With a Metascore of 96, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has become the highest-rated game of 2026 so far, putting Nintendo's Switch 2 remake ahead of every other release reviewed this year. The original 1998 Nintendo 64 game still holds Metacritic's highest score ever, with a 99 that no other game has matched.
The remake has also secured a place among Metacritic's 30 highest-rated games of all time. At the time of writing, it sits at No. 29, according to the site's latest ranking reported by Top Gear on November 9.
Nearly three decades after its original release, Nintendo has brought Link's adventure back with more than a visual overhaul. Reviews suggest the studio has found a way to modernise the experience while preserving the characters, atmosphere and sense of discovery that made the original a landmark in gaming.
Emmanuel Umahi
Ocarina of Time comes close to beating its own original
The remake's 96 Metascore puts it just three points behind its predecessor, an impressive result for a game revisiting an experience that many players already consider one of the greatest ever made.
According to VGC's November 4 report, the remake had already accumulated around 70 critic reviews when it reached the top of Metacritic's 2026 rankings. It also pushed twin-stick shooter Sektori, which had a score of 93, into second place.
Its all-time position is another notable achievement. At the time of writing, the remake sits at No. 29, three places above the original Gran Turismo, the PlayStation classic that helped define racing games.
That puts Nintendo's latest release among some of the most critically acclaimed games in the medium's history, even as the original Ocarina of Time continues to occupy the top spot.
Voice acting and gameplay changes give the remake a new identity
One of the biggest changes in Nintendo's remake is something players never experienced in the original: fully voiced character dialogue.
For the first time, characters such as Navi, Saria and Ganondorf have spoken dialogue, alongside Zelda, the Great Deku Tree and other major figures. Link remains silent, but giving the rest of Hyrule a voice adds a new dimension to familiar encounters and makes the story's emotional moments more engaging.
GamesRadar reviewer Anna Koselke highlighted this change in her November 4 review, praising how the new performances and expanded cutscenes bring more personality to the characters. She awarded the game a perfect five out of five, describing it as "a remake for the ages."
The gameplay has received its share of improvements, too. Players now have a free camera, more responsive aiming, the ability to jump on command and an increased bottle capacity, allowing Link to carry five bottles instead of the original limit of four.
Nintendo has also redesigned parts of the dungeons, introduced new puzzle mechanics and added smaller environmental puzzles that reward exploration. These changes give returning players fresh reasons to revisit familiar locations while making the adventure more accessible to newcomers.
VGC also awarded the remake five stars, praising Nintendo's decision to introduce thoughtful modernisations without completely reinventing the original. Its review described the result as a remarkable restoration of one of gaming's most beloved adventures.
Not every change will satisfy longtime fans
Despite the strong reviews, Nintendo hasn't addressed every request from longtime Ocarina of Time players.
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