# ‘What!?’: Ocarina of Time Producer Admits Even the Zelda Team Was Shocked At Art Changes

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/what-ocarina-of-time-producer-admits-even-the-zelda-team-was-shocked-at-art-changes/
- Published: 2026-11-05T18:17:55+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T18:40:54+00:00
- Original publisher: Polygon
- Original article: https://www.polygon.com/eiji-aonuma-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-art-interview/
- Topics: Art, Culture

## Key points

- Ocarina of Time’s remake adopts a puppet-show-inspired art style.
- Eiji Aonuma says Zelda’s visual changes can surprise the team too.
- He sees that surprise as a chance for players to embrace a game’s look.

## Summary

The Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been warmly received, despite early uncertainty about its striking new art style. Producer Eiji Aonuma says even the Zelda team can be surprised by a new visual direction, and sees that initial shock as part of how players come to understand a game’s look.

Aonuma said the remake uses a “puppet show” feel to evoke nostalgia, with art choices guided by each game’s story and qualities. He compared the reaction to the early criticism of Wind Waker’s cel-shaded style, now widely admired, and noted that games with connected stories, such as Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, share a visual approach.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.