Many people got their hands on one of the most anticipated games of 2026 (and there are a lot of wonderful games that dropped this year), The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. We no longer have to rely on critic reviews or influencer videos, but rather, we can experience it for ourselves. Expectations are a funny thing though, as it can leave us disappointed or pleasantly surprised. For those that have begun their journey as the Hero of Time, what are YOUR first impressions?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake booted up in the same manner as the 1998 version. However, this time, we see a fully realized Hyrule and orchestrated music. This is no surprise, but I kept the title screen running all the way through and let myself become overrun by goosebumps. When I officially launched a new game, I was taken to the intricate tapestry with a narrator describing the Kokiri, The Great Deku Tree, and the boy without a fairy— basically what we’ve already seen in the trailer.
As soon as I was able to control Link, I bee-lined toward my objectives to obtain the Kokiri Sword and Deku shield. Everything was where I remember they were located; however, I was blown away by how much larger Kokiri Forest felt. It was pretty much the same size; however, the level of detail made the world feel larger than life. My memory of the game took me through the first dungeon, The Great Deku Tree, in breakneck speed, and in a sense, I was mildly disappointed that all the puzzles were exactly the same. Thankfully, I discovered that this was not always the case.
Some Interesting Differences
I’ll only list some notable differences seen toward the beginning of the game, and perhaps I’ll follow up with a comprehensive review when enough people have had the time to complete Ocarina of Time.
The first major difference was Kaepora Gaebora. I was very interested to see how the dialogue would play out and how Nintendo would present our options. As much as the wise owl was wicked annoying in the original, it became a running joke, and I was a little sad that this modernized version kept his monologues short, and he wasn’t interested in tricking us to listen to him again.
Speaking of seeing if old things remain, I chopped down signs and played Zelda’s Lullaby. I am pleased to report that it still repairs those signs! While this seemed obvious to me, my partner, who never played Ocarina of Time was confused why I was so excited to destroy a wooden sign. Nintendo also kept the guard who throws a bomb at you if you use your slingshot on a window in the Hyrule Castle courtyard where you meet Princess Zelda.
I was pleasantly surprised that, while most Gold Skulltulas are located exactly where I last remembered them, this is not always the case. Many of these babies hid up in trees in the original, but I noticed several trees cannot be shaken when you roll up to them. This is very minor, but I was pleased knowing that there will still a sense of mystery and exploration in trying to locate them all.
As mentioned earlier, this remake definitely added a “depth” to the world, making it feel more fleshed out even if the spaces themselves weren’t much larger. I definitely felt this in Hyrule Castle Town and Kakariko Village. My memory homed in on the locations of Richard the Dog, the person who insists on selling them something, the missing Cuccos, and much more, but the environment’s depth posed enough challenge against my memories, almost inviting me to feel as if I were experiencing the game for the first time. Also, speaking of Cuccos, I’m glad that Nintendo still punishes you for hitting them too many times.
The new character models and voice acting were nice, although they weren’t the shining star of the remake for me. Shocker, right? It’s because our senses and sight and sound are the most obvious to notice, but it doesn’t mean it makes for the most impactful experience. It was how Nintendo nailed the gameplay in a modern setting. My partner and I explained how Ocarina of Time still felt like a video game from the 90s and yet felt fresh and exciting.
Overall, my personal first impressions were that it’s mostly a 1 for 1, but additional secrets and slight changes make it fresh enough for a seasoned veteran like myself and interesting enough for a newbie. Some experiences in dungeons have been updated and tightened up, and environmental depth makes the world more lived in.
What was your initial impressions thus far? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
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Nintendo Pow Block is a weekly Nintendo podcast hosted by Edward Varnell, Corey Dirrig, and their friends from around the internet. Each week, they dive into the latest Nintendo news and rumors for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, new and upcoming releases, updates to Nintendo Switch Online and the Nintendo Music app, and discuss what they’ve been playing in the Playing with Power segment.
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