The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is officially here, so you can now step into Hyrule and relive or experience the magic of Link's classic adventure for the first time.
Initially revealed during the Nintendo Direct June 2026 showcase after much rumor and speculation, the confirmed remake got an exciting extended look during the Zelda Direct for the series' 40th anniversary ahead of launch, which only added to the excitement surrounding the new game.
As a Switch 2 exclusive modern remake of one of the best N64 games (and one of the best 3DS games for that matter), the return of Ocarina of Time is already making waves, with it now sitting high up on Metacritic. If you're considering picking it up and want to learn more, or you're looking for a recap of everything you can expect from the adventure, you can find our breakdown of the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake below.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time release date
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's release date of November 5, 2026 is here, meaning you can now experience the remake.
This news came our way during the Zelda Direct for the series' 40th anniversary on September 8, 2026.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time platforms
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's remake is a Switch 2 exclusive, which means you unfortunately can't play this adventure on the Switch 1. Nor will it land on another platform, as Nintendo famously keeps the Zelda series exclusive to its own consoles.
If you don't own a Switch 2, sorry to be the bearer of bad news – but if it helps, we've hand-picked the best games like Zelda to scratch the itch no matter your platform of choice.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake review
With the comeback of one of the Link's classic adventures now out in the wild, you can get our glowing verdict in our The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time review, in which we explore why it's "pure magic" and one of the "biggest and boldest remakes" around right now.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time trailers
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time story
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time tells what is arguably the series' most foundational story: when Link, the only child in Kokiri Forest without a fairy companion, meets the great Deku Tree. He's then shortly sent on a quest to save Hyrule from the schemes of Gerudo thief, Ganondorf.
Not only does this serve as the introduction to the series' main antagonist, but nearly every Zelda game released since can trace its story back to Ocarina of Time – which famously split the series into multiple timelines with its paradoxical ending.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake gameplay
As for how Ocarina of Time plays on the Switch 2, it's very faithful to the original, with some modern improvements and welcome changes that breathe new life into the adventure.
Just like in the original, Link is set loose in a central area (in this case, Hyrule Field) from which he can explore Hyrule, tackle optional minigames and stories, and clear dungeons to foil Ganondorf.
In terms of changes, Link can now jump (huge news), swim, dive, and you can rotate the camera. There is also a new feature called Threads of Time, which lets you track your progress and easily check in with your next objective. A really cool mechanic is that as you progress through the game, a tapestry starts to fill out to reflect your journey.
The Ocarina itself also has some new tweaks, too, including the ability for you to hum a tune and then watch as Link plays it. Nintendo is also selling physical Ocarinas that you can use to influence the gameplay. This is an important gameplay feature as well, since certain songs can influence things like day and night changing, which in turn can open up certain events.
As we first saw in the overview trailer, the Remake also includes a feature known as the "Hall of Fallen Foes". Here, you can learn more about the enemies you've defeated and have rematches against them, meaning you also have the option to revisit any boss fights you conquer as Link. For more of our initial gameplay impressions prior to launch, you can head on over to our Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake hands-on preview.
Looking for something to play while you wait? You're in luck: we've ranked the best Switch 2 games you can play right now.
