Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Opens With a 96 on Metacritic, the Highest Score of 2026 So Far

Nintendo’s remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 has opened to strong reviews, reaching a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 and taking the top position among games released in 2026 at the time of several November 4 reports. The score remains below the 99 earned by the original 1998 Nintendo 64 release, but it is higher than the 94 recorded by the earlier 3DS version, Ocarina of Time 3D. The new edition is scheduled to launch exclusively on Switch 2 on November 5.

Metacritic’s score is a moving snapshot, not a permanent ranking. The number of reviews included changed during the day as more outlets published their verdicts. GamesRadar reported a 96 based on 42 reviews earlier in the review cycle, while GameSpot later reported the same score with 81 reviews. Other coverage recorded totals of more than 80 reviews while the score remained at 96.

A 96 puts the remake at the top of the year’s chart

GamesRadar reported that the remake had reached 96 on Metacritic after 42 reviews, making it the highest-rated game of 2026 at the time of its report. GameSpot’s later update said the score remained 96 after 81 reviews. Other publications also recorded the score at 96 as the review count moved beyond 80.

The result does not mean the remake has surpassed the original game. The 1998 Nintendo 64 version holds a Metacritic score of 99, while the 3DS remake, Ocarina of Time 3D, has a score of 94. The new Switch 2 edition currently sits between those two releases. Because review aggregators update as additional critics submit scores, the total and the game’s position on the annual chart may still change.

Visuals, music and controls receive major upgrades

Nintendo describes the Switch 2 edition as a full remake, with substantially overhauled visuals, voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music and redesigned camera and movement controls. The remake also lets Link jump freely and uses a more modern camera system for exploring Hyrule. The central story remains the familiar adventure in which Link sets out to stop Ganondorf from taking the Triforce.

Reviewers have generally praised the visual presentation, music and improvements to control. GamesRadar awarded the game five out of five, saying the remake preserves the appeal of the 1998 original while using new mechanics and visual changes to make the adventure feel suitable for a modern audience. The Verge also highlighted the benefits of free camera control and more flexible movement, particularly in areas where the original’s controls could feel cumbersome.

Nintendo’s official product page lists additional features beyond the visual overhaul. Players can hear expanded dialogue, use the Switch 2 microphone to play or hum learned ocarina melodies, and use the Zelda Notes service through the Nintendo Switch app for progress tracking and other activities.

The reviews still include some reservations

A high aggregate score does not mean every reviewer considers the remake flawless. The Verge noted that a more flexible camera changes the atmosphere of certain locations, even as it makes exploration easier. Some reviewers have also raised questions about changes to dungeons and puzzles, including whether streamlining parts of the original design reduces the satisfaction of solving them.

Famitsu gave the Switch 2 remake 37 out of 40, with four reviewers scoring it 10, 9, 9 and 9. That is below the 40 out of 40 awarded to the original game in 1998, and matches the score Famitsu gave the 3DS version. Famitsu’s scoring system is different from Metacritic’s 100-point aggregate, so the figures should not be treated as directly interchangeable. They do, however, show that the remake has received strong reviews while still leaving room for individual critics to identify trade-offs.

The game launches on Switch 2 on November 5

Nintendo’s official store page lists November 5 as the release date and Nintendo Switch 2 as the exclusive platform. The game supports multiple languages, including Simplified and Traditional Chinese. Nintendo also describes Zelda Notes, a companion service in the Nintendo Switch app that lets players review their adventure progress, take daily quizzes and use features related to the ocarina.

New Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo figures are planned for 2027 and can unlock masks with a retro visual style, according to Nintendo’s product information. The game is designed for a single player on one system and is available in TV, tabletop and handheld modes.

The confirmed picture is that Ocarina of Time’s Switch 2 remake has opened with a 96 Metacritic score and was the highest-rated 2026 release in reports published on November 4. It launches on November 5. As additional reviews are added, the score and annual ranking may shift, but the remake has already earned one of the strongest critical debuts of the year.