OCARINA OF TIME ON SWITCH 2: THE LEGEND, REBUILT WITH CARE
9.5 of 10 bananas. Nintendo rebuilt the 1998 classic for Switch 2 with new visuals, voiced cutscenes, an orchestral score, modern controls, and a progress tracker. Critics call it the best way to play Ocarina, and the year's highest rated game.
By the Alpha. Full review. Switch 2 game listing. Updated Nov 5 2026.
Honest note: This is not a fresh hands-on playtest. The game came out today, and I have not finished it. I built this verdict from launch reviews and critic consensus, including Metacritic, GamesRadar, IGN as reported by others, and RPG Site as reported by GGRecon, plus Nintendo's own feature list. If I put real hours in on stream, I will update the score and say so.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 only (developed and published by Nintendo, released November 5 2026). Single player. Not on the original Switch, PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. The Amazon button is the US Switch 2 physical game. At my Nov 5 2026 launch day check it was sold by Amazon.com at 69.00 dollars, and stock looked low. Sellers and prices change, so look at the seller before you pay.
Get Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 on AmazonSit with me a moment. In 1998 I was a younger gorilla with a gray cartridge and a fairy who would not stop saying hey listen. Today the troop gets that same journey, rebuilt from the ground up. The reviews are in, and the old legend still stands.
What It Wants To Be
This is a full remake of the Nintendo 64 classic. Link becomes the Hero of Time, travels between childhood and adulthood, and stops Ganondorf from claiming the Triforce. Nintendo added overhauled visuals, voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, an orchestral soundtrack, jump and dash buttons, right stick camera, a Threads of Time progress tracker, and boss rematches.
What Works
Critics put it at 96 on Metacritic from more than 80 reviews, all positive, which makes it the highest rated game of 2026 so far. That is above Ocarina of Time 3D at 94 and below the original's 99. GamesRadar called it a remake for the ages. Reviewers praise the visuals, the music, the modern controls, and the thoughtful quality of life changes that make it the best entry point for new players.
What Breaks
Listen well. Not everyone is starry eyed. IGN scored it 9 out of 10 and felt the streamlined dungeons take some of the magic out of solving them, and RPG Site gave it 8 out of 10, saying it is built for new players first. Some reviews list loading screens, limited voice acting, and no way to finish side quests after the ending. It is faithful, which means it rarely surprises veterans.
Who Should Play
Play it if you own a Switch 2, whether Ocarina is part of your childhood or you never played it. Veterans who want the old puzzle difficulty should know the dungeons are friendlier now.
STRENGTHS
- A faithful, beautiful rebuild
- Modern controls and camera
- Orchestral score and voiced scenes
- Sold by Amazon.com at launch
HONEST COSTS
- Friendlier dungeons for veterans
- Some loading and limited voice acting
- No side quests after the ending
- Stock looked low at my check
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