Ocarina of Time Switch 2 reviews: Metacritic 96

The Ocarina of Time Switch 2 reviews are in, and they are glowing. Nintendo's remake has a Metascore of 96, making it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far. It launches on November 5.

The review embargo lifted on November 4. By the evening, Metacritic listed more than 80 reviews, none of them mixed or negative. The game also received its first update on the same day.

What did Ocarina of Time Switch 2 score on Metacritic?

The remake sits at 96. According to VGC, that put it at the top of Metacritic's best games of 2026 at the time of writing, ahead of previous leader Sektori on 93. Nintendo Life lists Resident Evil 2: Deluxe Edition (93), The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - Remaster (92) and Big Walk (91) next.

The score is also high enough for Metacritic's all-time list. VGC had it at 24th, ahead of Half-Life, Elden Ring and Mass Effect 2. The top spot still belongs to the original Nintendo 64 version with its 99. Since many games share a 96, the remake's exact position may shift as more reviews arrive.

What are critics saying?

Many of the early reviews on Metacritic are perfect scores. GamesRadar+, Destructoid, Dexerto and Eurogamer Germany all gave it 100. GamesRadar+ called it 'a remake for the ages', while Destructoid said it is a must-play whether you are a series fan or not. VGC awarded five stars, praising Nintendo for adding thoughtful modern touches rather than reinventing the game.

There are some reservations. IGN called it an exceptional remake but felt the slightly streamlined dungeons dull the thrill of solving them. Dutch outlet Gameliner noted that its faithfulness means the adventure rarely surprises. Nintendo Life headlined its review 'a stunning remake, but not quite definitive'.

Update 1.1.1 and ZELDA NOTES

Ahead of launch, Nintendo moved the game from version 1.0.0 to 1.1.1. Patch notes on Nintendo's Japanese support page say it adds ZELDA NOTES support and fixes several issues. ZELDA NOTES runs in the Nintendo Switch app, where it records your achievements, quizzes you on the game and lets you create and share ocarina melodies. You do not need Nintendo Switch Online to use it. Nintendo Life puts the update at around 343MB and the full game at 24.8GB.

Is Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 worth buying?

Based on the reviews, the answer is mostly yes. Dashing, free jumping, gyro aiming and fully voiced cutscenes make the 1998 classic feel at home today, and it looks like a strong entry point for newcomers. Long-time fans may want to weigh the streamlined dungeons. Since it is a Switch 2 exclusive, original Switch owners will not be able to play this version.

For a rundown of what is new, read our piece on eight new features in Ocarina of Time on Switch 2. For the hardware itself, see our Nintendo Switch 2 overview.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ocarina of Time Switch 2's Metacritic score?

As of the evening of November 4, it holds a Metascore of 96 from more than 80 critic reviews, all of them positive.

When does Ocarina of Time come out on Switch 2?

It launches on November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. In the US it costs $59.99 digital and $69.99 physical; in Europe it is €59.99, and £49.99 in the UK.

What does Ocarina of Time update 1.1.1 add?

Version 1.1.1 adds ZELDA NOTES support and fixes several issues. Nintendo Life reports the update is around 343MB, with the game taking up 24.8GB in total.

Sources

• Metacritic: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026)
• VGC: Ocarina of Time remake tops Metacritic's best games of 2026
• Nintendo Life: Ocarina of Time remake tops Metacritic's GOTY list
• Nintendo Life: Ocarina of Time Version 1.1.1 patch notes
• IGN: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Review
• Nintendo: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time