Famitsu publishes first scores for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake on Nintendo Switch 2
Japanese weekly magazine Famitsu has published its initial review for Nintendo’s Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, assigning a combined score of 37 out of 40.
Famitsu’s four reviewers awarded the game individual scores of 9, 9, 9 and 10, reflecting strong critical approval across multiple playtesters.
In its write-up, Famitsu praised the remake’s technical and mechanical updates, highlighting a smoother camera system, tightened movement and control schemes, and upgraded visuals.
Reviewers noted these changes improved gameplay flow and modernized the title’s presentation.
At the same time, Famitsu observed that the remake maintains a relatively simple design compared with many contemporary releases and that there are occasional moments when players may feel uncertain about their immediate objectives.
The remake carries notable historical weight: when the original Nintendo 64 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launched, Famitsu awarded it a perfect score.
That milestone remains a prominent part of the franchise’s critical legacy and frames current coverage of the Switch 2 edition.
What the remake includes
Nintendo’s remake reimagines Link’s two-era adventure across Hyrule with fully overhauled visuals and several audio and UI updates.
The release features fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral arrangements, and reworked camera and movement controls intended for the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
The remake also preserves the series’ signature mechanics—learning ocarina tunes that alter the world and open new paths—and integrates input options that use the console’s built-in microphone so players can play or hum melodies in-range of the system.
Complementary services and accessories
The title is supported by a Zelda Notes companion service available through the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices, offering tools to track progress, create and share melodies, and a daily quiz feature with more than 2,000 questions.
Nintendo has also announced new compatible amiibo figures—Young Link and Young Zelda—slated to arrive in 2027; using these figures unlocks special in-game masks with retro graphical effects.
Additional amiibo from The Legend of Zelda series provide in-game item bonuses.
What’s next
More review scores are expected to be published in the coming hours and days; outlets typically release roundups as additional critiques go live.
We will monitor incoming coverage and provide a consolidated summary of critical reception for the Nintendo Switch 2 remake as reviews appear.
Japanese weekly magazine Famitsu has published its initial review for Nintendo’s Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, assigning a combined score of 37 out of 40.
Famitsu’s four reviewers awarded the game individual scores of 9, 9, 9 and 10, reflecting strong critical approval across multiple playtesters.
In its write-up, Famitsu praised the remake’s technical and mechanical updates, highlighting a smoother camera system, tightened movement and control schemes, and upgraded visuals.
Reviewers noted these changes improved gameplay flow and modernized the title’s presentation.
At the same time, Famitsu observed that the remake maintains a relatively simple design compared with many contemporary releases and that there are occasional moments when players may feel uncertain about their immediate objectives.
The remake carries notable historical weight: when the original Nintendo 64 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launched, Famitsu awarded it a perfect score.
That milestone remains a prominent part of the franchise’s critical legacy and frames current coverage of the Switch 2 edition.
What the remake includes
Nintendo’s remake reimagines Link’s two-era adventure across Hyrule with fully overhauled visuals and several audio and UI updates.
The release features fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral arrangements, and reworked camera and movement controls intended for the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware.
The remake also preserves the series’ signature mechanics—learning ocarina tunes that alter the world and open new paths—and integrates input options that use the console’s built-in microphone so players can play or hum melodies in-range of the system.
Complementary services and accessories
The title is supported by a Zelda Notes companion service available through the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices, offering tools to track progress, create and share melodies, and a daily quiz feature with more than 2,000 questions.
Nintendo has also announced new compatible amiibo figures—Young Link and Young Zelda—slated to arrive in 2027; using these figures unlocks special in-game masks with retro graphical effects.
Additional amiibo from The Legend of Zelda series provide in-game item bonuses.
What’s next
More review scores are expected to be published in the coming hours and days; outlets typically release roundups as additional critiques go live.
We will monitor incoming coverage and provide a consolidated summary of critical reception for the Nintendo Switch 2 remake as reviews appear.
