*Nomsyaro*

I finished the remake of Ocarina of Time for the first time. Rather than immediately get into what I loved about this remake I’d rather start with a comparison. Is the remake better than the original 1998 classic? The answer is YES…and no. Putting aside the nostalgia that certainly counts for a lot, there are elements of the original that still reign supreme. Dungeon puzzles and layouts are often more unique, combat provides something closer to a challenge and there is a myriad of small details that no longer appear in the 2026 version. Some off the top of my head: - Drawbridge no longer raises and lowers - Sword doesn’t react to the environment - Hook shot points are now targets - Mario, etc. aren’t in the courtyard windows - Missing animations - Dialogue changed or removed - Timers are now gone or nerfed It’s certainly possible these things combined with some of the handholding elements (easier combat, streamlined puzzles) could be a cause for concern, but when you consider everything the remake offers on top of the fact that the game was never difficult to begin with, it starts to feel like a fair trade. - Better controls/jump button - Nintendo’s best graphical showcase - Added context/dialog top to bottom - AAA cutscenes with full voice acting - NPC routines - Full organic day/night cycle - Seamless world (at times) - Zora’s Domain unfreezing - Threads of Time - Hall of Fallen Foes - Rock solid performance - Streamlined UI One could argue that all of these benefits would make it quite easy to overlook the fact that your sword doesn’t bounce off walls or that the drawbridge doesn’t go up at night and that’s the exact argument I’m making. The benefits will outweigh the negatives for some, but not for others. This is why the Ocarina of Time remake is in my mind a 10/10 experience just like the original. It does some things worse, but a lot of things better. The things that it improves elevate the experience not only in this remake, but in the 1998 original as well. It’s a perfect companion peice. I will play both back to back going forward. For those that aren’t attached to Ocarina of Time, I’m sure the phrase “greatest game of all time” can get rather exhausting, but there’s a very good reason for it. Putting aside how far ahead it was of everything else on the market it was simply a near perfect experience. Narrative, pacing, innovation, gameplay, music and just about every element of the experience was as good as it gets. So good in fact that it still impresses in 2026 even when viewed as a contemporary title. Nintendo truly spared no expense. This was the core Zelda team with a large budget remaking one of the medium’s most important games over the course of three years. The results speak for themselves, it’s hard not to be in awe with each and every step you take through the land of Hyrule. This is a remake of my favorite game of all time. To see it treated with such care, knowing it will foster a new generation of fans that will include my own children makes me as emotional as the story of the Hero of Time itself. Legends are meant to be passed on. Nintendo has done so admirably. Final score: ⭐️ 10/10 - A MUST PLAY