The The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is bringing Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 classic to Nintendo Switch 2 with far more than a visual overhaul.
Revealed in greater detail during the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, the remake introduces redesigned graphics, improved performance, new controls, additional dialogue, quality-of-life features and an entirely new companion service through the Nintendo Switch App.
Nintendo describes the project as a faithful interpretation of the original game using modern technology. However, the changes shown so far make this more than a simple graphical remake.
Here is a complete list of the new features, improvements and changes confirmed so far for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2.
Improved graphics and performance
The most obvious change is the game’s presentation. The remake features completely redone graphics, including new textures for different materials throughout Hyrule. Character models, environments and effects have all been rebuilt for modern hardware.
Nintendo has also improved overall performance, with smoother gameplay and faster loading times. Other audiovisual changes include:
- Refreshed sound effects
- New character dialogue
- Symphonic orchestral music
- Fully voiced characters during in-game cutscenes
The result is a version of Ocarina of Time that retains the original game’s art direction while taking advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s hardware.
Link gets new movement options
One of the biggest gameplay changes is that Link can now jump manually. In the original Nintendo 64 game, Link’s jumps were largely contextual. The remake allows players to press a button to jump whenever appropriate, giving the character more direct control.
Movement has also been adjusted. Holding the A button allows Link to roll and transition into a dash, making traversal feel faster and more responsive.
The game also supports motion controls for aiming weapons, including the Fairy Bow and Slingshot.
A free camera changes exploration
The remake introduces more flexible camera controls, including the ability to freely move the camera in areas such as Hyrule Castle Town.
Nintendo has also expanded parts of the town that were previously little more than distant scenery in the Nintendo 64 original. Time now continues to pass throughout the area as well, including while Link is exploring Hyrule Castle Town.
Threads of Time helps guide your adventure
One of the most significant additions is Threads of Time, a new feature designed to help players keep track of their progress. The system shows how much of the story has been completed and provides information about the player’s next objective.
A tapestry also changes as the adventure progresses, giving players another visual way to follow Link’s journey. This should make the remake considerably more accessible for newcomers without fundamentally changing the structure of the original adventure.
A new way to play the Ocarina
The remake also takes advantage of modern hardware to change how players interact with the Ocarina of Time. Players can hum melodies or play real-life musical instruments, allowing Link to reproduce the tunes in the game.
The feature offers a new twist on one of the most iconic mechanics in Ocarina of Time while giving players an unusual reason to start humming Zelda songs around the house.
Zelda Notes adds new features through the Nintendo Switch App
The remake will also be compatible with Zelda Notes, a dedicated service available through the Nintendo Switch App. The service includes several features designed to complement the main adventure:
- Map
- Gossip Quests
- Hall of Fallen Foes
- Today’s Record
- My Play Data
- Global Play Data
- Photo Studio
- Threads of Time
- amiibo
- Play Ocarina
- Ocarina of Time Quiz
Today’s Record
Today’s Record keeps track of what players accomplished during a particular day. It can display achievements chronologically, as well as statistics such as the number of enemies defeated during that play session.
Gossip Quests
Gossip Quests turn the player’s smartphone into an exploration tool. Players will receive an image showing a location from the game and must find it in Hyrule. Completing these challenges awards points that can be exchanged for additional Ocarina music scores.
Play Ocarina
Play Ocarina allows players to use their smart device as a virtual Ocarina. Players can freely perform songs, follow a guide or have the melodies played automatically. They can also create and share music scores using QR codes.
Ocarina of Time Quiz
For fans who think they know everything about Nintendo’s classic, the remake includes an Ocarina of Time Quiz with more than 2,000 questions. The quiz can be attempted once per day, although players can spend Rupees earned in the game to get additional attempts.
When does the Ocarina of Time remake release?
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.
The remake combines the original Nintendo 64 adventure with a substantial collection of technical, gameplay and quality-of-life improvements.
For longtime fans, the biggest question will be whether these changes preserve the magic of the original. For newcomers, however, this could be the definitive way to experience one of the most influential games in Zelda history.
Source: Nintendo Direct