Published Aug 10, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT
Paul Farrelly is a Contributing Writer for Screen Rant’s Gaming section and the founder of GeekGasm.org, a site dedicated to celebrating all things gaming, from triple A blockbusters to weird and wonderful indie hits. Based in Louth, Ireland, Paul has spent years writing about games, pop culture, and tech, turning his lifelong love of gaming into a career that lets him talk (probably too much) about what makes this industry so endlessly fascinating.
He’s previously written and collaborated with several entertainment outlets, including LADbible, gaining a wide perspective on how gaming fits into today’s pop culture conversation. His work blends genuine enthusiasm with thoughtful analysis, exploring how design, storytelling, and community have made gaming one of the most creative mediums around.
When he’s not glued to a controller or keyboard, Paul’s usually spinning vinyl, plotting his next horror marathon, or debating which Resident Evil entry really reigns supreme.
Let's not beat around the bush. For most Nintendo fans, the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TIme remake is even more highly anticipated than Grand Theft Auto 6. The original classic hero's journey adventure was first released way back in 1998 and still stands tall as one of the best adventure games of all time. Details on the remake are slowly trickling in, and the new age rating might spell concerns for content purists.
The official ESRB age rating is now visible on Nintendo's website for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TIme remake and at first glance, it all looks well. Predictably, it has a rating of E 10+, which is the same rating the original had. The difference, though, is in the fine print. The most recent version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was released on the 3DS in 2011. The age rating was the same, but the description has changed between the two releases. The 3DS rating listed the games as having the following:
Rating: E10+Content Descriptors: Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, and Suggestive Themes.
Reasoning: The game involves sword-based fantasy combat against monsters and bosses, mild animated blood effects, and characters with modest or stylized fantasy designs.
Could The Ocarina Of Time Remake Censor The Great Fairies?
Where the new remake differs is in the wording. The "Suggestive Themes" have been removed from the latest ESRB rating, which indicates clearly that some creative censorship can be expected in the remake. The most obvious tweak that the new rating suggests would be to the fairies. Those expecting to see scantily clad great fairies making suggestive moans as they float above their fountains might be in for a big disappointment. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TIme remake is going to be family-friendly above all else.
While changes like this won't affect the gameplay or even the overall enjoyment of the game, there is a point to be made that the remake should stick as close to the original as possible. Gamers wanting a revived version of their beloved classic on modern hardware will have to settle for a few creative tweaks, which isn't a bad thing really. These small changes aren't roadblocks to player enjoyment and if it opens up the game to even more players, then it's all the better for it.
The Zelda Remake Is Still On Track For This Year
Whether you're comfortable with artistic changes or not, at least the game is still on track to launch this year. With the expected release date for Ocarina of Time remake fast approaching, it's time to get excited about what's to come. And although gamers don't want to see too many changes to the original, a few creative tweaks might make the game even better than before. I, for one, would be all for a replay option for boss battles or a save anywhere option that doesn't randomly drop Link to a new location when you reload your save.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was one of only a handful of the games on the N64 that have aged well. A remake is well deserved, and hopefully it strikes the balance between modernizing controls and visuals without losing the core magic of what we all loved about the original. Games like Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced are perfect examples of how to do a remake really well. Hopefully, we get a Nintendo Direct very soon and get to see The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake in all its glory.
Released 2026
Developer(s) Nintendo
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Number of Players Single-player
English (US) ·