I recently had the chance to get my hands on the 2026 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time at the Nintendo Holiday Preview Event in New York City, and I’m happy to report that it’s shaping up to be a hit. As someone who was nine when the original title was released for the N64, I have a lot of nostalgia for this game, and I was eager to see how it would hold up with modern graphics and gameplay.
The remake is a breath of fresh air for the franchise, and it’s clear that Nintendo is trying to appeal to both old and new fans. The visual style is completely new, and the company has given the title a complete visual overhaul. I was impressed by the amount of detail in everything I saw, from the threads on Link’s tunic to the texture of his belt. The game feels more intricate than before, and it’s clear that Nintendo has put a lot of effort into making it feel modern.
A New Look for a Classic Game
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time features a whole new Link that feels more modern, and the game’s world is full of detail and beauty. The wood of the Great Deku Tree is particularly impressive, and I found myself coming back to it again and again just to admire the textures and design. The game’s sound design is also worth mentioning, with iconic sounds from the original game making a return. From opening a chest to discovering a new item, the sounds are all familiar and yet somehow feel new and improved.
Gameplay and Story
My preview was about an hour long, broken into three sections. The first was when Link meets Navi in the Kokiri Forest, the second was a short trip to Hyrule Field and Hyrule Castle Town, and the third was a journey into the Forest Temple as Adult Link. Each section was full of familiar characters and locations, but also some new surprises. The game’s puzzles and combat feel fresh and modern, and I was impressed by the amount of detail and care that has gone into the game’s design.
Quality of Life Features
One of the things that’s most impressive about the remake is the number of quality of life features that have been added. A quest log of sorts and sprinting are just two examples of the ways in which Nintendo has made the game more accessible and enjoyable for modern players. The game also features voice acting for its characters, although Link himself remains silent. This is a change that I’m still getting used to, but it’s clear that Nintendo has put a lot of thought into how to make the game feel both new and familiar.
Conclusion
Overall, I’m very excited about the 2026 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It’s clear that Nintendo has put a lot of effort into making the game feel modern and fresh, while still retaining the spirit of the original. With its beautiful graphics, engaging gameplay, and iconic sound design, this game is sure to be a hit with both old and new fans of the franchise. And at $99.99CAD / $69.99USD, it’s an absolute steal. So if you’re a fan of Zelda, or just looking for a great game to play, be sure to check out The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time when it releases on November 5th, 2026.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
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