The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Review, Guide, and Why the Switch 2 Rumours Have Us Excited Again

Let’s be honest – you can’t mention “Nintendo” and “next console” in the same sentence without every Zelda fan’s brain immediately snapping to Ocarina of Time. The rumour mill for the Switch 2 has been churning like a Goron on a roll, and the one name that keeps popping up is that glorious N64 classic. A full-blown remake? A simple upscale? I don’t care – just give it to me. But before we all get lost in speculation, let’s take a proper look back at why this game still sets the bar, and why a fresh Zelda Ocarina of Time review in 2026 is more relevant than ever.

Why Ocarina of Time Still Haunts My Dreams (And My Save Files)

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve returned to Hyrule Field. That first moment when you step out of Kokiri Forest and the world opens up? Pure magic. Even now, with all the open-world giants we’ve seen, nothing quite matches the tight, clockwork perfection of Ocarina’s dungeon design. The Water Temple still makes me want to throw my controller into the Liffey, but that’s part of the charm. A proper Zelda Ocarina of Time review has to mention that beautiful, infuriating puzzle box. It’s not just nostalgia goggles; the game’s pacing, its musical storytelling, and the way it makes you feel like a tiny speck in a war-torn world – that’s timeless.

The Switch 2 Factor: What a Remake Absolutely Needs

If the rumours are true (and I’ve got a source who swears they saw a mock-up at a pub in Reading – take that as you will), a Switch 2 version of Ocarina can’t just be a lazy port. We’ve all played the 3DS version. It was lovely. But now? I want quality-of-life fixes that don’t kill the challenge. Here’s my wishlist, and I’m not asking for much:

• Smoother iron boot swapping – No more pausing every five seconds in the Water Temple. Just map them to a shoulder button, you cowards.
• A camera stick that doesn't fight you – The original’s Z-targeting was revolutionary, but let me actually look up at the sky without feeling like I’m wrestling a Cucco.
• Visuals that keep the soul – Don’t turn it into a generic Unreal Engine demo. Keep the impressionist colours, just polish the edges.
• Master Quest included from the start – Because we’re not children anymore. I want to be humiliated by mirrored dungeons on day one.

And please, for the love of Hylia, fix the owl. You know the one. That lecturing featherbag who repeats his dialogue if you so much as breathe on the B button. A remake can finally fix the game’s worst aspect, and I will buy a Switch 2 limited edition just for that patch alone.

A Proper Ocarina of Time Guide: Getting Through the Early Game Without Tears

Alright, you’ve dusted off your old save or you’re jumping in for the first time. Here’s a quick Zelda Ocarina of Time guide for the opening hours that won't spoil the fun. First, don’t rush to the Deku Tree. Explore the Lost Woods a bit – there’s a Skull Kid who gives you a heart piece if you play Saria’s Song back to him. Second, how to use Zelda Ocarina of Time properly: the ocarina isn’t just for warping. Learn the Sun’s Song (play Right, Left, Right, Left on the C-buttons) as soon as you leave the Temple of Time. It freezes ReDeads and turns night to day. Absolute lifesaver.

Also, a pro tip that no guide told me back in ‘98: when you reach Hyrule Castle as a kid, sneak past the guards by walking – not rolling – behind the crates. And buy the Hylian Shield before you enter Death Mountain. Trust me. You don’t want to face a Tektite with a wooden shield that burns faster than my patience for the owl.

The Verdict (Decades Later)

So here we are, waiting for Nintendo to pull the trigger on a Switch 2 announcement. Will we get a full Zelda Ocarina of Time remake? I’d bet my Master Sword replica on it. But even if we don’t, this game remains the gold standard. It’s the reason every action-adventure since has borrowed its lock-on, its time travel, its melancholic tone. If you’ve never played it, do yourself a favour: grab a used 3DS or fire up the N64 emulator. And if you have played it a hundred times like me, start practising those ocarina songs now. Because when that Switch 2 drops, we’re going back to Hyrule – and this time, I’m not leaving until Ganon knows my name.