Ocarina of Time Remake Takes Top Spot on Metacritic for 2026

The latest critical reviews for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake have officially landed, securing the title as the highest-rated game of 2026 so far. According to GamesRadar+, the game currently holds an impressive 96 on Metacritic. This score is derived from 42 professional reviews, all of which fall into the positive category. Notably, 25 of those outlets have awarded the title a perfect score on their respective scales.

In the official GamesRadar+ review, staff writer Anna Koselke awarded the game a perfect five out of five. Koselke described it as a remake for the ages, noting that it manages to recreate one of the most beautiful games to date without compromising the magic of its 1998 predecessor, instead adding to that legacy. Interestingly, the development process for this iteration involved some specific creative constraints; the game originally featured a quality-of-life feature seen in Breath of the Wild, but series producer Eiji Aonuma instructed developers to remove it, citing concerns that it would ruin important moments within the narrative.

How it stacks up

While a 96 is a major success, it falls just short of the original N64 version of Ocarina of Time. That 1998 release remains the highest-rated game of all time with a score of 99. However, the new remake has successfully outperformed Nintendo’s previous effort to modernize the classic, Ocarina of Time 3D, which currently holds a score of 94. The 2026 remake has also managed to climb above other high-profile releases this year, including Phantom Blade Zero, Resident Evil Requiem, and Pokemon Pokopia. The industry is now waiting to see if upcoming titles, such as the highly anticipated GTA 6, will be able to unseat the remake from its current position at the top of the 2026 charts.

Why it matters

For players, this critical acclaim confirms that the latest iteration successfully balances modernization with the core identity of the original. It serves as a definitive way to experience the iconic adventure. As the year progresses, players can continue to monitor the 2026 release calendar to see if any forthcoming games challenge this lead. Those interested in the future of the platform and similar Nintendo titles can sign up for the Switch 2 Spotlight newsletter to stay updated on the latest news regarding the new console and its game library.