Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake shatters Metacritic user‑score record

When Nintendo finally lifted the embargo on the Ocarina of Time remake on November 5, the floodgates opened – but not just for reviews. Within 36 hours Metacritic started accepting user scores, and the numbers have been climbing ever since.

At the time of writing the average sits at a staggering 9.6, nudging it into the top spot of the site’s user‑rating leaderboard. That’s a full point above the next contender, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which, despite a massive 27 500 votes, sits at 9.4.

So why the buzz? Players are raving about the glossy new graphics, the smoother controls and the way the classic Hyrule feels fresh on the Switch 2 hardware. One reviewer even called it “the best‑looking Zelda on a handheld ever.” Still, a few voices note that the visual upgrade doesn’t come with DLSS‑style upscaling, which would have helped the shimmering landscapes.

The remake also trims some of the original’s rough edges. Dungeon navigation is less punishing, and the updated control scheme feels intuitive. On the flip side, some long‑time fans argue the changes simplify the experience a tad too much – the beloved Master Quest mode is missing, leaving a gap for those craving a tougher challenge.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. Shortly after launch a curious cluster of 0‑score submissions appeared, peppered with accusations of AI‑generated content and claims that Nintendo wasn’t adding enough new material. In other words, a classic case of review bombing.

Metacritic’s team seems to have taken action; roughly thirty‑odd suspicious entries vanished, suggesting the platform is pruning intentional spam. Even with that turbulence the overall sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive.

All told, the Ocarina of Time remake is already cementing its place as a fan favorite, outshining not just older titles like the N64 original (which still holds a 99 critic score) but also contemporary releases such as Silent Hill 2 and Resident Evil Requiem. Whether the 9.6 will hold steady remains to be seen, but for now the numbers tell a clear story: nostalgia, polish, and a dash of modern convenience can still win hearts – even when a few detractors try to pull the rug out from under it.