Ocarina of Time remake's Water Temple 'best' version, Aonuma says
GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed
Eiji Aonuma told Game Informer that the Water Temple in the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is now the best version, Insider Gaming reported on November 7, 2026. He credited a one-button Iron Boots mechanic and improved camera control with making navigation in the Water Temple easier. Insider Gaming noted this remake follows an earlier upgraded release on the Nintendo 3DS and that the original Nintendo 64 game lacked a movable camera, which made spatial orientation harder. Aonuma framed the assessment as his opinion about the Switch 2 version rather than an objective measurement.
- What happened: Insider Gaming reported on November 7, 2026 that Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma told Game Informer he believes the Switch 2 remake’s Water Temple is the best version, citing a single-button Iron Boots feature and improved camera control.
- Why it matters: Aonuma said those two changes—the one-button heavy boots and freer camera—addressed navigation and orientation difficulties that players faced in the original Nintendo 64 Water Temple.
- Context: The Insider Gaming report notes Nintendo previously released an upgraded Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 3DS and that the original N64 edition did not allow camera movement, which made finding rooms in 3D space more difficult.
- What next: The Insider Gaming article does not report any further design changes, release dates, or additional plans beyond Aonuma’s comments, so no subsequent updates are confirmed in that report.
What changed
- According to Insider Gaming, Eiji Aonuma told Game Informer that the Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time includes a one-button ability to toggle the heavy Iron Boots and improved camera control, and he feels those changes make the Water Temple the best version.
Before and after
- The report contrasts the Switch 2 remake with the original Nintendo 64 version, which could not move the camera and therefore made orienting oneself in the Water Temple’s 3D spaces more difficult.
- Insider Gaming also notes Nintendo previously released an upgraded Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 3DS.
Availability
- The change is described specifically for the Switch 2 remake; the Insider Gaming article reporting Aonuma’s comments was published on November 7, 2026.
Limits
- The assessment is presented as Aonuma’s view as reported by Insider Gaming and Game Informer; the article does not provide external measurements, wider player feedback, or further developer plans.