Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Prime Day PS5 deals
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Deal of the Day
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • RPG Hub
Want more Switch 2 news?

Sign up to our Switch 2 newsletter to make sure you get the very latest news on Nintendo's new console and its games every week


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Action Games
  3. The Legend of Zelda
  4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Young Link has a face only a mother could love in Zelda Ocarina of Time remake, and even the series' most dedicated fans are struggling: "They did him dirty"

News
By Anthony McGlynn
Published 9 September 2026

The franchise hero has had more crowd-pleasing designs

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Young Link stands in the rain, looking shocked in a screenshot from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Oh Link, you've met with a terrible fate. You might not be a Deku Scrub, but you are absolutely lost in the uncanny valley thanks to Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.

Link's younger self stands out among all the other re-modeled characters for many of the wrong reasons. His chubby, babyface cheeks and big round eyes contribute to the feeling that we're looking at someone just slightly too inhuman for their own good.

In reaction to Nintendo showcasing the remake, people have been quick to gawk at the choices made regarding our protagonist. One popular tweet compares a picture of Hyrule's hero and that cursed hellspawn Renesmee animatronic baby from the Twilight film franchise.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

Alguien me puede explicar por qué el Link niño tiene toda la cara del bebé animatrónico de Renesmee de crepúsculo?? 😭 pic.twitter.com/mLPYyRxNRoSeptember 8, 2026

I'm sorry to say, but there's a clear resemblance. It's in the eyes and how the air gets a little colder whenever you're looking into them. One of many photoshops doing the rounds hammers this home.

Speaking of hammers, another post makes it clear violence would've been employed in another time for the intrepid adventurer. "Me and my friends would have killed Young Link with hammers I can tell you that much," says a post, and going by the numbers, I think a few would've joined them.

You may like
  • Ocarina of time remake Nintendo says Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake isn't aiming "for realistic graphics"
  • Adult link holding the Master Sword in Ocarina of Time Remake Nintendo veteran suggests Ocarina of Time remake's art was influenced by Miyamoto's love of puppets
  • Ocarina of time remake One huge change in the Ocarina of Time remake: full voice-acted cutscenes for everyone, except Link

In a crossover within the same franchise, one Twitter user points out Link's resemblance to Malo, the infant-looking Ordonian from Twilight Princess. A reminder Nintendo has form for this, however cursed.

NO IT JUST FUCKING HIT ME pic.twitter.com/NPiNDcBTI8September 8, 2026

"They did him dirty," one fan proclaims, and, well, yeah.

Want more Switch 2 news?

Sign up to our Switch 2 Spotlight newsletter to make sure you get the very latest news on Nintendo's new console and its games every week

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

One huge change in the Ocarina of Time remake: full voice-acted cutscenes for everyone, except Link of course.

TOPICS
Nintendo Direct
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch 2 Platforms Nintendo
Anthony McGlynn
Anthony McGlynn
Social Links Navigation
Contributing Writer

Anthony is an Irish entertainment and games journalist, now based in Glasgow. He previously served as Senior Anime Writer at Dexerto and News Editor at The Digital Fix, on top of providing work for Variety, IGN, Den of Geek, PC Gamer, and many more. Besides Studio Ghibli, horror movies, and The Muppets, he enjoys action-RPGs, heavy metal, and pro-wrestling. He interviewed Animal once, not that he won’t stop going on about it or anything.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Ocarina of time remake
The Legend of Zelda Nintendo says Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake isn't aiming "for realistic graphics"
 
 
Adult link holding the Master Sword in Ocarina of Time Remake
The Legend of Zelda Nintendo veteran suggests Ocarina of Time remake's art was influenced by Miyamoto's love of puppets
 
 
Ocarina of time remake
The Legend of Zelda One huge change in the Ocarina of Time remake: full voice-acted cutscenes for everyone, except Link
 
 
Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo from Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time remake, against a dark background
Toys & Collectibles New amiibo for Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time are amazing, but what they unlock is weirding me out
 
 
Image of the Ocarina of Time Remake amiibo on a pink GamesRadar+ background.
Toys & Collectibles Ocarina of Time Remake amiibo are up for pre-order, and I'm obsessed that Young Link pays homage to classic Zelda artwork
 
 
Ocarina of time remake
The Legend of Zelda Nintendo has updated the Zelda timeline, and the Ocarina of Time remake has made it more complicated
 
 
Latest in The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake screenshot of Link on horseback
The Legend of Zelda A dying man's quest to finish the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake
 
 
Tears of the Kingdom villain Ganondorf looks over his shoulder menacingly
The Legend of Zelda Ubisoft was reportedly working on a new Legend of Zelda game starring Ganondorf, only for Nintendo to shoot it down
 
 
Young Link stands in the rain, looking shocked in a screenshot from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
The Legend of Zelda Ex-Nintendo marketing lead says "thank god" the Zelda Ocarina of Time remake is dodging GTA 6
 
 
Image of the Ocarina of Time pin sitting next to an Ocarina of Time replica.
Toys & Collectibles I've already got the Nintendo's Ocarina of Time Remake bundled pin badge, and here's what to expect when it arrives
 
 
Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda Legendary Zelda and Star Fox artist is "genuinely amazed" by AI even as he catches backlash from Nintendo fans
 
 
Ocarina of time remake
The Legend of Zelda Nintendo has updated the Zelda timeline, and the Ocarina of Time remake has made it more complicated
 
 
Latest in News
Ultima Online
RPGs A new Ultima RPG is on the table now that the series' creator is getting back the rights from EA
 
 
Silent Hills
Silent Hill Hideo Kojima shares native PC port of P.T., leaving the modder who made it "speechless"
 
 
Arc Raiders player in skull helmet with blue lens eyes
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders lead says Steam player count discourse doesn't feel great, but Embark "accepted" it
 
 
Lara Croft in a screenshot from Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.
Tomb Raider Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis devs are cutting back on modern hand holding
 
 
Old School RuneScape dev Mod Kieren in yellow shirt on RuneFest stage
MMO Games After accidentally killing players and deleting billions, Old School RuneScape devs rush out a fix
 
 
Arc Raiders player in helmet with gas mask
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders lead encourages players to "take a break and play some other games" if out of content
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. An Ultima Online 2 revival suddenly feels a little less like hopium
    1
    A new Ultima RPG is on the table now that the series' creator is getting back the rights from EA
  2. 2
    Carrie stars Matthew Lillard and Amber Midthunder say the fate of their characters makes sense
  3. 3
    Hideo Kojima shares native PC port of P.T., leaving the modder who made it "speechless"
  4. 4
    Arc Raiders lead says Steam player count discourse doesn't feel great, but Embark "accepted" it
  5. 5
    Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis devs are cutting back on modern hand holding

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...