Zelda: Ocarina of Time Outshines The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in One Major Way

For years, fans hoped Nintendo would remake or remaster The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a game that remains one of the highest-rated titles ever listed on Metacritic. That long-awaited revival became reality in 2026: Nintendo announced a Switch 2 remake earlier this year, and the game arrived in stores this week.

Nintendo has faced criticism for leaning on remakes and remasters to expand the Switch 2 library. Yet these releases have repeatedly pleased players and earned strong reviews, suggesting the approach still has plenty of appeal. The new Ocarina of Time also illustrates how a thoughtfully timed re-release can feel more special than another edition of a game that has been available for years, such as The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.

By November 2026, Skyrim had appeared on 13 distinct platforms, including the now-defunct Google Stadia and Amazon Alexa. It has also received VR editions and releases bundled with expansions and fan-made content. First released on Nov. 10, 2011, the game has since reached audiences across an extraordinary range of devices.

Ocarina of Time, by comparison, has made far fewer stops since its 1998 debut. Its relative scarcity helps each new edition feel like an occasion in its own right—a feeling reflected in the excitement surrounding the 2026 release.

Following its Nintendo 64 launch, the game appeared in two North American GameCube releases. One was part of The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition, a collection that also featured Majora’s Mask, the original NES games, and a The Wind Waker demo. A separate compilation paired Ocarina of Time with Master Quest, which had previously been available only for Japan’s Nintendo 64DD.

In June 2011, Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D for the 3DS. The handheld edition added practical quality-of-life updates, enhanced textures, and a stereoscopic 3D effect that gave Hyrule a new sense of depth. For players comfortable with the small screen, it remained an excellent way to revisit the adventure for years.

The Switch 2 version goes further with updated controls, additional convenience features, and a substantial visual overhaul. Its storybook-inspired art direction gives Hyrule a fresh look, and critics have responded enthusiastically: the remake currently holds a score of 96 out of 100 on Metacritic.

Nintendo could not take for granted that a remake would win over everyone. Although Ocarina of Time is widely regarded as a landmark, some players find its mechanics showing their age, while others simply do not connect with the Zelda series. Even so, the development team appears to have delivered a version that appeals to longtime fans and newcomers discovering Hyrule for the first time.

The contrast with the reception of yet another Skyrim release is hard to miss. Bethesda has given players so many chances to return to its best-selling game that there is little time for nostalgia to build. Another edition always seems to be on the horizon—and more may arrive before The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel finally reaches players.

New Skyrim releases can include real improvements, but the changes often feel modest to anyone who has already played the original and its expansions. One of the game’s more memorable platform-specific additions came to Nintendo systems with Zelda-themed equipment. Beginning with the Switch release in November 2017, players could outfit the Dragonborn with Link’s Champion’s Tunic, Master Sword, and Hylian Shield.

There is nothing inherently wrong with bringing beloved games to new platforms. Re-releases can introduce classics to fresh audiences and save players from digging out old consoles. The frustration comes when a premium-priced edition offers little beyond a new platform logo, with few meaningful upgrades or additions. Ocarina of Time, one of Nintendo’s signature games, has largely avoided that problem. Skyrim, Bethesda’s most successful release to date, has not.