The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time comes out tomorrow (tonight, if you’re a sicko like me staying up for it), and damn, those reviews look great. It’s a historic game, a classic that people rightfully remember and love for its incredible highs and, with hindsight, in spite of some of its weirdest lows. Having played the original recently, back in January, I can confidently say it’s mostly held up, though a remake smoothing out its roughest edges makes a lot of sense in 2026.
Ahead of that launch, though, why don’t we take a quick tour back through Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64 and remember both its best and worst moments? Let’s get some perspective on just what’s in store for us tomorrow before it hits:
Great: Darunia Dancing
I mean, just look at him go! I hope this looks just as ridiculous in the remake.
Bad: Accidentally telling Kaepora Gaebora to repeat himself
Yes, Kaepora Gaebora, I did get all that! Why are your options swapped?!
Great: Seeing a Redead for the first time
NOPE.
Bad: Jabu-Jabu
Forget the Water Temple, this is the real worst dungeon in Ocarina of Time. Carrying Ruto around while enemies attack, her crying and returning to the start at the slightest gust of wind touching her, and her berating you the entire time…the bit where she totally gives up if she sits in water really drives me nuts. You’re a Zora! Learn to swim, geez!
Great: Hyrule Castle Town in the future
Genuinely one of the most effective mood-setting moments I’ve ever encountered. Holy crap.
Bad: Getting a silver or gold rupee when your wallet is maxed out
What do you mean they don’t allow children to have large wallets? What prompted this law?
Great: Encountering Dark Link
God this room rules. How different it is from the rest of the temple. How eerie its emptiness seems. The way nothing happens until you cross the room. The structure draws your eye, so you check it out, and finding nothing, you turn to leave, only to see a weird movement near the tree at the center. Step forward and realize your shadow is gone. Navi’s incredible lack of any useful information. GOD THIS ROOM RULES.
Bad: Missing a single small key in the Water Temple
You know the one.
I’m not even going to talk about the boots.
Great: Riding Epona for the first time
Whee! She’s so fast compared to my normal running, and I feel so majestic clop-clopping through Hyrule Field! This is the best way to travel!
Bad: Riding Epona every time after that
Epona, please, I am begging you to learn to turn a little. Or jump consistently. It’s honestly more efficient to just roll.
Great: Twisty hallway in Forest Temple
What a flex by the devs!!
Bad: Doing the whole Goron sword fetch quest
The frog was cute though.
Great: King Zora scoot
I hear this was retained in the remake and I’m so happy.
Bad: Trying to find every Skulltula
My husband told me there were 100 of these and I still don’t believe him. There’s no way.
Great: Bongo Bongo’s appearance
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT.
Bad: Fighting Bongo Bongo
Ugh, I can’t aim! There’s too much going on! He’s moving too much! The floor is bouncing! Where’s my Lens of Truth?! Agh!!!
Great: Reaching Ganondorf’s second phase
An all-timer epic finale.
Bad: Running out of magic midway through the Ganondorf fight, effectively soft-locking yourself and having to start over
How was I supposed to know not to break all the pots on the bottom floor before the fight started?!
