Nintendo has confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will receive a full remake for the Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement came during the Nintendo Direct presentation on Tuesday. The game is set to launch sometime in 2026, with Nintendo promising more details “in the future.”
A Legend Gets a Second Life
Initially released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, Ocarina of Time is often hailed as one of the greatest video games ever. It brought 3D exploration to the Zelda series and created a template that action-adventure games still follow today. You might say it’s the Star Wars of gaming—a groundbreaking release that transformed the medium.
This remake is the first major Zelda title since 2024’s Echoes of Wisdom, which made headlines by featuring Princess Zelda as the playable character instead of Link. Now, Nintendo seems to be revisiting its roots, giving this iconic chapter a modern visual and technical upgrade.
Nintendo hasn’t shared any screenshots, gameplay clips, or a detailed release window beyond “2026.” Their brief announcement fits the pattern of how they typically tease major remakes before revealing more closer to the launch date.
Why This Matters for Switch 2 Owners
The Switch 2 launched earlier this year, boasting significant hardware improvements over the original, like enhanced processing power and better display technology. A remake of Ocarina of Time is the perfect title to showcase what the new console can achieve. It appeals to a wide range of players: longtime fans, younger gamers who haven’t experienced it, and everyone in between.
Remakes—updated versions of older games with modern graphics and sometimes revised gameplay—have become a solid strategy in the gaming world. Nintendo previously used this approach with The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening in 2019, which featured a delightful toy-box art style. Now, the question is how far Nintendo will go with Ocarina of Time: will it be a simple visual upgrade, a complete rebuild, or something in between?
What Else Was Announced at the Direct?
The Nintendo Direct that featured this announcement had other surprises too. Kingdom Hearts 4 made an appearance, which thrilled fans of Square Enix’s unique Disney-meets-anime RPG series. Nintendo also unveiled its next sports game bundle for the Switch 2, including thumb wrestling as one of its mini-sports, continuing the trend of turning physical gestures into gameplay with the Switch’s Joy-Con controllers.
| By The Numbers: Ocarina of Time | |
|---|---|
| Original release year | 1998 (Nintendo 64) |
| Metacritic score (original) | 99/100 — highest-rated game in Metacritic history |
| Previous remake | 3DS version released in 2011 |
| Last major Zelda release | Echoes of Wisdom (2024) |
| Target platform | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Expected launch | Sometime in 2026 |
What This Means
For everyday Switch 2 owners, this announcement could drive console sales. Ocarina of Time has the brand recognition of a household name in gaming. Parents might want to share this title with their kids, as it’s a nostalgic piece of their own childhoods. A 2026 release positions it nicely for the holiday shopping season, making it a prime gift option.
For those who haven’t played the original, this might be a fantastic entry point into one of gaming’s most cherished stories. And for veterans of the 1998 version, there’s a mix of nostalgia and curiosity: how will Hyrule look with nearly three decades of hardware advancements?
Right now, the lack of specifics is notable. Nintendo tends to announce games well in advance and gradually release information. Expect a more detailed reveal with gameplay footage sometime in late 2025 or early 2026.
Community Reactions
“I’ve been waiting for this since the Wii U era. If they do this with the same love they put into Link’s Awakening, I will cry actual tears.”
“Bro, they better not just upscale the N64 textures and call it a day. Give us a full rebuild or don’t bother.”
What To Watch
- Nintendo Direct follow-ups: Nintendo usually holds more Direct presentations throughout the year. A deeper dive into the Ocarina of Time remake, including actual gameplay footage, is likely at one of these events.
- Release window narrowing: “2026” is a broad target. Keep an eye out for Nintendo to specify a quarter or season as the year unfolds.
- E3 successor events in summer 2026: Major gaming showcases could be the perfect stage for a full trailer or demo reveal.
- Price point: Nintendo’s remake pricing has varied, from $40 for smaller titles to $60-plus for larger ones. How they price this will hint at the extent of the rebuild.
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
