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

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.