I Don’t Care What the Internet Says, I Love How Link Looks in the Ocarina of Time Remake

Stop the slander! The squishy, cute look for Young Link in the Ocarina Remake is perfection.

A young fantasy character with pointy ears and blue eyes, wearing a green tunic, looking up with a surprised expression against a dark, snowy background.
A young fantasy character with pointy ears and blue eyes, wearing a green tunic, looking up with a surprised expression against a dark, snowy background.

  • Primary Subject: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake
  • Key Update: An opinion feature defends the Ocarina of Time Remake’s new Young Link character model against online social media criticism, arguing the stylized, youthful design fits his narrative innocence.
  • Status: Confirmed / Opinion
  • Last Verified: September 9, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Releasing November 5, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2, the Ocarina of Time Remake retains its classic narrative while modernizing visuals and character art styles.

After patiently waiting for what felt like forever, we've finally been able to get an in-depth look at The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake.

During the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, a spotlight was placed on Ocarina of Time. We got our first major look at gameplay, a new trailer, and even a November release date.

But what did some fans decide to focus on instead? The new model of Link. People are clowning on him online, and I will not take any further slander, thank you very much!

Link in the Ocarina of Time Remake Looks Perfect

Not long after the Direct, I opened social media to see people absolutely ripping the new look of young Link to shreds. Some said he looked like Renesmee from Twilight, while others claimed he just looks stretched. And honestly? I can see it. The thing is - I absolutely love how Link looks, and I don't think it is a downgrade at all.

A young character holding an item, standing in a grassy field with a brown horse nearby, set against a backdrop of mountains and trees in a vibrant, animated style.
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Credit: Nintendo

Before he becomes the Hero of Time, Link is a 10-year-old boy waking up from a nightmare in Kokiri Forest. That cute, charming, slightly chibi aesthetic perfectly complements his pure-hearted innocence at the time. It reminds us just how young he is before the world forces him to become a hero.

READ MORE: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Console: Release Date, Price, and Accessories

I am so relieved that Nintendo didn't decide to take the "make everything realistic route." Not every major release needs to be hyper-realistic. They did a great job making the game look more modern while still staying faithful to Link's original N64 design. He doesn't look like a totally new character - he looks like a classic Nintendo character revamped for the era. As someone who played the previous games, I am so glad Nintendo didn't fall into the hole of forced realism.

Kokiri Sword: This small, child-sized sword is a treasure of Kokiri Forest.
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Credit: Nintendo

People can keep posting their memes on X and Reddit and dunk on his new look, but I wouldn't change a thing. Having young Link look adorable and bright makes the narrative shift to the ruined Hyrule hit so much harder. Also, he looks squishy - and who doesn't love that?!

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