Best Zelda Games Switch Owners Should Play Next

After the remake, the rest of the Switch library offers plenty more. These are our own picks rather than an official list of the best Zelda games.

• Breath of the Wild – the series' best seller and a huge open world, upgraded in a Switch 2 Edition.
• Tears of the Kingdom – the sequel with building tools, sky islands and underground areas, also with a Switch 2 Edition.
• Link's Awakening – a short and charming 2019 remake that suits handheld play.
• Skyward Sword HD – a 2021 remaster with classic dungeons and new button controls.
• Echoes of Wisdom – the 2024 adventure where Princess Zelda solves puzzles with copied objects.

How to Choose What to Play

• New to the series – start with the Ocarina remake for a guided adventure, or Breath of the Wild for total freedom.
• Played the original – the remake is worth it for the new visuals and castle town, but expect the same core journey.
• Prefer the old feel – try the Nintendo 64 version through Nintendo Classics first.
• Want something new – pick Echoes of Wisdom or Tears of the Kingdom instead.

If you want to tackle Zelda games in order of release, the Nintendo Classics library covers many early entries, but you do not need that background to enjoy the remake. Its Threads of Time log keeps the story clear even for complete newcomers.

Final Thoughts on Zelda Games in 2026

The Ocarina of Time remake is the easiest recommendation in Zelda games right now: faithful, beautiful and friendlier to new players. Pair it with one of the open-world adventures afterwards and you will have experienced the best of both classic and modern Zelda games on Switch 2.