GameRiotBeta
All Stories
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Previewed with Streamlined Controls
TrendingThe Legend of ZeldaNintendo Switch 2RemakePreview

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Previewed with Streamlined Controls

Oct 15, 20265 sources0 comments

Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has received a wave of hands-on previews, and early impressions are overwhelmingly positive. Critics from outlets including Kotaku, Eurogamer, and CGMagazine praised Nintendo for modernizing one of the most influential games ever made, with streamlined controls and a suite of quality-of-life improvements breathing new life into the 1998 classic. A new gameplay trailer also dropped alongside the previews, highlighting updated mechanics and newly revealed features such as the Hall of Fallen Foes, a dedicated arena where players can rematch previously defeated bosses.

Among the most celebrated changes is a fix to one of the original game's most notorious annoyances: the tutorial owl Kaepora Gaebora. The long-winded bird, infamous for trapping players in lengthy dialogue with a deceptively placed "No" option that loops the conversation, appears to have been significantly toned down in the remake. Previews also point to modernized item and equipment controls that bring the experience in line with contemporary action-adventure conventions. Despite some ongoing debate around the remake's updated art style, the consensus across early previews is that Ocarina of Time is shaping up to be a brilliant and respectful revisit of a timeless adventure.

Key Insights

  • 1Hands-on previews are broadly positive, with critics calling the remake a brilliant modernization of the 1998 original.
  • 2Streamlined controls and quality-of-life improvements bring the game in line with modern action-adventure conventions.
  • 3The infamous tutorial owl Kaepora Gaebora has reportedly been made far less talkative, addressing one of the original's most notorious annoyances.
  • 4A new gameplay trailer revealed the Hall of Fallen Foes feature, which lets players rematch bosses they have previously defeated.
  • 5While the remake's updated art style remains a point of debate among fans, it has not dampened enthusiasm from critics who went hands-on.

Advertisement