The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Gets E10+ Rating, Confirming Changes From Original N64 Version

Nintendo’s highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake has received its official ESRB rating ahead of its planned 2026 release on Nintendo Switch 2. While Nintendo has shared very few details about the remake so far, the rating provides the first confirmed information about how the new version differs from the original Nintendo 64 release.

The remake has been rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older, with the ESRB citing “animated blood” and “fantasy violence” as the reasons for the updated classification. The original The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, released in 1998, carried an “E for Everyone” rating because the E10+ category did not exist at the time.

The rating update does not necessarily mean Nintendo has dramatically changed the game’s tone. However, it confirms that the remake will not have the same classification as the original version, creating new questions about possible visual changes and content adjustments.

Ocarina of Time Remake Rating Raises Questions About Blood and Censorship Changes

The E10+ rating is similar to the previous remake, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, which launched for Nintendo 3DS in 2011. That version also received an E10+ rating due to fantasy violence and animated blood.

One major discussion among fans involves the infamous blood changes made in later versions of the original game. In the Nintendo 64 release, several enemies displayed red blood, including Ganondorf during the final battle. Later releases changed the blood color to green, with many fans believing the adjustment was made to reduce the game’s mature elements.

The upcoming Switch 2 remake could reveal whether Nintendo keeps those later censorship choices or restores elements from the original version. With the remake expected to feature significantly upgraded visuals, some players had hoped Nintendo would deliver a darker and more mature interpretation of the classic adventure.

Another potential change involves content related to the Great Fairies and other scenes that previously carried a “suggestive themes” warning in the 3DS version. The new ESRB listing reportedly does not include that warning, suggesting Nintendo may have adjusted certain scenes, although no official confirmation has been provided.

Nintendo has yet to reveal extensive gameplay details or a specific launch date for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake. The title is currently expected to arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 sometime in 2026, with fans waiting for the company to share the first major look at the updated version of one of gaming’s most celebrated adventures.