Sorry Activision, But Call of Duty: MW4 Isn’t Bigger Than the Ocarina of Time Remake

Activision thinks Call of Duty beats Zelda, but nostalgia makes Ocarina of Time a bigger threat.

A split image featuring a soldier in tactical gear on the left and a fantasy character resembling a young elf in green attire on the right, holding a small fish.

Published: Oct 16, 2026, 3:31 pm Updated: Oct 16, 2026, 3:31 pm

Primary Subject: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake vs. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
Key Update: An opinion piece critiques Activision CMO Tyler Bahl's claim that Call of Duty and GTA are the year's biggest titles, arguing that the Ocarina of Time Remake will outsell Modern Warfare 4 through multi-generational nostalgia.
Status: Confirmed
Last Verified: October 16, 2026
Quick Answer: While Activision claims Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is a top title, the Ocarina of Time Remake possesses broader cross-demographic appeal and historic legacy that will easily outsell shooters.

During an interview with The Game Business, Activision CMO Tyler Bahl said, “Well, no offense to Zelda, but [GTA and COD] are the two biggest games of the year.”

When I first heard it, I was surprised. As we all know, GTA 6 is the most-anticipated game of the year. However, the Ocarina of Time Remake is nothing to sneeze at. The previous games were all major successes and were part of a generation's childhood. It's no exaggeration to say it's one of the biggest games of the year.

And sadly, I don't think Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is one of them.

GTA 6 and Ocarina of Time Remake are The Biggest Games of the Year

As popular as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is, I don't think it holds a candle to how big the Ocarina of Time Remake will be. One thing that Bahl may have forgotten is how critical legacy works. Just take a look at the Metacritic scores - Ocarina of Time is the highest-rated game of all time, while the most popular Call of Duty games struggle to crack the top 70.

A soldier in tactical gear holds a rifle, standing in front of a burning building, with flames illuminating the scene.

A lot of studios think only major action blockbusters will be major hits - and that just isn't true. When you look at who specifically buys these games, Modern Warfare 4 is preaching to a very specific crowd - the live-service crowd. Zelda, on the other hand, appeals to everyone. It spans generations and borders. It's perfect for families, kids, and people who grew up playing the game.

That broad, multi-demographic reach ensures Ocarina of Time will be a massive game - even more than your average shooter. Of course, GTA 6 will be bigger with its fanfare and hype, but Ocarina of Time shouldn't be underestimated.

A character in a green tunic battles two skeleton enemies in a dimly lit room, with glowing triangles and sparks flying from their weapons.

Let's be real about what a modernized Ocarina of Time actually represents. It's not just a regular remake - it's the holy grail of video game remakes. With Call of Duty's popularity wavering, people who haven't played Call of Duty in a while will line up around the block for this.

When you combine historic nostalgia with Nintendo's modern sales power, Modern Warfare 4 isn't just going to be beaten in terms of popularity- it's going to get completely outsold.

Publishers can dismiss Nintendo all they want, but the market speaks louder. A masterclass Zelda remake on the Switch 2 won't just outsell Modern Warfare 4 - it's going to leave it in the dust.

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