Nintendo has quietly confirmed a small but notable change for the upcoming "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" remake, spotted through an updated official rating website and its store page.
While the shift itself might seem minor, it's already sparked plenty of discussion among longtime fans about what else the remake might adjust from the original.
'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' Remake Rating
In the past week, Nintendo updated the official eShop listing for the "Ocarina of Time" remake with a new ESRB rating of E10+, citing "Animated Blood" and "Fantasy Violence" as the reasons behind the classification.
That rating matches the one given to "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D" on Nintendo 3DS, which also carried an E10+ rating for those same two descriptors.
The original N64 release back in 1998 was simply rated E for Everyone, though that comparison isn't entirely apples to apples, since the E10+ rating itself didn't exist until 2005, years after the game's original launch.
What stands out is what's missing this time around. The 3DS remaster's rating also included a "Suggestive Themes" descriptor, but that label is notably absent from the Switch 2 remake's listing.
Nintendo's Remake: Will Green Blood Return in Remake?
Since "Animated Blood" is listed as a reason for the E10+ rating, that strongly suggests the remake is bringing back the same green blood effects seen in the Ganon fight from the 3DS remaster.
The original N64 version actually launched with red blood during that same battle before Nintendo altered it to green starting with version 1.1, a change made in response to concerns at the time.
The bigger mystery lies in what the missing "Suggestive Themes" label might mean. That descriptor in the 3DS version was tied specifically to characters like the Great Fairies, who were depicted from low camera angles in outfits showing noticeable cleavage.
With that classifier absent from the remake's current rating, some fans have speculated Nintendo could be redesigning those characters or adjusting how certain scenes are framed, though nothing has been confirmed and the theory remains speculation for now.
What to Expect From 'Ocarina of Time's' Remake
"The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time" originally launched on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential and highest-rated video games ever made.
The story follows Link, a young boy from Kokiri Forest who discovers he's destined to become the Hero of Time, tasked with stopping the tyrannical Ganondorf from seizing the Triforce and plunging Hyrule into darkness.
Traveling between his childhood and an adult future using the power of the Master Sword and the titular "ocarina," Link collects sacred stones, awakens ancient sages, and confronts Ganondorf across two distinct timelines within the same adventure.
The game is credited with pioneering several mechanics still used in 3D action-adventure titles today, including Z-Targeting, alongside its memorable soundtrack and deeply layered narrative. With the remake confirmed for a Switch 2 exclusive release sometime in 2026, this ESRB update marks one of the clearest signs yet that an official trailer and full reveal could be arriving soon.
