The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2 has received its first reported review score, earning 37 out of 40 from Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu. The verdict arrives shortly before Nintendo’s November 5, 2026 release and highlights improvements to the classic adventure’s camera, controls and presentation, alongside some criticism of its traditional game design.
Famitsu’s four reviewers awarded the remake individual scores of 9, 9, 9 and 10, producing a combined total of 37/40. The Japanese publication uses a four-reviewer scoring system in which each critic assigns a score out of ten, with the results added together for a final rating.
The review praises the remake’s smoother camera movement, more responsive controls and improved gameplay flow. Its updated graphics also received positive feedback, suggesting that Nintendo’s efforts to modernize the 1998 adventure have made a favorable impression on Famitsu’s reviewers.
However, the assessment was not entirely positive. Reviewers noted that Ocarina of Time retains a relatively straightforward structure compared with many modern games. They also identified occasional moments where players might struggle to determine their next objective.
The 37/40 score places the Switch 2 remake alongside The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, which received the same rating from Famitsu when it launched on Nintendo 3DS in 2011.
The original Nintendo 64 release achieved a perfect 40/40 in 1998, becoming the first game in Famitsu’s history to receive the magazine’s maximum score. Although the new remake falls three points short of that landmark result, its rating indicates a similarly positive reception from the publication’s reviewers.
Nintendo has rebuilt Ocarina of Time specifically for Switch 2, introducing substantially upgraded visuals, orchestral music, expanded character dialogue and fully voiced cutscenes. The remake also features free jumping, revised movement controls and changes to the Water Temple, alongside a modernized camera system that allows players to look around environments more freely.
These improvements are particularly relevant to Famitsu’s assessment because the camera and movement systems were among the features singled out for praise. Nintendo has also introduced a Threads of Time feature that allows players to review story progress and check their next objective, potentially helping with some of the navigation uncertainty identified in the review.
The visual overhaul extends beyond higher-resolution environments. Nintendo has shared redesigned character and environment concepts showing how the remake reinterprets the original game’s visual identity while retaining its recognizable locations and characters.
Other additions include microphone support for playing ocarina melodies and Zelda Notes integration through the Nintendo Switch App, which provides adventure tracking and additional activities.
Famitsu’s verdict offers an early independent assessment of the remake, but it represents one publication’s judgment rather than a broader critical consensus. Additional reviews are expected around the game’s release, providing a clearer picture of how critics assess its redesigned gameplay and presentation.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.
