It’s funny, isn’t it? 2026 as a whole, I mean. For many months, we’ve been talking about some of the best games ever made, how a stretch of several weeks offered some of the highest-quality releases in years. And how ironic it is that a remake of one of the greatest games ever made should top the critics’ ratings, not once but twice? But as odd as it felt to see one of my personal favorite role-playing games, Trails in the Sky SC, on top (satisfying, sure, yet still odd), seeing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time dominate the conversation once more felt just right.
Even with the odd faces in some places, the new additions, the quality-of-life improvements, the dungeon changes, and much more, it’s still one of my favorite games of all time. An experience unlike any other, one that doesn’t quite hit as close to home since it’s no longer pioneering, but still proves that stellar game design, unforgettable characters, incredible pacing, and a fully realized world can stand the test of time.
In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, or why The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is such an addictive experience, full confession: Back in the day, I was that kid who lined up at the kiosks demoing the original and playing as much as I could. Every time, whenever one was nearby, even if it meant replaying the same sections. I was that kid who constantly called retailers to see if it was in stock when pre-ordering meant you couldn’t buy a copy if others reserved ahead of you. And when I finally dove into Hyrule, the experience stuck with me for the longest time.
A lot can be said about how Ocarina of Time is a trailblazer. The introduction of Z-targeting still has profound effects on 3D Zelda titles to this day. Link’s signature side-hops, backflips and jump attacks remain relevant even today. Horse-riding, too. And while all of that still feels amazing in the remake, Nintendo’s ability to retain the original’s inherent charm makes it soar higher.
Leaping over the Lon Lon Ranch wall with Epona and venturing into the vast world of Hyrule, no longer alone on your journey. Watching Zelda escape on that fateful stormy night and encountering Ganondorf face to face for the first time. Exploring Hyrule Castle Town, which is more alive than ever, from the central square to the back alleys. Honestly, I didn’t expect all those feelings to come back after so long, and yet, it’s like they never left. Even without the benefit of experiencing all this for the first time, that sense of childlike wonder holds up.
In many cases, it’s accentuated to lengths that didn’t seem possible. Venturing into the Lost Woods to find Saria, following the telltale tune of song, only to encounter Mido and having to whip out the ocarina to gain entry. In this day and age of extensive motion capture, facial animations, cinematography, and whatnot, this scene would seem very simple. And yet, all that contemporary technology transforms an immensely relevant scene, giving it the gravitas it deserves and losing none of its essence.
Another example is when facing Queen Gohma for the first time in the Deku Tree. The original played this off in a surprisingly creepy fashion, as the player looks up, catching the glow of Gohma’s eye before its intro cutscene begins. The remake follows this same formula, accentuating the ick as she drops down. But then you notice the furrowed lid, the side-to-side glances at her claws, and then returning to a focused gaze at these pesky little intruders. I never thought that Gohma of all people could have a personality, and yet, here we are.
Remakes typically fall into one of two camps: Sticking vociferously close to the original or expanding upon it in new ways. We’ve seen plenty of the latter with the Resident Evil remakes, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, and so on. For all intents and purposes, Ocarina of Time remake follows the former. There are no plot changes (at least, none discovered till now). Bosses have new attacks, but they stick fairly close to the original’s formula. The dedication to maintaining that experience is such that Nintendo even left in loading screens and transitions between Hyrule Field and dedicated locations.
But that’s the kicker. When you have a winning formula presented near-perfectly as it was back in the day, the real challenge isn’t deciding how to add on to it. It’s what to add to preserve it, even with its imperfections. So while the dedicated jump button feels great – seeing some unadjusted players falling straight into a rolling boulder is hilarious, by the way – and being able to swap items without going into the menu or keep better track of your quest courtesy of the Tapestry of Time is wonderful, Ocarina of Time’s core is intact. And if it wasn’t obvious enough, it’s still an absolute blast.
While I’m sure those accustomed to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are immersed in this relatively unknown format and loving every second, long-time fans are pushing ahead to see the changes while reliving the magic of the past. It’s an odd feeling – something that isn’t technically new still feels like it, but Nintendo made it work. I would say they made it look easy, but producer Eiji Aonuma’s nervousness at the reception makes more sense in hindsight. He knew that subliminally, fans would go through this remake multiple times and judge how deliberate everything felt. Everything had to be scrutinised to feel right, rather than polished to perfection.
I could go on and on about why Ocarina of Time remake is a fantastic game. The incredible visuals, the soundtrack (still one of my all-time favorites after all these decades, if not at the very top), the bosses which hold up from every angle and feel more alive than ever, and the combat as responsive as can be without tacking on any unnecessary elements. I can talk about each character and how they still hold a special place, some in all their weird, out-of-pocket glory. Or how the world draws you in so naturally while packing so much in terms of secrets, discoveries, and intrigue as to feel deceptively larger in the process. I could also note how it harkens back to a simpler, more innocent time in gaming – where you would get lost in another world and a legendary tale for hours on end while it felt like minutes had passed.
Instead, I remember an iconic in-game quote that holds more weight than ever.
“The flow of time is always cruel. Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it… A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days.”
Even if Aonuma and his team didn’t see this as a guiding light during development, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake adheres to it as best as any remake could: Standing alongside the original, much like Adult Link and Young Link, catering to the precious memories of those who played it for the first time while showcasing why it’s still an important experience. The franchise may spin off in different directions and become bigger and bolder with each new mainline title. However, even if the river’s flow is truly unending, the remake proves some experiences truly are timeless.
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.
