Zelda fans, rejoice. We’re set to get a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time sometime next year. It was officially announced during the June 2026 Nintendo Direct and will be coming exclusively to Nintendo Switch 2.
Last year, I got the heart container from Ocarina of Time tattooed on my arm, though I never beat the game. I tried as a kid and got frustrated pretty fast at how stiff the controls were and how blocky everything was. Especially since I had started off playing Wind Waker and Twilight Princess.
Most of what I know about the influential Zelda game came from watching hours of Let’s Plays on YouTube. When I heard the game was getting a full remake for Switch 2, I was totally over the moon.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, this guide will cover all of the information about the Ocarina of Time remake as we know it so far. Along with what improvements I’d love to see in the remake
Everything Nintendo’s Confirmed So Far
The remake is real, if that wasn’t clear already. Nintendo hasn’t locked in an exact release date, but I won’t be surprised if it comes out towards the end of the year. Currently, there’s only one trailer out. However, I could see Nintendo wanting time to release more trailers and information to build up anticipation.
This game will only be available on Nintendo Switch 2. This tracks pretty well with how the company has handled the Zelda series. Unfortunately, anyone that’s holding onto a standard Switch will need to go ahead and upgrade it to play the game. (I’m one of those folks.)
The teaser trailer from Direct doesn’t reveal much except for the basics of the plot. It opens on Hyrule Kingdom, and a forest at the edge of the kingdom called the Kokiri Forest. The narrator describes a solitary tree that watches over the forest’s inhabitants, each of whom is accompanied by a fairy. But one sleeping boy is the only one without a fairy. The trailer goes from showing these illustrations on a tapestry to zooming in on a high-quality, 3D link sleeping peacefully in his home.
At the end, the screen simply reads 2026. So we know that at some point this year, it will be coming out. The graphics and music are impressive, a massive improvement from the OG version.
I’ve rewatched it multiple times, and I get goosebumps every time.
It’s a relatively short trailer at only about 1 minute and 38 seconds. Digital Foundry analyzed the footage from the trailer and estimated that the remake runs at about 1440p and 60 frames per second. This is already a huge improvement from the original release on N64.
The visuals also look very different from newer releases like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) . This vibe is more realistic and moody, like how Twilight Princess (one of my top three Zelda games!) looked in 2005.
It’s been a few years since the 3DS remake and especially the original release, so here’s a bit of history! The trailer gives you the basics: Link is the only child in the Kokiri Forest without a fairy companion. He is sent on a mission by the Great Deku Tree to save Hyrule from Ganondorf. You know, the recurring big bad Gerudo villain in almost all of the Zelda games.
The game was originally released in 1998 and got a major upgrade for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011. Many people consider it to be one of the best N64 games ever made. And one of the most important to the Zelda series. The game’s ending also splits the Zelda timeline into two. This plays a big role in how fans map out the subsequent games we still enjoy today.
Reading Between the Leaks
There have been a few (unofficial) details leaked about anything official that can give us a little bit of information about the game.
A very brief product description appeared on Nintendo’s own listing of the game before it was pulled. It described the remake as having “stunning visuals, updated designs, and timeless gameplay.”
A pre-order listing on PlayAsia lists the game at $59.99, the same price TotK had at launch several years ago. Given that inflation is so real, I personally would’ve expected to see it closer to $70 or $80. If that ends up being the price, it might be a sign that Nintendo isn’t planning a full graphics overhaul after all.
There’s no telling just yet, since the trailer’s graphics are pretty impressive, but trailers can be deceptive. I’ve seen it happen with other franchises near and dear to my heart. Like Kingdom Hearts, where the trailer animation is way better than the actual game itself.
All things considered, it’s a win to see this announced in mid-2026, with a release slated for the same year. The timing of the remake lines up well, considering that the Zelda series is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The anniversary celebration could include an updated logo or even an exclusive Tears of the Kingdom controller. Both of which are set to release around the time of the Ocarina of Time remake.
Along with that, we can also expect to see the live-action Zelda movie in theaters next year as well. It’s no surprise that they are reintroducing one of the biggest games in the series to celebrate that occasion.
What I’m Manifesting for the Remake
I consider myself a longtime Zelda fan. The first game that I ever played and completed was Wind Waker on the GameCube when I was seven, so I like to think I’ve earned the right to have opinions here.
First and foremost, I’m hoping the movement in the game is much smoother. The stiff, slow controls made it demotivating to play as a kid, since I was used to Wind Waker and Twilight Princess.
The game is pretty dated, so it would also be amazing to see re-recorded voice acting and remastered music. If the graphics are scaled up so much and the music stays the same, it might feel a little out of place. The music is gorgeous, but it’s still from the 90s. I’d love to hear a remastered version of the Song of Storms or Zelda’s Lullaby that matches the updated look of the game.
This might be a bit of a reach, but seeing partial voice acting in some of the cutscenes, like BotW and TotK did, would be amazing to see. In my experience playing the newer games, it was super exciting to hear the voices for Zelda, Ganondorf, and even side characters like the Zora Prince Sidon.
It wouldn’t necessarily need a fully voiced script, and no one is saying that Link himself has to talk (because that hasn’t happened in any of the newer games). But to see Nintendo pick out the right voice actors to bring the characters to life would be incredible. The casting choices in more recent games have been really enjoyable to hear in the gaming experience. I’m hoping the narration we heard in the trailer isn’t the only voiced lines we hear.
I’ve talked a lot about changes I would like to see in the remake, but the one thing I hope stays untouched is the story.
The game has such a strong reputation for a reason. It’s really the foundation for many Zelda games in the 21st century. I just hope that the gameplay and the graphics are smoother so that someone like me, who grew up on newer games can make it all the way through playing the game myself without losing patience.
Regardless of what we get, I have faith that Nintendo will do something to serve the fans well after 40 years of making amazing games. Keep an eye on Nintendo’s social channels to stay up to date on the latest happenings for the 2026 Ocarina of Time remake.
