Nintendo’s Fantasy Masterpiece Is Coming To Remind You Why It’s the GOAT

2026 has been a stellar year for video games. With titles such as Pragmata and Resident Evil Requiem, the race for Game of the Year is going to be more challenging than ever, and that isn’t even including what is to come; hint, hint, nudge, nudge, Grand Theft Auto VI. But that isn’t the only game to look forward to in 2026, especially with a jam-packed September, which will put a serious dent in everyone’s wallets. E3 may be long and dead, but gamers are still thriving this time of year because of Geoff Keighley‘s Summer Game Fest, which is an assortment of events that showcase all the upcoming games to get excited about this year and in the future. Other companies, such as Xbox and PlayStation, also held presentations, revealing new games like Persona 6 and God of War Laufey.

However, if Xbox and PlayStation had their time to shine, then fans know Nintendo needs to get in on the action. A Nintendo Direct aired on June 9, mostly revealing more information about their upcoming games, such as Star Fox and Splatoon Raiders. However, Nintendo likes saving the best for last, and ended the direct with an announcement of a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The brief trailer didn’t show off much besides the stellar graphics, a glimpse of what Link looks like, and a 2026 release date. And with it being Zelda’s 40th anniversary, now is the perfect time for the remake, especially as the franchise has hit an all-time high, quality-wise. And yet, Ocarina is still the best video game ever made, and this highly anticipated remake will remind you why.

What Is ‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ About?

Originally released in 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first game in the franchise to enter the 3D realm, reinventing modern action games and establishing itself as the best Zelda game of all time. This N64 classic paved new ground by bringing the franchise into 3D and pioneering Z-targeting, which most action games have used since. Its influence is historic, still felt to this day in most mainstream fantasy efforts. When looking at its polish, innovation, quality for the time, and entertainment value today, it is hard to argue with its reputation as the all-time best game in the medium’s history, because Ocarina of Time holds up surprisingly well.

Set in the fantastical Kingdom of Hyrule, the plot centers on Link, a forest boy who lives a rather mundane life. All the other kids have a fairy companion, except for Link, until a helpful yet annoying fairy named Navi wakes him up, summoning him to the Great Deku Tree. It is revealed that Princess Zelda was kidnapped by the Gerudo King, Ganondorf, taking her away to an unknown land. Link is the only one who can save her, needing to go on an adventure through the past and future, conquering dungeons and defeating bosses in order to resurrect the sages. With the help of the sages, Link must defeat Ganondorf with the power of a third of the Triforce, making sure the evil king doesn’t get the remaining two pieces.

How Different Will the Remake Be Compared to the Original?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time still holds up pretty well, even if the graphics are outdated and the controls can feel clunky at times. However, it’s already been remade once on the 3DS, which many fans consider the best Nintendo game ever. It made many quality-of-life improvements and gave fans updated visuals to make it more palatable. Still, the 3DS remake didn’t change the story, gameplay, or reinvent anything; it simply delivered an upgraded version of the original.

However, that begs the question: what will this remake look like? There are only so many ways Nintendo could go with this new game: it could be a simple graphics upscale that keeps everything else the same, or it could be a remake with some new mechanics and polished design, or it might be a complete reimagining with new dungeons, side quests, places to explore, and gameplay. Everyone wants something different, but most fans seem keen on something entirely new, with a reimagining being the best bet. At the very least, new graphics and better controls will bring Ocarina of Time into the modern age, where new fans can experience its brilliance.

The first glimpse showed a new look at Link with by far the best graphics in any Zelda game, supporting the claim that the Ocarina of Time remake will be more of a reimagining, maybe adding extra content, redesigning the world, or making it a new experience while keeping the spirit intact. This approach can’t help but worry some fans who want that nostalgic and classic feel again, with a reimagining potentially altering what we all know and love about the game. Either way, it is likely that this remake will be one of the best Nintendo Switch games, with it already being a system seller as many fans try to get a Switch 2 before the price increases in September. The potential price for the game is already raising some eyebrows, but for now, we all remain hopeful.

Will ‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ Remake Win Game of the Year?

Image via Nintendo

Almost every game that was originally scheduled for the last few months in 2026 has been pushed up to September or delayed to 2027 in order to avoid the inevitable storm that is Grand Theft Auto VI. It seems that everyone will be playing this game come November, and with it being in development for so long, it is likely to be the eventual Game of the Year winner. It does have some competition, and its biggest rival is the newly announced Ocarina of Time remake. As a remake, it is unlikely that Ocarina of Time will take the award, but it is one of the few games capable of giving GTA VI a run for its money. Still, seeing these two juggernauts spearhead a hectic holiday season will be magnificent, as two of the greatest video games of all time come out at the end of 2026.

There aren’t many better games than Ocarina of Time, if any, and that is a legacy which has been kept for decades. A remake is a risky thing, because while it will sell well, what if it doesn’t live up to the original? The 1998 game redefined the modern age of gaming, and while the remake is unlikely to do that, the best it can do is to expand on what made the first game great. Remaking Ocarina of Time must bring something that the audience has seen before, while not straying too far from what made the first one good. Hopefully, it’ll mean new dungeons, voice acting, side quests, incredible visuals, and maybe some new areas to explore.

And yet, it’s hard not to think the remake will cement Ocarina of Time as the all-time greatest video game in the medium’s history. It is the perfect 40th anniversary present to fans, a huge ordeal that Zelda fans are excited about. Plus, with The Legend of Zelda movie coming out in 2027, fans are eating well. A movie and a remake within half a year is better than anything fans thought they would get, but that truly means Nintendo is putting everything into making this anniversary special. It would be surprising if the Ocarina of Time remake were disappointing. It may not surpass the original, but this reimagining is exactly what the franchise needs, further proving that this is the best year for gaming in a long time.

Fans can play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake sometime in 2026 on the Nintendo Switch 2.