Ahead of the release of Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto VI, Nintendo is launching its own fall juggernaut: a Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
The remake, which is releasing 28 years after the launch of the original version on Nintendo 64, has a much more realistic visual style and some modern improvements like a jump button, a way to sprint, full voice acting, and a “Threads of Time” feature that helps you keep track of your progress. But while the game has a new coat of paint, it appears many elements will still remain faithful to the classic N64 release. Nintendo has also launched a special version of the Switch 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller with Triforce imagery to celebrate the game.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is scheduled to release on November 5th. You can follow along with all of our coverage of the game right here.
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Keep on rolling.For the Ocarina of Time remake, Nintendo developers said in a new interview that they wanted to “preserve the experience of spamming the Roll Attack to forward roll your way across Hyrule Field.” I have very fond memories of rolling around the world in the original.
In the remake, you can still spam Roll Attack, but you can also dash.
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A link to the past.The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches later this week, and in the lead-up Nintendo has put out the first half of a lengthy developer Q&A, covering everything from what changed gameplay-wise, to the new visual style, which was inspired by puppet shows. As art director Aya Shida explains:
Neither puppet shows nor practical effects films reproduce reality exactly as it is. Even so, both create a convincing sense that the characters truly exist within their respective fantasy worlds. We also felt that there was some overlap between these forms of expression and the distinctive nostalgia evoked by the original game.
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The long-awaited remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 launches next Thursday, November 5th. In other words, you have a week remaining to secure your physical edition with a $10 discount at Amazon and Walmart. Once the game launches, the physical version will almost certainly go from $59.99 to $69.99 while the digital version will stay at $59.99.
Nintendo had the unenviable task of reimagining its Nintendo 64-era masterpiece for the Switch 2, and based on our hands-on time with some sections of the game, it’s a lot of fun to play. The graphics and art style are fantastic, and the controls have been modernized to be simpler to pick up for those who are already experienced with third-person action games, including other modern Zelda titles.
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Here’s Nintendo’s overview trailer for the Ocarina of Time remake.
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With its upcoming remake for the Switch 2, Nintendo might have nailed the best thing about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: its timelessness. The 1998 3D action adventure game for the Nintendo 64 that pioneered so much — 3D graphics, movement, exploration, openness — has been reengineered with changes that make it feel more modern, and surprisingly terrifying at times. Based on my early hands-on time with the game, it’s shaping up to be the best-looking, best-playing version of the game that addresses the most frustrating aspects of playing the original.
More than just sanding off its roughest edges, Nintendo also fitted Ocarina of Time with modern trappings to make it more welcoming to those who were introduced to Zelda through more modern releases, like Breath of the Wild. The remake has a new progression marker, called Threads of Time, that’s viewable when you pause. It also has Zelda Notes integration within the Nintendo Switch app to let you view game maps and other info on your phone. Oh, it also has a dedicated jump button.
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Hori’s electronic Ocarina of Time requires no musical talent. -
Link’s next adventure now has a release date. During a Legend of Zelda stream for the franchise’s 40th anniversary, Nintendo announced that the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake for the Switch 2 is launching on November 5th. The release date makes Ocarina of Time one of just a few big-budget titles launching in the same month as Grand Theft Auto VI.
Nintendo first teased the remake in June, though it didn’t reveal much aside from a brief trailer. Today’s event provided a clearer glimpse at how the company is approaching remaking one of its most influential games and the first 3D Zelda adventure. The updated version of Ocarina of Time will be the first Zelda release that’s exclusive to the Switch 2, and longtime Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma described the remake as “a faithful interpretation using modern technologies.”
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