The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake has debuted with a Metacritic score of 96, making it the highest-rated game of 2026 so far. The score is based on more than 80 critic reviews published on November 4, a day before the game’s worldwide release on Nintendo Switch 2.
The Ocarina of Time remake Metacritic score places it in the review aggregator’s “Universal Acclaim” category, which applies to games that receive a Metascore of 90 or higher. It also puts the remake among the top 20 to 25 highest-rated games in Metacritic’s database.
With a score of 96, the remake now sits alongside several critically acclaimed releases, including Elden Ring, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Baldur’s Gate 3, all of which share the same Metascore.
The remake hasn’t quite matched the reception of the original Nintendo 64 release, which launched in 1998 and still holds a Metacritic score of 99. That remains one of the highest scores ever recorded on the platform.
Other games ranked above the remake include SoulCalibur and Grand Theft Auto IV, both at 98, while Super Mario Galaxy, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Red Dead Redemption 2 hold scores of 97.
Nintendo is releasing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake worldwide on November 5, 2026, as one of its major first-party releases for Nintendo Switch 2. The game will unlock at midnight in each region, with digital pre-downloads already available ahead of launch.
The remake introduces several gameplay and presentation improvements designed around Switch 2 hardware. These include fully voiced characters, a dedicated jump button, updated rolling controls, and interactive features that use the console’s microphone.
Nintendo is also offering a physical edition featuring foil cover artwork alongside the digital release.
