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Nintendo Announces 'Ocarina of Time' Remake Release Date
Nintendo has officially announced the release date for its highly anticipated remake of the classic game "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time." The game is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026. This announcement came during Nintendo's 40th Anniversary Direct presentation, where the company also unveiled the first extended gameplay footage, offering fans a glimpse of the game's new features and visual enhancements.
Enhanced Features and Visual Overhaul
The remake promises a comprehensive visual overhaul of the original 1998 Nintendo 64 title. According to Nintendo, the new version will feature reworked character models, a free-moving camera, refreshed sound design, and fully voiced cutscenes. The gameplay has also been updated with several new mechanics, including a manual jump button, a sprint option for faster traversal, and a continuously moving day-night cycle that remains active even when Link is inside towns.
The gameplay footage showcased scenes of Young Link exploring iconic locations such as Kokiri Forest, Hyrule Field, and Hyrule Castle Town. A separate story trailer highlighted key characters like Princess Zelda, Ganondorf, and Sheik, as well as formidable bosses such as Phantom Ganon and Twinrova. Nintendo has expanded character interactions, adding new voice acting for characters like Princess Ruto, and players will be able to hum songs to play them in-game, a nod to the original's ocarina mechanic.
Preorders and Special Editions
Preorders for the game are currently available, with digital downloads priced at $59.99 and physical copies at $69.99. First-print copies will feature foil cover art, reminiscent of the collectible packaging from the original N64 release. Additionally, a special edition Zelda-themed Switch 2 console and a Switch 2 Pro controller are set to release on October 29, though both appear to be sold out online already.
Competition with GTA VI
The release of "Ocarina of Time" on November 5 will place it in direct competition with another major title, "Grand Theft Auto VI," which is scheduled to launch two weeks later on November 19. Both games are highly anticipated, and their close release dates are likely to intensify competition in the gaming market this holiday season.
The original "Ocarina of Time," which first launched in 1998, is often regarded as one of the most influential video games ever made, holding a 99 out of 100 score on Metacritic. While it received a remaster for the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, Nintendo has emphasized that the upcoming Switch 2 version is a more extensive rebuild rather than a simple visual update.
