Nintendo is bringing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time back with a remake for Nintendo Switch 2. The game will launch on November 5, 2026. The announcement also includes a special Nintendo Switch 2 edition celebrating The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary.
Ocarina of Time Gets a Modern Reimagining
Nintendo producer Eiji Aonuma has shown an extended gameplay demonstration of the remake, highlighting how the classic Nintendo 64 adventure has been rebuilt with modern technology while retaining its original identity.
The visuals have been completely redone, with a style designed to feel modern while preserving a sense of nostalgia. Link's appearance, clothing, equipment, environments, and textures have all been reworked.
The remake also introduces several gameplay changes and quality-of-life improvements:
- Free camera: Players can freely rotate the camera to look around the environment.
- Manual jumping: Link can now jump by pressing a button instead of automatically jumping near ledges.
- Faster swimming: Link can swim faster and dive underwater to explore.
- New dialogue: Characters have additional dialogue to give their personalities more depth.
- Snappier combat: Faster processing allows actions to feel more responsive.
- Improved item controls: Items can be switched with a single button, while the slingshot can be aimed using motion controls.
- Threads of Time: A new feature tracks story progress and the player's next objective through a growing tapestry.
- Dashing: Holding the A button allows Link to roll and transition into a faster dash for longer journeys.
- Dynamic time: Time now continues to pass while exploring towns, unlike in the original game.
Dungeons, Hyrule and the Ocarina
The gameplay demonstration begins in Kokiri Forest and takes Link into the Great Deku Tree, showcasing the remake's updated dungeon design, combat, targeting system, Navi's guidance, and item-based exploration.
The demonstration also shows Hyrule Field and Hyrule Castle Town. Towns have received additional environmental details, new dialogue, and activities such as minigames, while the free camera allows players to explore them from different angles.
The iconic ocarina remains central to the adventure. Playing certain songs can trigger different effects, including changing the time of day. Nintendo has also added a Nintendo Switch 2-specific feature that allows the game to respond to a real ocarina accessory.
Fully Voiced Cutscenes and Updated Audio
Nintendo has also confirmed that characters will be fully voiced during in-game cutscenes. The remake's sound has been refreshed as part of the broader modernization of the original adventure.
The title screen theme shown during the presentation will also be added to Nintendo Music after the Nintendo Direct.
Release Date
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time arrives on November 5, 2026. Nintendo is also preparing a special Switch 2 edition for the franchise's 40th anniversary.