The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake plays even better than it looks
A preview of the Switch 2 remake of *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* finds that it improves on the 1998 classic beyond its updated graphics. The changes aim to make Hyrule feel more vivid and movement more natural while preserving the original game’s familiar character.
The remake adds richer environments, detailed textures, atmospheric effects and new sword animations, though its water visuals are a weak spot. Gameplay retains Z-targeting and the option to roll, with a jump and sprint button, smoother movement and fully voiced cutscenes; Navi still calls out “Hey, Listen!”
- The remake refreshes Hyrule while keeping the classic adventure intact.
- New jump and sprint controls make movement smoother.
- Voice acting and visual effects add atmosphere, though water looks off.
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Ocarina of Time is an action-adventure game in Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda series. First released in 1998, it follows Link, a young hero who explores the land of Hyrule and tries to stop the villain Ganondorf.
The original helped establish features familiar from later 3D adventure games, including Z-targeting, which lets players focus on an enemy or object. Its mix of exploration, puzzles and sword fighting made it a landmark in the series, and the remake updates how the game looks and feels while keeping much of that design.
The remake is for Nintendo’s Switch 2, the successor to the Switch. It brings a decades-old game to newer hardware, while retaining recognisable touches such as Navi, the fairy companion whose call to Link became widely remembered.