Aonuma Says the Ocarina Remake Finally Has the Best Water Temple Ever

After nearly three decades, the most infamous dungeon in Zelda history may finally be at peace. Series producer Eiji Aonuma says the Water Temple in the new Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 is "the best version" of the dungeon, according to his interview with Game Informer (GamesRadar+).

When he was asked whether he's finally happy with the Water Temple, Aonuma simply answered, "certainly." That's a big deal. This is now the third version of Ocarina of Time, after the N64 original and the 3DS remake.

Why was the original Water Temple so hard?

Aonuma admitted that the 1998 Water Temple "was hard," but he said a lot of that frustration came from the "system that we were presenting to players." The dungeon asks you to keep putting on and taking off the Iron Boots so Link can sink or float, and on the N64 that meant opening the menu every single time.

The camera made things worse. Aonuma explained that players couldn't move the camera angle in the original, so it was much more difficult to figure out where a room might be in a big 3D space.

What changed in the Switch 2 Water Temple?

Two big things. First, the Iron Boots can now be mapped to a single button, which builds on what the 3DS version did. "It's a better experience because they can focus on solving the puzzle," Aonuma said. No more pausing every few seconds just to change your shoes.

Second, the remake has a camera you can actually move. That helps a lot underwater and in tight spaces. Put those together, and Aonuma said, "I think this, for me, is the best version of the Water Temple."

Will Nintendo remake more Zelda games?

It sounds possible. GamesRadar+ notes that a Nintendo executive recently teased more remakes alongside brand new games. Breath of the Wild director Hidemaro Fujibayashi has also said future Zelda games need fresh ideas, so don't expect Nintendo to only look backward.

The remake has already been a huge hit with critics, and our Ocarina of Time remake reviews roundup has the details.

My read is that Aonuma is right, even if the Water Temple will always have a reputation. The puzzle design was never the real problem. It was the constant menu trips and that stubborn camera. Fixing both lets the dungeon's clever layout finally shine, and that's exactly what a remake should do. (Dark Link is still allowed to be scary, though.)

Have you beaten the new Water Temple yet? Tell us in the comments.

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