Nintendo has launched a remake of the 1990s classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to celebrate the franchise's 40th anniversary. The title has received critical acclaim, debuting with a 96 Metacritic score.
A 96 Metacritic Score and the Weight of Nostalgia
The critical reception for the Ocarina of Time remake has been overwhelmingly positive, with the title securing a 96 out of 100 on the aggregator site Metacritic. according to the report, US outlet IGN described the release as an "exceptional remake" and a "rich adventure" that manages to stand on its own merit despite being a reimagining of an older story . Keza MacDonald of the Guardian further praised the Nintendo development team for transforming a 1990s peak into one of the best games of the 2020s.
This critical success is mirrored by intense emotional resonance among long-term fans. Takumi Kawata, a 27-year-old gamer in Tokyo, noted that the improved graphics are a significant draw for those who grew up with the original Nintendo 64 version released in 1996. For many, as noted by US tourist Marissa Olvera, the Zelda series represents a childhood bonding experience, making the remake more than just a technical upgrade but a nostalgic return to a formative era of gaming.
From Shigeru Miyamoto's 1986 Vision to 55 Million Sales
The release of this remake serves as a milestone for a franchise that has evolved significantly since Shigeru Miyamoto first created The Legend of Zelda in 1986. The series has transitioned from the linear challenges of the 1990s to the massive, open-air environments seen in recent years. As reported by AFP, the two most recent major entries—Breath of the Wild (2017) and Tears of the Kingdom (2023)—combined for more than 55 million copies sold.
By returning to Ocarina of Time, Nintendo is bridging the gap between the series' foundational storytelling and its modern commercial scale.. The narrative core remains the same: the warrior Link must battle the demon Ganondorf to rescue Princess Zelda. However, the application of modern visuals to this classic plot allows Nintendo to maintain its prestige among legacy players while introducing the series' most influential story to a generation that may have never owned a Nintendo 64.
The Switch 2's Role in Nintendo's Quarterly Profit Dip
The timing of the Ocarina of Time launch is strategically tied to Nintendo's hardware cycle. The report indicates that the Switch 2, released in 2025 , has already become the world's fastest-selling games console. Market analysts are now closely monitoring how a high-prestige title like this remake can further accelerate those hardware sales, creating a "must-have" software incentive for consumers to upgrade their systems.
Despite the hardware momentum, Nintendo reported a drop in quarterly net profit on Thursday. While the company has maintained its annual forecasts, the contrast between the "fastest-selling" status of the Switch 2 and a dip in net profit suggests a complex financial tranition. It remains to be seen if the surge in software sales from the 40th-anniversary celebrations can stabilize the company's short-term earnings.
Eiji Aonuma's Anxiety and the Missing Sales Figures
Behind the scenes, the production of the remake was fraught with tension. Eiji Aonuma, the producer of the new Ocarina of Time, admitted to AFP last month that he was "all nervous" and unable to stop thinking about how the public would receive the game. While the 96 Metacritic score provides some relief, several concrete details remain absent from the current reporting.
Specifically, the report does not disclose the exact dollar amount of the quarterly net profit drop, nor does it provide specific sales targets for the Ocarina of Time remake. Furthermore, while the source highlights the praise from IGN and the Guardian, it does not include any critical counter-arguments or negative feedback from reviewers, leaving the full spectrum of the game's reception partially obscured.
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