The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Presentation

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 game, fully rebuilt for Nintendo Switch 2. It retains the story, world and foundations of the original adventure while substantially modernizing its visuals, controls and several presentation elements.

The player once again follows Link across two periods of his life. The adventure begins when he is a child before an event at the Temple of Time sends him seven years into the future. Hyrule has changed dramatically, and certain regions, characters and situations differ depending on the era visited.

The kingdom retains its iconic structure around Hyrule Field, which connects areas such as Kokiri Forest, Kakariko Village, Death Mountain, Zora's Domain, Lake Hylia and the Gerudo lands.

This new version features completely reworked graphics. Characters, environments, animations and effects have been rebuilt for Nintendo Switch 2 while preserving the overall identity of the original game's locations and protagonists.

The narrative has also received a major overhaul. Cutscenes are now fully voiced, while dialogue has been expanded to give more presence to the people of Hyrule and the characters who accompany Link during his journey.

Exploration uses modernized controls. Link can now run faster and perform a manual jump with a dedicated button, whereas the original game relied mainly on automatic jumping. The camera and movement have also been reworked to provide controls closer to contemporary action-adventure games.

Combat retains the principle of locking onto a target, inherited from the original Z-targeting system, allowing Link to remain oriented toward an opponent while circling, dodging and using his equipment.

Sword, shield, bow, slingshot, bombs, Hookshot and other items are used both in combat and to solve puzzles or reach new areas. Certain equipment remains exclusive to child Link or adult Link, preserving the importance of both eras in progression.

The Ocarina of Time remains at the heart of the adventure. Its various melodies can be used to interact with the world, change the time of day, open certain passages or quickly travel to specific locations.

Songs can be played with the buttons, but this version also allows players to hum or play melodies near the Nintendo Switch 2's built-in microphone so that the game can recognize them.

Dungeons and temples retain their combination of exploration, puzzles, combat and new equipment, while the world also includes numerous side activities, secrets and items to discover.

A new timeline finally allows players to review their progress and current objectives through a visual representation of Link's journey.

Key points

• A full remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 game.
• Developed exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
• Completely reimagined graphics.
• Cutscenes are now fully voiced.
• Expanded dialogue for several characters.
• A newly recorded orchestral soundtrack.
• Link explores Hyrule as both a child and an adult, seven years apart.
• Modernized movement controls and a reworked camera.
• The ability to run faster and jump manually.
• The enemy-locking system is retained and adapted.
• Items remain essential for combat, puzzles and traversal.
• The Ocarina can be played with buttons or through the Nintendo Switch 2 microphone.
• Motion controls can be used to aim certain weapons.
• A new timeline helps track progression and objectives.

Conclusion

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time from 2026 retains the foundations of the Nintendo 64 classic while rebuilding its world for a new generation of hardware.

Travel between childhood and adulthood, dungeons, the Ocarina and the quest for the Sages remain central to the experience, now accompanied by more modern movement, a reworked camera and a completely renewed audiovisual presentation.

Voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue and the orchestral soundtrack also give the narrative a stronger presence, while new Ocarina interactions and Nintendo Switch 2-specific features modernize several systems without replacing the fundamental structure of the original adventure.

Good to know

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is developed and published by Nintendo.

This new version launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.

Nintendo presents it as an adventure rebuilt for Nintendo Switch 2, with completely reworked graphics, voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, orchestral music and modernized camera and movement controls.

It is therefore not a simple emulation or new edition of the Nintendo 64 game: this version is a distinct remake of the 1998 original.

The game remains designed for one player and supports handheld, tabletop and TV modes.

On a compatible display, it supports HDR.

Aiming with certain weapons can make use of the console's motion controls.

Ocarina melodies can be played using traditional controls or recognized through the Nintendo Switch 2's built-in microphone, including by humming or playing the tunes learned by Link.

The game is also compatible with ZELDA NOTES in the Nintendo Switch app. This service notably allows players to track achievements, find locations from clues, use a virtual ocarina and access various activities linked to the game.

Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo planned for 2027 can unlock special masks inspired by the series' retro visual style.

This entry covers exclusively the 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 remake. The 1998 Nintendo 64 game, Ocarina of Time 3D on Nintendo 3DS and the various re-releases remain separate versions in the catalog.