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| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake official promotional art. |
Nintendo confirms release date for the fully rebuilt classic during Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct
Nintendo has officially set November 5, 2026 as the release date for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement came during the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, positioning the remake as the centerpiece of the series' milestone celebrations. According to Nintendo, this is the classic adventure completely rebuilt for the console—and early details suggest it's much more than a simple remaster.
Performance Finally Does Justice to the Classic
The 1998 Nintendo 64 original famously ran at roughly 20 frames per second. Digital Foundry measured the Switch 2 remake at 1080p and 60 frames per second in September footage, noting that it doesn't appear to utilize Nvidia DLSS upscaling. Nintendo hasn't confirmed docked resolution yet, but the handheld performance alone represents a massive leap forward for one of gaming's most beloved titles.
Modern Controls Transform the Experience
Link now has a dedicated jump button instead of automatically leaping at ledges—a change that fundamentally alters how players will navigate Hyrule. The camera and movement controls have been completely reworked, and tools like slingshots and bows can now be aimed using motion controls. These quality-of-life improvements should make the game far more accessible to newcomers while still appealing to veterans.
A More Living, Breathable Hyrule
Hyrule Castle Town no longer uses a fixed camera and can be explored freely in 3D—a significant departure from the original's constrained perspective. Time also flows throughout the game now, meaning night can fall while Link is in town. Interestingly, Nintendo has kept loading screens between certain areas, with producer Eiji Aonuma stating this preserves the feel of the original.
Voice Acting Comes to Ocarina of Time
In perhaps the most controversial change, major cutscenes are now fully voiced. Characters including Zelda, Saria, Darunia, Ruto, and Ganondorf all speak—though Link remains silent, staying true to series tradition. Nintendo hasn't announced the voice cast yet, but fans are already speculating about who will bring these iconic characters to life.
New Content and Features
An overview trailer on October 14 revealed the Hall of Fallen Foes, a museum-style room featuring statues of defeated enemies. Examining a statue displays a description and where to find that foe, while bosses can be fought again with the game tracking your best completion time. The Switch 2 microphone allows players to hum or play Ocarina melodies, and Nintendo will sell a physical Ocarina for the truly dedicated. The Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch app adds play data, a virtual Ocarina, and a daily quiz featuring more than 2,000 questions.
Pricing and Availability
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time costs $59.99 digitally and $69.99 physically. Nintendo's store lists an estimated 27 GB download, which may change before launch. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition console arrives a week earlier on October 29 for $519.99, featuring a black and gold dock with the Triforce symbol and green and gold Joy-Con 2 controllers. Note that the game is sold separately from the special edition console.