- Primary Subject: Ocarina of Time Remake
- Key Update: The remake addresses dated controls, visuals, and menus, offering a definitive experience.
- Status: Published
- Last Verified: 2026-10-30
- Quick Answer: This article discusses how the Ocarina of Time remake addresses the original's dated elements to offer a definitive experience for a classic game.
I’ve been taking a trip down memory lane in preparation for the Ocarina of Time remake, and let me tell you: the original feels very dated, and I absolutely get why Nintendo opted to give it a fresh coat of paint.
Now, I must preface this by saying that I don’t think it’s a bad game, nor is it one you have to enjoy solely with the mindset that it was a “product of its time.” It’s still very much a fantastic experience from top to bottom, but with the context added by modern gaming sensibilities, going back to it requires you to rewire how you think an action-adventure game should control.
There are games that, in my personal opinion, are immune to the passage of time. You pick up A Link to the Past, and it’s a gorgeous experience in every aspect: from the visuals and sprite work to the music, controls, and dungeon design, it's near-flawless to the point a remake feels completely unnecessary. That’s not the case with Ocarina of Time.
Ocarina of Time launched almost 30 years ago, back in 1998. It was a massive leap for the franchise as it ditched the 2D era and welcomed the future with 3D-rendered environments and much greater freedom of movement.
There are gripes that feel unfair to critique, and the visuals definitely land in that section. Nintendo worked wonders to bring Hyrule to life on a limited system like the Nintendo 64. Every area has a unique, distinct look, which is incredibly commendable, but the textures are rough to look at, and despite what your rose-tinted glasses might tell you, this is far from a pretty game by modern standards.
However, by far the biggest gripe I have with Ocarina of Time in 2026 is the controls. You look at Super Mario 64, and it’s a joy to cruise around the different worlds with Mario—it’s why the game remains a staple of the speedrunning community.
Ocarina of Time, on the other hand, feels clunky. Controlling the camera around Link requires you to press a button to lock it at a fixed angle until you center it again. Using the C-buttons to rotate through items feels cumbersome and slow. I spent a frustrating amount of time during my refresher playthrough wrestling with the C-buttons while trying to utilize Link’s slingshot, especially because you have to account for the archaic feel of aiming in a game built for the atrocity that was the N64 controller.
Navigating through menus is another area where time hasn’t been kind to Link’s first 3D adventure. Yes, the Water Temple is the most infamous example, but even before you get there, the menus are sluggish. The simple act of navigating them, which should be a smooth, seamless experience, feels beyond irritating.
Fortunately, almost all of these issues seem to have been addressed in the remake. The menus—although a bit derivative and clearly inspired by Breath of the Wild—look much more fluid. The updated gameplay will allow for far more freedom while exploring the vast world of Hyrule, and, of course, there are massive graphical improvements across the board.
There are remakes that feel like quick cash grabs, but in this case, I’m willing to bet Nintendo is building the Ocarina of Time remake to be the definitive way to experience one of the most influential titles in the entire industry.
And that’s it. Stick with us at Gfinityesports.com: your go-to source for all things The Legend of Zelda.