Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Reviews: Critics Call the Remake the Best Way to Play a Classic

The first Ocarina of Time Switch 2 review scores are in, and critics are delighted. Eurogamer, GamesRadar+ and VGC all gave Nintendo's remake top marks, and the game held a Metacritic score of 96 from 81 critics when Nintendo Life rounded up the reviews. This is a roundup of what critics are saying, not our own review: we haven't played it.

Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 review roundup at a glance

Is Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 good?

Yes, according to almost every critic so far. The scores in Nintendo Life's roundup run from 8/10 to 5/5, and the shared view is that Nintendo has rebuilt a 1998 classic without losing what made it special.

What critics are saying

• Eurogamer (5/5): keeps the original's intricate design and adds a vibrancy and clarity that make it feel new.
• GamesRadar+ (5/5): a reimagining bolder than any earlier version, keeping the original's magic.
• VGC (5/5): little was lost in the remake, and it's the best way to experience the game.
• Game Informer (9.25): it rarely surprised the reviewer, but it was a thrill to revisit familiar characters, and the final hour moved them to tears.
• Nintendo Life (9/10): "comfortably the most visually stunning work Nintendo has ever put out", though no Master Quest keeps it from being definitive.
• GameSpot (9/10): its reverence for the source material proves the game's timelessness.
• IGN (9/10): shows the traditional Zelda formula still has value, with a dense world full of charm and secrets.
• RPG Site (8/10): a classic and a series standout, but some design decisions may discourage replays.

What are the complaints about the remake?

There aren't many. Nintendo Life misses Master Quest, the harder remixed dungeons from earlier re-releases. RPG Site says some design decisions may put you off playing it again, and Game Informer found few surprises, which is the trade-off of a faithful remake.

Should you buy it?

If you've never played Ocarina of Time, critics say this is the version to start with. If you know it by heart, expect the same adventure, beautifully rebuilt. It costs $59.99 digital in the US; see our Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 guide for what's new, including humming into the microphone to play the ocarina.

Watch the Ocarina of Time trailer

The official overview trailer from Nintendo UK's YouTube channel.

More Zelda on iGame Magazine

• Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 Is Out 5 November: Price, What’s New and the Ocarina You Can Hum Into: release date, price and what's new
• Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: Price, Triforce Design, Matching Pro Controller and Stock: the Switch 2 Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition

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