Nintendo EPD has delivered a faithful, one-to-one recreation of the Nintendo 64 classic with the Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2. Rather than completely reimagining the 28-year-old action-adventure title, the developers focused on overhauling the visuals, updating the control scheme, and implementing practical quality-of-life improvements. The result is a definitive edition that retains the DNA of the original while appealing to both longtime fans and players whose first entry was Breath of the Wild.
Visuals and Audio Overhaul
Played in docked mode, the updated graphical presentation immediately stands out through environmental details like light pouring into the Temple of Time, dust motes in the air, and individual blades of hay on the scarecrow Pierre. The overhauled art style brings out intricate details in Link’s clothing and dynamic water movement. Alongside the visual upgrades, the soundtrack has been entirely re-recorded with a full live orchestra, while sound effects receive a punchier delivery in surround sound. Additionally, players can hum melodies into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone to play tunes like Epona’s Song, or utilize a compatible electronic ocarina accessory from Hori.
Modern Controls and Quality-of-Life Upgrades
Exploration and combat benefit significantly from a modern setup. The right analog stick introduces full 360-degree camera movement, addressing a primary limitation of the original hardware. Link also gains a dedicated jump button for more precise platforming, alongside gyro aiming for the bow, hookshot, and fishing rod. Navigation through menus is expedited via a Breath of the Wild-style pop-up overlay accessible through the bumpers, and boots can now be mapped directly to down on the D-pad to streamline dungeon traversal, notably in the Water Temple. Finally, Navi’s dialogue has been fully voice-acted with reduced interruptions, removing the constant repetition of prompts.
