Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Is Officially the Highest-Rated Game of 2026

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake has officially become the highest-rated game of 2026 as reviews come out ahead of its November 5 release on Nintendo Switch 2. The remake currently holds an impressive 96 Metascore on Metacritic, putting it ahead of every other game released this year and in the top 30 of all time.

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Reviews! 10 – VGC 10 – GamesRadar 10 – Console Creatures 10 – Destructoid 10 – Eurogamer 10 – Nintenduo 10 – Gameliner 10 – Saudi Gamer 9.5 – Wccftech 9 – IGN 9 – GameSpot 9 – Nintendo Life 8 – RPG Site Metacritic – 96 OpenCritic – 97 https://t.co/S9idAb5bHX

— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) November 4, 2026

While it hasn’t surpassed the historic 99 Metascore of the original Nintendo 64 title, Nintendo certainly seems to have recreated the magic of the 1998 classic. Deciding to remake one of the most influential video games ever made appears to have paid off spectacularly.

Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Becomes 2026’s Highest-Rated Game on Metacritic

According to Metacritic, the Ocarina of Time Remake currently sits at a remarkable 96/100, based on 80 critic reviews (as of Nov. 4, 2026). The remake has also received an extraordinary number of perfect scores, with 46 publications awarding it 100/100. GamesRadar+, Eurogamer, VGC, Destructoid, TheGamer, and several other outlets have given the OOT Remake their highest possible ratings.

Here are some notable review scores for the remake:

PublicationReview Score

GamesRadar+	100
Eurogamer	100
VGC	100
Destructoid	100
TheGamer	100
SpazioGames	99
Hobby Consolas	97
Game Informer	93
GameSpot	90
IGN	90
Nintendo Life	90
RPG Site	80

Interestingly, the remake has also secured a position among Metacritic’s highest-rated games of all time. Its score of 96 places it around the top 30. However, we can expect these rankings to change as additional reviews arrive.

It currently shares its Metascore with several titles, including Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. However, the original Ocarina of Time remains at the very top with its legendary 99/100 score.

Reviews Praise The Remake’s Updated Graphics and Improvements

One of the biggest reasons for the remake’s overwhelmingly positive reception is the way Nintendo approached it. The studio didn’t completely change the gameplay, and the developers have preserved the familiar experience while also adding changes that make the entire experience more comfortable.

Review: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a remarkable Switch 2 remake and the definitive way to discover – or rediscover – one of Nintendo’s greatest masterpieces. https://t.co/7suXvJcexg

— Andy Robinson (@Andy_VGC) November 4, 2026

Zelda Ocarina of Time is a timeless masterpiece, the Switch 2 remake only proves this. It remains a great tree of ideas. I actually wish it had a few more changes but it’s delightful that this exists. Hyrule Castle Town is a highlight. https://t.co/41OIONV4Z4

— Gene Park (@GenePark) November 4, 2026

In terms of changes, the graphics upgrade is one of the most praised aspects. The reviews are highlighting the redesigned world, improved character models, and more detailed locations. Hyrule feels much more alive as each location receives additional visual touches.

The remake also features several gameplay changes, including modernized controls, a freely adjustable camera, running, motion-controlled aiming, and changes to Link’s jumping mechanics. Hyrule Castle Town is now fully explorable, and even the dungeons have been polished alongside additional puzzles that will make the experience new even for older players.

However, the remake isn’t entirely without criticism. Some reviews believe that the devs could have made bigger changes in terms of new content or a harder difficulty setting.

Will you be tuning in to the Ocarina of Time Remake when it launches this week? Let us know in the comments!