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Nintendo is bringing one of gaming’s most celebrated adventures back to life.
Some games age. Others become legends. Nearly three decades after its original Nintendo 64 debut, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting a fresh start. A complete remake launches on November 5, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, with upgraded visuals, modernized gameplay, better audio, and many more improvements.
First released in 1998, Ocarina of Time was the franchise’s first fully 3D game, and it redefined how good a console adventure game could be. Now, Nintendo is rebuilding that experience for a new generation, while keeping the original’s identity intact.
Nintendo officially announced the remake in June 2026, and confirmed its November 5 release date during the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on September 8. It’s a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive and will not release on the original Switch.
Your quest through the vast kingdom of Hyrule begins when The Legend of #Zelda: #OcarinaOfTime comes exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2 on Nov 5.
Pre-order now: https://t.co/FNWvsJDFej pic.twitter.com/peIRfkTMJh
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 14, 2026
Old adventure with modern upgrades
The story follows Link, a young boy from Kokiri Forest who sets out to stop Ganondorf from claiming the Triforce. After pulling the Master Sword, Link awakens seven years into the future as an adult. Players can travel between childhood and adulthood, with the two timelines forming the adventure’s foundation.
Series producer Eiji Aonuma has described the project as a ‘Largely Faithful Remake.’ While the original story and core gameplay remain intact, Nintendo has rebuilt the presentation and introduced several changes to bring the experience up to date.
What’s changed in the remake?
Nintendo detailed the remake’s biggest changes in its four-part Ask the Developer interview series, published ahead of launch.
The most noticeable upgrade is the visual overhaul, with completely rebuilt graphics designed for Switch 2. Gameplay has also received several adjustments. Link now has a dedicated jump button, can sprint, and can aim his slingshot using motion controls. Players can also freely control the camera with the second control stick.
Audio has received a substantial upgrade. Cutscenes are now fully voiced, although Link remains silent, while the soundtrack features more than 150 tracks, many with orchestral arrangements.
The ocarina itself has new functionality. Alongside traditional button inputs, players can hum melodies or play a real ocarina through the Switch 2 microphone.
Nintendo has also introduced Threads of Time, an illustrated tapestry that gradually unlocks as players progress through the story. A new quest log tracks objectives, showing players where to go and when they can complete certain tasks.
The Water Temple, one of the original game’s most infamous dungeons, has received some welcome adjustments. Item switching is simpler, and certain walls have been replaced with lattices, allowing players to see into nearby rooms. Aonuma, who designed the original dungeon, described these improvements as overdue homework.
Interestingly, the team also considered fast travel during development. Aonuma initially requested the addition of fast-travel points but later abandoned the idea, believing they disrupted important moments in the adventure.
Development and art direction
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3 led development, with HokWai Ng serving as director for the first time. Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi are producing the project.
Aonuma has linked the remake to the franchise’s 40th anniversary, explaining that he also wanted developers who had only worked on recent Zelda titles to understand Ocarina of Time’s significance to the series.
The remake’s puppet-like character designs have divided fans, but art director Aya Shida explained that the team wasn’t aiming for complete realism when developing the new visual direction.
Early reviews
Reviews went live on November 4, and the remake has already earned impressive scores. It currently holds a 96 on Metacritic and 95 on OpenCritic, while the original Nintendo 64 release maintains a 99 on Metacritic.
Price and editions
Ocarina of Time launches November 5 in the United States at the following prices:
- Digital edition: $59.99
- Physical edition: $69.99
The physical edition features a limited-time textured foil cover. Nintendo is also selling a compatible playable ocarina separately, which works with the game’s microphone functionality.
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 console launched on October 29, although it does not include the remake.
For players wondering how long the adventure will take, the original game typically requires around 25 to 30 hours to complete, according to How Long to Beat.
