The ‘Ocarina of Time’ Remake Is Finally Here, but Why Does Link Look so Yassified?
Nintendo has prepped its classic game for a rerelease with a slew of aesthetic upgrades—none more extreme than the protagonist’s curled-eyelash, glossed-lip glow-up.
The revamped version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is set for release on the Switch 2 platform on Thursday. Nintendo has teased the game with trailers and screenshots, sparking curiosity and debate amongst fans about the appearance of child Link. In the original game, Link was stylized with simple polygonal shapes and textures due to the limited storage capacity of N64 cartridges.
The remake, however, leverages the Switch 2's increased storage capacity and memory bus speed to introduce intricate details to Link and other characters that were previously impossible. This has led to a noticeable redesign of Link, particularly his appearance as a child. Critics have compared the refreshed Link to Twilight's Renesmee and the Gerber Baby, calling his new look "yassified" and even "microwaveable."
The changes in Link's design become particularly apparent when contrasted with the background nonplayer characters, who have retained their more simplistic original designs. While the remake's enhanced visuals and technology are undeniable, it has also reignited discussions about the evolution of Link's appearance over the past four decades.
The design choices in the remake appear to represent a significant departure from the original, leading to questions about continuity and the essence of the character.
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