Ocarina of Time Remake Review Roundup: Metacritic 96

The Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2 has a Metacritic score of 96 from about 80 critic reviews, and none of them is mixed or negative. That makes it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far, one day before its November 5 launch. The 1998 Nintendo 64 original still holds the all-time record with 99.

Quick summary

• Metacritic: 96, around 80 reviews, all positive.
• OpenCritic: top critic average of 95 to 96 depending on when it was checked, with 100% of critics recommending it.
• Perfect scores: Vice and The Independent count 46 reviews at 100 on Metacritic, including Eurogamer, The Guardian, GamesRadar+, VGC and TheGamer.
• Lowest scores in the main outlets: 90 from IGN, GameSpot, Nintendo Life and a few others.
• Launch: November 5 on Switch 2 only, $59.99 digital or $69.99 physical, per Game Beacon.

What are the Ocarina of Time remake review scores?

Scores come from Vice's selection of Metacritic entries and Game Beacon's roundup, checked on November 4. The totals can still move as more reviews arrive.

Where does it rank on Metacritic's best games of all time?

VGC, GamesRadar+, Nintendo Life and Metro all report the remake sitting in the top 30 of Metacritic's all-time list, but they quote slightly different spots (24th, 26th and 27th) because they checked at different times. Every game from 16th to 34th has a score of 96, so its rank is decided by finer calculations and can shift. The original Ocarina of Time is first with 99, the only game ever to reach it.

Among 2026 releases it now leads Sektori (93), with Resident Evil 2: Deluxe Edition (93) and The Witcher 3 Remaster (92) behind it, per Nintendo Life. GamesRadar+ adds that it beats Phantom Blade Zero, Resident Evil Requiem and Pokemon Pokopia for the year's best score.

Is the remake better than the original on Metacritic?

Not on paper: 96 is three points below 99. Insider Gaming notes that the original's score rests on only 22 reviews from a different era, while the remake has about 80, so the two numbers are not an even comparison. The remake does beat the 2011 3DS version, which sits at 94. For a deeper look at the changes, read our remake vs 3DS comparison.

What do critics praise in the remake?

• Visuals and performance: Nintendo Life calls it the most visually stunning thing Nintendo has made, and Game Beacon reports Digital Foundry noting a steady 60fps against the N64's roughly 20fps.
• Controls and quality of life: PC Games and Gfinity single out the modern controls and the freely adjustable camera.
• Music and voice: reviewers highlight the reorchestrated soundtrack and newly voiced dialogue.
• Core design: GameSpot, Player 2 and IGN say the dungeons and puzzles still hold up almost three decades later.

What are the main criticisms?

The complaints are consistent. Some reviewers found the new art style uneven, with Eurogamer saying it sometimes "doesn't look specifically like Zelda anymore". Nintendo Life misses a Master Quest or hard mode for returning players, Metro describes few substantial changes, and SECTOR.sk mentions loading screens and being unable to finish side quests after the ending. Famitsu's score came with a note that the game can feel simple by modern standards.

Is the Ocarina of Time remake worth buying?

If you love Zelda or have never played Ocarina of Time, the critical consensus says yes. If you have replayed the 3DS version many times and want a harder game, read the criticisms first. Planning your launch day? Our release time in India (IST) guide covers unlock times and preload, and our length guide shows how many hours to expect. See the launch calendar for what else is coming to Switch 2.

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