Ocarina of Time remake brings Nintendo’s landmark adventure to a new generation

Nintendo has brought one of gaming’s most influential adventures back to life. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launched on Nintendo Switch 2 on Nov. 5, 2026, with upgraded graphics, expanded dialogue and modern controls that introduce the landmark 1998 game to a new generation.

The remake arrives during the franchise’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Nintendo first revealed the project in June before showing gameplay and confirming its release date during a Sept. 8 Nintendo Direct presentation.

The original Ocarina of Time debuted on Nintendo 64 in 1998 and helped establish design conventions for three-dimensional action-adventure games. Its targeting system, exploration, puzzle-filled dungeons and time-traveling story influenced generations of developers. The original also holds a Metacritic score of 99, making it one of the most highly rated games in the platform’s history.

The Switch 2 remake builds on that foundation rather than reinventing it. Nintendo overhauled the visuals, added fully voiced cutscenes and expanded character dialogue. Players can also jump on command, control the camera with the right stick and enjoy updated movement and item controls. The game features symphonic orchestral music and more detailed environments.

Nintendo also introduced additional features through its ZELDA NOTES service in the Nintendo Switch app. Players can track their progress, receive visual hints for finding locations, play a virtual ocarina and take daily quizzes featuring more than 2,000 questions.

Critics have responded enthusiastically. Video Games Chronicle awarded the remake five out of five stars, describing it as “a remarkable restoration of one of gaming’s most beloved adventures.” Reviewer Andy Robinson praised Nintendo for refining the original without sacrificing its identity.

“Rather than reinventing a masterpiece, Nintendo has carefully refined what made it special,” the review concluded.

The remake reached a Metacritic score of 96 ahead of launch, placing it among 2026’s highest-rated releases, according to Video Games Chronicle’s Nov. 4 report. The score also placed it among the site’s top 30 games of all time at the time of publication. Those rankings can change as additional reviews arrive.

Nintendo producer Eiji Aonuma said the development team approached the project as an opportunity to learn from the original game’s design. He wanted younger developers to understand how the 1998 adventure worked and apply those insights to future projects.