Nintendo Unveils Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Gameplay, Switch 2 Exclusive, Launching November 5

During a special Direct marking the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo on September 8, 2026 revealed new gameplay footage for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake, showcasing updated visuals and mechanics. The title is a Switch 2 exclusive and will launch on November 5, 2026.

The remake is a complete rebuild rather than an HD port, adopting a nostalgic, realistic fantasy art style that contrasts with the bright cel-shaded look of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Characters and environments have been fully recreated, with locations such as Kokiri Forest and characters like Saria given fresh designs that aim to appeal to longtime fans while welcoming a new generation of players.

Core story elements from the original—including time travel, the playing of the Ocarina of Time, and the Master Sword—remain fully intact. The soundtrack has been entirely re-recorded with a symphony orchestra. During the Direct, producer Eiji Aonuma said the team sought to preserve the original atmosphere while modernizing the experience. Some areas still feature loading transitions, and the main story content is fully retained, with expanded NPC dialogue adding further detail to the classic tale.

Gameplay has received extensive modern updates. The original's automatic jumping has been replaced with a dedicated manual jump button, and Link can now freely swim and dive in water. The signature lock-on combat system returns, supporting dodges, sidesteps, and jump attacks. Fairy Navi returns with full voice acting and continues to offer gameplay hints. The slingshot now supports gyroscopic motion aiming, and the inventory has been upgraded to a sliding quick-access system for smoother equipment switching.

The game targets 1440p resolution at 60 frames per second, with large seamless stretches of exploration in overworld areas. All classic dungeons have been remade in high definition, and the Water Temple has been adjusted to refine its original puzzle logic.