One of the most beloved games of all time is back. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has received a full remake, out today, November 5, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
The original came out in 1998 on Nintendo 64 and still holds a 99 on Metacritic, one of the highest scores ever. And the remake lands right in the year the Zelda series celebrates its 40th anniversary.
What the Ocarina of Time remake is
This isn’t just a remaster with sharper textures. Nintendo rebuilt the game for Switch 2 with brand new visuals and a few gameplay changes, while keeping the structure fans know by heart.
The remake was announced in June with a single shot of Link asleep in bed, and the first gameplay and release date followed in the September Nintendo Direct.
If you remember, this isn’t the game’s first comeback. In 2011, Ocarina of Time got a remaster on Nintendo 3DS, with improved controls and touchscreen support.
What’s changed from the original
The most visible change is in the controls: Link now has a dedicated jump button. He no longer jumps automatically when he reaches the edge of a platform, like he did in 1998.
You can aim the slingshot with either motion controls or the stick, whichever feels more comfortable.
Hyrule Castle Town drops the original’s fixed camera, so you can explore the town freely. On top of that, night can now fall there too, something that used to happen only in certain areas.
There’s also a new menu called Threads of Time. It’s a tapestry that fills in as you reach key story moments, so you can quickly see how far you’ve come.
The cutest new feature, though, is humming. You can hum songs straight into the console, and if Link has already learned that song, it plays in the game.
Nintendo also kept some loading screens between areas on purpose, for example when going from Kokiri Forest to Hyrule Field, so the game keeps its original feel. Navi is back too, with advice about enemies and points of interest.
Link also has a redesigned outfit that now looks like clothing made from forest materials.
Price and how to play it
The game is available only on Nintendo Switch 2, so you’ll need the new console to play it.
In the US, it costs $59.99 digitally on the eShop and $69.99 physically. The official euro price can vary from store to store, so it’s worth checking before you buy.
The first batch of physical copies comes with a limited edition metallic, textured cover, while supplies last. Later shipments will have a standard full-color cover.
Is it worth playing in 2026?
If you’ve never played Ocarina of Time, now is the best moment. It’s the game that defined what a 3D Zelda looks like, and the remake removes some of the old frustrations, like the town’s fixed camera.
And if you’ve beaten it dozens of times on N64, the jump button, the explorable town and humming the songs are reason enough to head back to Hyrule. We’re curious to see how the Water Temple feels with the new controls.
I’m passionate about books and video games. These two great passions represent, for me, a boundless universe where I can “escape” from reality whenever I need or want to. There are so many stories, worlds, and landscapes where I can instantly teleport that I don’t think a whole lifetime would be enough to explore them all (though it would be my greatest dream to be able to).
