The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time the remake, due for Switch 2 later this year, already has a great fix for the game's biggest headache-inducing level: the Water Temple. As the most famous dungeon in Ocarina of Timethis level still has an intimidating reputation for its confusing layout and slow pace due to the need to constantly bounce back and forth from the menu. It ends up getting in the way of what had the potential to be the best area in the game, but the good news is that Ocarina of TimeThe remake will not face the same problem.
It's not the first time Nintendo has created one Ocarina of Time remake. Ocarina of Time 3D came to the Nintendo 3DS back in 2011, and one of the best features this remake boasts is that it fixes the water temple issue that plagued the original version for so many years. There will be a lot of pressure on the Switch 2 remake to honor the original game as much as possible, but for use Ocarina of Time 3DThe Water Temple as a template for this iteration is the right move.
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Ocarina of Time 3D makes key changes to the Water Temple that are simple but make a difference
One of the biggest problems with the original Ocarina of Time The Water Temple level was that the reliance on Iron Boots required players to constantly go in and out of the menu to equip and equip them. Ocarina of Time 3D gives Iron Boots a dedicated button which solves the problem completely. Making changes to Ocarina of Time is certainly controversial, but the 3DS remake is a solid example of how tweaks to the original formula can actually make way for something even better.
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However, the Iron Boots aren't the only thing that made exploring the water temple so painful. Unlike other dungeons found in the game, the Water Temple is more of a puzzle box instead of a linear level. This approach to design can make for deeply confusing navigation and has even caused a lot of players (cough, cough, me) to overlook important items. Ocarina of TimeThe 3DS version made some much needed improvements to the overall design by adding colored markers throughout the water temple to make it easier to tell where Link is in the dungeon.
Camera-focused hints also help point players towards lost items, which is another huge plus. The original version Ocarina of Time on the N64 is a timeless classic, but Water Temple is a perfect example of how far level design and mechanics have come in the following decades. First time players Ocarina of Time thanks to the Nintendo 3DS remake instead of the N64 version, they're bound to find the original level design incredibly distracting and frustrating.
Even though Ocarina of Time's water temple has been fixed, the Switch 2 version has the opportunity to be even better
There was a lot of time between the original Ocarina of Time and the 3DS remake, and even more time has passed between the 3DS remake and the upcoming Switch 2 version. The game design has evolved drastically since the first release of these two titles, leaving plenty of room for improvement Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 for even more game-changing improvements. It's hard to say exactly what the changes might be, but it wouldn't be surprising to see more tweaks made to the Water Temple.
Ocarina of TimeThe 3DS version made some much needed improvements to the overall design by adding colored markers throughout the water temple to make it easier to tell where Link is in the dungeon.
Of course, it's a delicate balancing act when it comes to executing a The Legend of Zelda remake justice. On the one hand, it would be great to make it a stronger level, but there's also the problem of too many changes making it not feel like the Water Temple at all. The 3DS version of the Water Temple was so much better that simple tweaks helped highlight the amazingly fun qualities of the dungeon that were so challenging. The N64 game was too challenging due to some simple design oversights, but Ocarina of Time 3D they found the perfect balance that made the dungeon challenging and satisfying.
Too many changes risk making the Switch 2 version simpler than it should be. The Legend of Zelda the games have taken many shapes and forms over the years, but each has presented its own unique challenges and harrowing moments. While the first iteration of the water temple can be overwhelming, the dungeon is an integral part Ocarina of Time's DNA, so the Switch 2 version needs to handle it with great care.
The Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 is probably just the tip of the iceberg with the new Legend of Zelda projects
There were many questions about the future The Legend of Zelda franchise looks. An Ocarina of Time a remake has been rumored for a long time and fans are already speculating that more remakes are on the way. AND The Major's Mask a remake seems like an obvious move from Nintendo, but only time will tell. Princess Twilight could be another possibility for a major remake, but there's more to Nintendo's apparent obsession with remakes.
Nintendo has yet to announce an official release date Ocarina of TimeSwitch 2 Remake. GTA 6The November release date has turned the latter part of the year into a wasteland, so it will be interesting to see if Nintendo decides to launch the much-anticipated remake in Rockstar's splash zone.
One of the most exciting releases the franchise has planned for the future is Nintendo The Legend of Zelda film. It's hard to imagine the series becoming a live-action story, but that makes the project that much more interesting. Between a potential new remake, rumors of another open-world game in the works, and a movie opening in April 2027, The Legend of Zelda the franchise could have a lot of interesting things in store Ocarina of Time coming to Switch 2.
- Released
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2026
- Developers
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Nintendo
- Publishers
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Nintendo
- Number of players
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For one player
