The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2 has a 96 on Metacritic from 81 critic reviews and a 95 on OpenCritic. That makes it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far. GamesRadar+, VGC and Eurogamer gave it 5 out of 5. The main criticism is that it plays things safe.
Scores last checked on November 4, 2026, the day review embargoes lifted. Aggregates can move by a point as more reviews arrive. Launch times, file size and the preload are covered in our Ocarina of Time release time guide.
Ocarina of Time review scores by outlet
| Outlet | Score | In short |
|---|---|---|
| GamesRadar+ | 5/5 | “A reimagining bigger and bolder than any I’ve ever played” |
| VGC | 5/5 | “The definitive way to discover, or rediscover, a masterpiece” |
| Eurogamer | 5/5 | Timeless and intricate, with new “vibrancy and clarity” |
| Game Informer | 9.25/10 | Rarely surprising, but the final hour moved the reviewer |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 | “Very safe remake”, Nintendo’s “most visually stunning work”; no Master Quest |
| GameSpot | 9/10 | Made with “reverence and respect for the source material” |
| IGN | 9/10 | Shows there is still value in the traditional Zelda formula |
| RPG Site | 8/10 | A great showing of the classic, “even with its blemishes” |
Quotes and scores as collected in Nintendo Life’s review round-up. The Verge, TechRadar and NPR also published positive reviews without numeric scores.
How 96 compares with other Zelda games and 2026
| Game | Metacritic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ocarina of Time (N64, 1998) | 99 | Highest Metacritic score of all time |
| Breath of the Wild (Switch, 2017) | 97 | Open-air Zelda |
| Ocarina of Time (Switch 2, 2026) | 96 | Full remake, 81 reviews |
| Tears of the Kingdom (Switch, 2023) | 96 | Same score as the remake |
| Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS, 2011) | 94 | Previous remaster |
| Forza Horizon 6 (2026) | 90 | Top-scoring big new release of 2026 |
Our math The remake sits six points above Forza Horizon 6, the best-reviewed new big-budget game of the year in our 2026 review score tracker. Remakes usually compete in their own category at The Game Awards rather than for Game of the Year, so a high score here doesn’t make it a GOTY favourite. GTA 6, out November 19, is the last big release that could beat it this year.
What critics liked and what they didn’t
| Praised | Criticised |
|---|---|
| A full visual overhaul; several reviewers call it Nintendo’s best-looking game | “Safe”: few surprises if you know the original (Nintendo Life, Game Informer) |
| Story, dungeons and puzzles kept intact | No Master Quest version (Nintendo Life) |
| Modernised controls and quality-of-life changes | Some frustratingly dark areas (The Verge) |
| Redesigned locations and enemies (TechRadar) | NPR’s reviewer was left “oddly bereft” despite the polish |
Should you buy it? Our quick take
- Our advice Never played Ocarina: this is now the version to play. Critics agree it keeps everything that made the original important.
- Played the N64 or 3DS version: expect the same game with a huge visual upgrade, not new dungeons. If you want something new, wait for a sale.
- Buying GTA 6 too: Ocarina is $59.99 digital, two weeks before GTA 6 ($79.99 Standard Edition). If your budget only covers one in November, see our GTA 6 total cost guide and Black Friday deals first.
- No Switch 2: it isn’t on Switch 1, and there is no PC or PlayStation version.
The rest of the month’s calendar is in our November 2026 game releases guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ocarina of Time remake’s Metacritic score?
96 out of 100 from 81 critic reviews on the Switch 2 page, as of November 4, 2026. Aggregate scores move a little as more reviews arrive.
What is its OpenCritic score?
95 on November 4, 2026, according to OpenCritic and TheGamer. That makes it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far on both sites.
Is the remake rated higher than the original?
No. The 1998 Nintendo 64 original holds 99 on Metacritic, the highest score on the site. The remake’s 96 is close, and matches Tears of the Kingdom.
What do critics not like about it?
The most common complaints are that it is a safe, faithful remake with few surprises, that it does not include Master Quest (Nintendo Life), and that some areas are too dark (The Verge). RPG Site’s 8/10 is one of the lower scores.
When does the Ocarina of Time remake come out?
Thursday, November 5, 2026, only on Nintendo Switch 2. Digital copies unlock at midnight: 9:00 p.m. PT on November 4 in the Americas and 00:00 local time in Europe.
How much does it cost?
$59.99 digital and $69.99 physical in the US, and £49.99 digital in the UK, on Nintendo’s stores.
Scores checked on November 4, 2026. Graphic: HUDWire.
Sources
- Metacritic: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2) critic reviews
- OpenCritic / TheGamer: Ocarina of Time is comfortably the highest-rated game of 2026, for now
- Nintendo Life: The reviews are in for Ocarina of Time on Switch 2
- The Verge: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time review
- NPR: Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is superb, streamlined and safe
- Nintendo: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Switch 2) store page