The ‘Ocarina of Time’ Remake Is Finally Here, but Why Does Link Look so Yassified?
The upcoming Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for the Switch 2 has sparked debate over its updated character designs, specifically the 'yassified' appearance of child Link. While fans criticize the aesthetic shift, the changes reflect modern AAA gaming standards for high-fidelity character models.
Why it matters
It illustrates the tension between preserving nostalgic visual styles and meeting contemporary expectations for high-definition graphics in major game remakes.
A fully redone version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time arrives Thursday exclusively on the Switch 2. Nintendo has been releasing trailers and screenshots in the run-up to the launch, and the imagery, while whetting appetites, has also left fans with an overwhelming question: Why does Link look like that?
Specifically, child Link. Ocarina of Time allows players to time-hop and explore levels as child and adult versions of the game’s main protagonist. Gameplay starts as child Link in the Kokiri Forest, which looks more lush and verdant than ever in the remake. But aesthetic upgrades have also been applied to child Link, resulting in a curled-eyelash, laminated-eyebrow, douyin-lipstick yassified elf boy.
Fans have been quick to compare the design to the human-vampire hybrid Renesmee from Twilight and the Gerber Baby. “He looks so microwaveable,” one Reddit user wrote.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
10 Nintendo Switch 2 features, from magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers to GameChat
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time never gets old
Zelda: Ocarina of Time "docked versus handheld" graphics and framerate comparison
The Switch 2 Zelda: Ocarina of Time Is a Brilliant Remake
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to give Switch 2 sales a holiday boost
Review: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is superb, streamlined and safe
Our Big Interview With Ocarina of Time Producers Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi
Our Big Interview With Ocarina of Time Producers Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi
Monolith Soft details its involvement with Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake
The Ocarina is Key in Latest Zelda: Ocarina of Time Trailer
‘The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time’ Remake Metacritic Review Score Is Historic
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in