The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2 has become the highest-rated game on Metacritic based on user scores, earning a 9.7 rating from 5,269 players. The achievement comes just days after the remake launched on November 5, 2026, as part of Nintendo’s celebrations for the franchise’s 40th anniversary.
According to Metacritic, the game has received “Universal Acclaim” from players, with an overwhelmingly positive response. Of the 5,269 user ratings submitted so far, approximately 5,100 are positive, accounting for 96% of the total. Another 73 ratings are mixed, representing 1%, while 139 are negative, making up the remaining 3%.
The Zelda Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake also holds an impressive 96 critic score on Metacritic, placing it among the highest-rated releases of the year.
Nintendo rebuilt the original Nintendo 64 adventure for its latest console, introducing a complete high-definition visual overhaul while preserving the game’s original dungeon layouts and story structure.
Gameplay has also received several changes, including refined character movement and a dedicated jump button. The remake introduces voice acting for characters alongside additional quality-of-life improvements intended to modernize the experience.
The original Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released for Nintendo 64 in 1998, remains Metacritic’s highest-rated game of all time based on critic reviews. It holds a 99/100 aggregate score from 22 reviews, a record that the Switch 2 remake has not surpassed.
The 1998 release helped establish several influential 3D gameplay systems, including target-locking combat and camera controls. Its approach to dungeon design and exploration also became a reference point for later action-adventure games.
The Legend of Zelda franchise was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka and debuted in 1986. The series follows Link’s adventures across Hyrule, frequently involving Princess Zelda and the Triforce, and has introduced several influential gameplay systems throughout its 40-year history.
