Zelda Remake Sets Metacritic Records
The Legend: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 debuted last week to immediate commercial and critical success, securing two major milestones on review aggregator Metacritic, Mashable reported.
The visually updated adventure achieved the highest aggregate critic score of any game released in 2026, sitting at 96 out of 100. The title captured the highest user score in Metacritic history with an all-time record of 9.6 out of 10 based on more than 8,750 user submissions.
Zora Domain Undergoes Frozen Transformation and Horror Elements
Kotaku reviewer highlighted a striking second-act change within Zora Domain, describing how adult Link encounters the area completely frozen over with a haunting new musical arrangement. Beneath the surface of the ice, the Zora people are visibly trapped, adding an intense layer of horror and anticipation to the classic narrative.
“If the Zora are in there now, that opens the door for them to be freed when I finish Water Temple,” reviewer wrote for Kotaku, noting that technical limitations from the original 1998 Nintendo 64 release no longer restrict the developers.
Parish wrote that the Switch 2 version reaffirms that no other game has ever nailed that exploration formula quite as well.
Reviewers Praise Combat Controls but Criticize Modernization Choices
Noisy Pixel reviewer Orpheus Joshua praised the improved controls and tactile combat feedback, writing that “blocking and attacking feel remarkably tactile thanks to excellent audiovisual feedback.” However, Joshua criticized certain modernization choices, such as the exclusion of multiple save slots and the reliance on the Zelda Notes smartphone app for Gossip Quests.
Weldon also mentioned that Mido’s character arc is subtly rewritten, shifting the Kokiri bully into a more well-intentioned authority figure.
Upcoming Gaming Releases
Mashable noted that Nintendo’s current user score record could face a challenge when Grand Theft Auto VI launches on Nov. 19. Until then, Ocarina of Time maintains its position atop the platform’s user rankings following its Nov. 5 release.
How User Scores Compare on Metacritic
How does the Switch 2 user score compare to the original N64 version?
The original Nintendo 64 release holds the all-time critic score record on Metacritic with a 99 out of 100. By contrast, the Switch 2 remake holds the historic user score record with a 9.6 out of 10.
Does Metacritic verify purchases for user reviews?
Metacritic does not require proof of purchase for user review scores. This means scores can be submitted by anyone regardless of whether they have played the game.
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