Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake’s Best Part Is Its Soundtrack

The most exciting aspect of the new Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2 might be what you hear, rather than what you see. A recent hands-on review from Mashable emphasizes that players should shift their focus from the visuals because the soundtrack is the real highlight.

A Remake, Not Just a Fresh Coat of Paint

The original Ocarina of Time debuted in 1998 on the Nintendo 64. It played a crucial role in shaping how 3D games function: how you navigate a 3D space, explore, and experience an open world. A remake, which means building a game from the ground up, is a much bigger task than a remaster, which simply cleans up the original.

According to The Verge’s preview, Nintendo seems to have captured what made the original so special: its timelessness. They describe the 1998 classic as reengineered for the Switch 2, resulting in a game that feels impressively modern and, at times, surprisingly eerie.

Why the Soundtrack Is Getting the Spotlight

Think of a game’s music like a film score. You might not notice it in the moment, but if it’s missing, the whole experience falls flat. In Ocarina of Time, music is integral to gameplay. Link uses an ocarina, a small wind instrument, to trigger events and navigate the world. Those melodies aren’t just background noise; they’re essential tools.

This is why Mashable’s perspective makes sense. While visual upgrades grab attention, the music is what many fans fondly remember from 1998. A remake that nails the audio could resonate more with nostalgic players than any new lighting or textures could.

It Reportedly Plays Better, Too

The improvements don’t stop at the music. Engadget’s preview claims the remake plays even better than it appears. Link is getting more than just a visual upgrade on the Switch 2. Engadget doesn’t list every change, so it’s worth checking out their complete hands-on for the full gameplay tweaks.

A Mashable writer, who considers the original their favorite game, played the remake for about an hour. They came away understanding why Nintendo chose such a detailed approach.

What This Means

If you grew up with the N64 original, this signals that Nintendo is treating the remake as a complete rebuild, not just a quick re-release. The previews suggest a game that honors the original’s feel, not just its appearance.

If you haven’t played it before, a remake is the easiest entry point. You won’t need an old console, and the game’s most iconic elements should be easier to appreciate on modern hardware. Don’t forget to focus on the audio. Good headphones or a decent speaker setup can make a big difference here.

One thing to keep in mind: these are previews, not full reviews. A one-hour session provides first impressions, but it doesn’t reveal how the entire adventure holds up from beginning to end.

What To Watch

• Full reviews: Hands-on previews focus on the early hours. Final reviews will determine if the game maintains its strength through later dungeons and story arcs.
• Release details: Keep an eye on Nintendo’s official channels for the launch date and pricing, as preview summaries don’t confirm either.
• More audio details: Expect additional coverage on how the music and sound design were crafted, especially given the attention the soundtrack is receiving.
• Switch 2 performance: Watch for hands-on testing of frame rates and resolution to see how well the remake utilizes the new hardware.