The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake - all confirmed details after Nintendo reveal
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is officially on the way after Nintendo revealed stunning gameplay footage and a release date during a recent Direct presentation.
In this article, we’ll run through all the confirmed gameplay details for the Ocarina of Time remake, including the new features coming to the game and those returning from the original Nintendo 64 classic, which was released in 1998.
What’s more, there are also pre-order bonuses for the highly anticipated Zelda remake, as well as some awesome accessories that could help enhance your experience when adventuring through the Kingdom of Hyrule as Link.
When is the Ocarina of Time remake released?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will be released on November 5, 2026.
This is a bold decision by Nintendo, because it’s just two weeks away from the launch of GTA 6 on November 19. No other major AAA games have dared to release in November due to GTA 6, but Nintendo is showing no fear towards the Rockstar Games giant.
What platforms will the Ocarina of Time remake be released on?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is releasing exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 and will not be coming to the original Switch console.
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While this is bad news for OG Switch owners, if you watched the stunning gameplay video of the remake, it’s obvious to see that the old-boy Switch won’t be able to handle a remake of this magnitude.
Plus, it will no doubt prove to be an excellent Nintendo Switch 2 system seller. Obviously, with this being a Nintendo exclusive, we can safely (Hy)rule out a PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S release.
Ocarina of Time remake price and where to pre-order in the UK and US
Ocarina of Time remake trailer and gameplay: what we know so far
Aside from the stunning overhauled graphics shown in the Ocarina of Time remake, there are plenty of new features that will enhance the player experience from a gameplay perspective.
For starters, despite having an obvious graphical advantage over the Nintendo 64 original, or even the remaster that was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, the Ocarina of Time remake on the Nintendo Switch 2 will run significantly more smoothly than the original. So, expect a big frames-per-second increase across the board.
It will also have faster loading times due to the UFS internal storage of the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s not to the speed of an SSD, but it’s certainly faster than the original Switch as well as the N64, despite its cartridges at the time having faster loading times than the PlayStation and SEGA Saturn.
The controls have also been overhauled; in Nintendo’s own words, the Ocarina of Time remake controls will be 'snappier and more satisfying'. Link will be far more responsive, not only in combat, but also when exploring the Kingdom of Hyrule.
Two of the most significant quality-of-life improvements come with the free camera, something that neither the original nor the 2011 remaster had. This will make exploring the Kingdom of Hyrule far less restrictive. The Ocarina of Time remake also has a dedicated jump button. This may sound very minimal, but this basic feature was not included in the 1998 or 2011 releases. Instead, Link would automatically jump over obstacles when he approached them, which could get very frustrating when combined with the previously fixed camera.
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The audio of the Ocarina of Time remake has also been vastly improved. Not only does the environmental sound sound clearer and crisper, but the remake also features symphonic orchestral music, making the game more immersive than ever.
It’s worth adding that, sticking to tradition, Link is still a silent protagonist. However, Nintendo has confirmed that other characters featured in the cutscenes are now fully voiced by voice actors in the Ocarina of Time remake, as well as having expanded character dialogue. The ‘Threads of Time’ is a new feature in the Ocarina of Time remake, and it’s said to help Link guide himself through the game, as well as offering clues about quests and directions on where he should be headed. It’s hard to say just how much this new feature will impact the game until we play it, but it sounds like the remake is making Ocarina of Time more accessible for all players, while retaining the original's sense of adventure.
One of the best new features in the remake is being able to hum songs for Link to learn and perform on his Ocarina in-game. This is done by using the built-in microphone on the Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con and official Pro Controller. There’s also a really cool physical Ocarina accessory that you can purchase to complement your experience in the Ocarina of Time remake, but more on that later.
In terms of what’s returned from the original Ocarina of Time, it still has the same story: Link journeys through time as both Young Link and Adult Link. Princess Zelda returns, and the big bad villain, Ganondorf. It’s also packed with all the epic dungeon exploration, puzzle-solving, and boss battles that you know and love, or will love if you’re new to this beloved game.
Nintendo release a real Ocarina of Time
As we just mentioned, you can buy a physical Ocarina to hum your songs for Link to learn and perform in the Ocarina of Time remake. This works by having a built-in microphone, just like the controllers. Sure, it may do the same job as the controllers, but it’s so much more fun this way.
The Electric Ocarina of Time developed by HORI has an RRP of $49.99 in the US and £44.99 in the UK. It can be found on the US Nintendo Store, but not yet on the UK Nintendo Store.
The device corresponds with your actions and implements them in-game. It has two modes, ‘Free Play Mode’ and ‘Auto-Play Mode’, and can play 12 “in-game songs with the simple press of a button.” It also has a built-in volume control dial and a headphone jack, which also connects to an external speaker.
If that’s not quite enough Ocarina of Time goodness for you, then you’ll be pleased to know that, arriving in 2027, there will be two new amiibo figures for Young Link and Young Zelda. The amiibos will unlock exclusive in-game masks.
There will also be some pre-order bonuses in specific regions that you’ll be able to claim. First print copies in the UK can claim the Ocarina of Time foil edition, in which the sleeve has a special texture, available at most retailers. In Canada, the Ocarina of Time remake will come with a gold holographic slipcover styled on the original box design for the original game, exclusively at EB Games.
Topics: Nintendo, Nintendo Switch 2, The Legend Of Zelda