The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will return on Nintendo Switch 2 on 5 November 2026, with Nintendo debuting a first look at the remake of the 1998 adventure during its Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct. The presentation also outlined new hardware, merchandise and anniversary concerts, including an Australian tour beginning in Melbourne in May 2027.
Series producer Eiji Aonuma presented the remake’s first gameplay, showing an overhaul that extends beyond its visuals. The release will feature fully voiced and expanded cutscenes, additional character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, refreshed sound and revised movement and camera controls. The art direction represents a substantial change from every previous The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time re-release, although the world itself still, from first glance, appears recognisable as the original adventure’s Hyrule. Hyrule Field, for example, appears to retain that identity rather than being reshaped around a modern approach to open worlds. Some elements have attracted mixed reception however, particularly the character designs. Their attempt to bring together older designs and newer presentation can feel a little uncanny alongside other modern titles.
Players will have dedicated commands to jump and run freely, while the right stick will control the camera. Nintendo also promises faster loading, smoother performance and more responsive actions. Locations have been remodelled with additional details, and the day and night cycle will now continue in towns as well as elsewhere in the world. A new feature called Threads of Time will let players review their story progress and check their next objective at any point. A tapestry will gradually fill in as the adventure progresses. Here’s hope that the necessity of this could mean they are going beyond a remake, and offering additional narrative strands beyond the iconic main storyline – something which previously was relegated to the questline of the Biggoron’s Sword.
The remake also introduces another way to perform Link’s ocarina songs. Humming or playing a melody he has learned within range of the Nintendo Switch 2 system’s built-in microphone will prompt him to perform it in the game. A playable ocarina and a HORI electronic version, which can produce individual notes or complete songs at the press of a button, are also due later this year. The first physical print run of Ocarina of Time will feature special packaging with textured foil cover art, available while supplies last.
Nintendo’s accompanying ZELDA NOTES service will also gain support for the remake through the Nintendo Switch App on compatible smart devices. Today’s Record will provide a chronological account of daily accomplishments and statistics, including defeated enemies. Gossip Quest will ask players to identify in-game locations from hint images, awarding points towards music scores for the Play Ocarina feature. Play Ocarina will offer a touchscreen instrument with guided and automatic playback, alongside the ability to create scores and share them through QR codes. An Ocarina of Time quiz will contain more than 2,000 questions, with one attempt available each day and additional attempts obtainable using rupees earned in the game. ZELDA NOTES already supports the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Ahead of the remake, Nintendo will release a Triforce-themed Nintendo Switch 2 40th Anniversary Edition system on 29 October 2026. Matching Pro Controllers will be available with or without a display stand, alongside an anniversary carrying case with a screen protector. Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo will follow in 2027, unlocking special masks in Ocarina of Time that evoke a retro graphical style. The previously announced Mineru’s Construct amiibo for Tears of the Kingdom will launch on 17 September 2026.
The anniversary concert series will cover music from across the franchise. Regional tours begin in Tokyo in January 2027, Chicago in February, London in April and Melbourne in May. Further locations and dates will be published on the concert website. Beyond the games, the live-action film officially titled The Legend of Zelda will open in cinemas worldwide on 30 April 2027. The production comes from Nintendo, Arad Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment, drawing on the stories, ideas and concepts developed across the series’ 40-year history.
