Story & dungeons confirmed
1998 originalEight main dungeons plus mini-dungeons, two time periods.
Switch 2 remakeSame story and dungeon structure. No new main dungeons have been announced.
Sources: Nintendo Reporters, Wikipedia
Switch 2 · November 5, 2026
What's New in the Ocarina of Time Remake
Every confirmed change from the 1998 original, what the new features do, the Zelda Notes phone app, prices and editions, and what Nintendo still hasn't said.
Quick answer
The Ocarina of Time remake launches November 5, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2 for $59.99 (digital) or $69.99 (physical). It keeps the original story and dungeons and adds rebuilt visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, an orchestral score, a jump button, a dash, a free camera, time that flows in towns, a fully explorable Hyrule Market, the Threads of Time story log, the Hall of Fallen Foes, and hum-to-play ocarina songs.
Launch facts
| Detail | Answer | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | Thursday, November 5, 2026 | confirmed |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 only (no original Switch version announced) | confirmed |
| Price (US) | $59.99 digital, $69.99 physical | confirmed |
| First print run | Physical copies ship with textured foil cover art while supplies last | confirmed |
| Developer | Nintendo EPD, produced by Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi | confirmed |
| Players | Single-player | confirmed |
| Download size | About 27 GB (pre-launch estimate) | reported |
| Announced | June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct; dated at the Sept 8, 2026 Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct | confirmed |
Original vs remake
17 differences, each marked confirmed (Nintendo or several outlets) or reported (previews or a single outlet).
Visuals confirmed
1998 originalN64-era models and pre-rendered town backdrops.
Jumping confirmed
1998 originalAutomatic: Link leaps when he runs off a ledge.
Switch 2 remakeA dedicated jump button. Some routes now include deliberate jumps.
Sources: Gematsu, The PC Enthusiast
Running confirmed
1998 originalOne fixed run speed (plus rolling).
Switch 2 remakeA new run/dash command for faster travel.
Sources: Gematsu, Nintendo Reporters
Camera confirmed
1998 originalMostly automatic; Z-targeting recenters it.
Switch 2 remakeFull free camera on the Right Stick.
Sources: Gematsu, Zelda Central
Aiming confirmed
1998 originalStick aiming (the 3DS version added gyro).
Switch 2 remakeOptional motion aiming for the Slingshot, Bow and other aimed items; stick aiming still works.
Sources: The PC Enthusiast, Wikipedia
Swimming reported
1998 originalSlow surface swimming.
Switch 2 remakeFaster swimming.
Sources: Wikipedia
Item switching reported
1998 originalThree C-button item slots.
Switch 2 remakeItem scrolling between items, similar to Breath of the Wild.
Sources: Wikipedia
Day and night confirmed
1998 originalTime freezes inside towns and buildings.
Hyrule Market confirmed
1998 originalPre-rendered screens with a fixed camera.
Switch 2 remakeA fully explorable 3D town with a movable camera.
Sources: Wikipedia, Nintendo Reporters
Voice & dialogue confirmed
1998 originalText only, with voice clips for grunts.
Switch 2 remakeFully voiced cutscenes (including Zelda, Navi and Ganondorf) and expanded dialogue.
Sources: Gematsu, The PC Enthusiast
Music confirmed
1998 originalSynthesized N64 soundtrack.
Switch 2 remakeSymphonic orchestral arrangements and refreshed sound effects.
Sources: Gematsu, Nintendo Reporters
Playing songs confirmed
1998 originalEnter notes with the buttons.
Switch 2 remakeButtons still work, or hum a song you have learned into the Switch 2 microphone. HORI and a playable ocarina accessory are also supported.
Sources: Gematsu, The PC Enthusiast
Story log confirmed
1998 originalAsk Navi or remember.
Switch 2 remakeThreads of Time: a tapestry that fills in as you play and shows your next objective.
Sources: Gematsu, Zelda Central
Enemy collection confirmed
1998 originalNone.
Switch 2 remakeHall of Fallen Foes: statues of defeated enemies with info, plus rematches against some bosses.
Sources: The PC Enthusiast, Zelda Central
Loading confirmed
1998 originalLoading between most areas.
Small layout tweaks reported
1998 originalOriginal layouts.
Switch 2 remakeHands-on previews describe a new ladder and gap jump on the way to the Kokiri Sword, plus changes around Lon Lon Ranch and Kakariko Village.
Sources: Zelda Central
The new features, explained
Threads of Time
A tapestry that fills in as the story moves on and always shows your next objective. Useful after a break, and it pairs well with this guide's chapter goals.
Hall of Fallen Foes
Statues of every enemy you've beaten, with notes on where each lives. Some bosses can be fought again here. Our bestiary lists them all.
Hum to play
Once you've learned a song, hum it into the Switch 2 microphone and Link plays it. Buttons work too, and so do HORI's electronic ocarina and the playable ocarina accessory.
Free camera, jump & dash
Right Stick camera control, a jump button instead of automatic ledge leaps, and a run command. Optional gyro aiming for the Slingshot and Bow.
Zelda Notes (Nintendo Switch App)
A free companion feature on your phone. It doesn't replace a walkthrough, but Gossip Quests are a fun reason to revisit places after you finish.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Today's Record | A running log of each play session with stats such as enemies defeated. |
| Gossip Quest | Your phone shows a picture of a place in Hyrule. Find it in the game to earn points that unlock extra ocarina scores. |
| Play Ocarina | A touchscreen ocarina with guided play, auto-play, and a composer that shares your songs by QR code. |
| Ocarina of Time Quiz | Over 2,000 questions. One free attempt per day; extra attempts cost in-game Rupees. |
| Play data | Your progress and global player stats. |
Editions, amiibo & accessories
Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2
confirmedA Switch 2 console with a special anniversary design, released October 29, 2026, alongside a matching Pro Controller (with or without a display stand) and a carrying case.
Ocarina accessories
confirmedA playable ocarina and an electronic ocarina from HORI that plays notes or whole songs at the press of a button. Neither is required.
Young Link & Young Zelda amiibo
confirmedDue in 2027. They unlock retro-style masks in the game.
Original N64 version
confirmedStill playable through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Still unknown
- Whether Master Quest, a Hero Mode or a boss-rush mode is included
- Whether any Gold Skulltula or Piece of Heart has moved
- Whether the 3DS Sheikah Stone hint videos return
- Changes to the trading sequences or mask rewards
- Target resolution and frame rate
- Exactly which bosses the Hall of Fallen Foes lets you rematch, and what for
- The full list of rewards for existing Zelda amiibo
We'll update this page as soon as the game is out and these are answered.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Ocarina of Time remake come out?
November 5, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo announced the date at the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on September 8, 2026.
How much does the Ocarina of Time remake cost?
In the US it is $59.99 digital and $69.99 physical. The first physical print run has textured foil cover art while supplies last.
Is the Ocarina of Time remake on the original Nintendo Switch?
No. It is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, and no version for the original Switch has been announced.
Are the dungeons different in the remake?
The story and dungeon structure are the same as the 1998 original, and no new main dungeons have been announced. Previews mention small layout tweaks in some overworld areas, so this guide is re-checking every route on Switch 2.
Does the remake include Master Quest?
Nintendo has not announced Master Quest, a Hero Mode or a boss-rush mode. This page will be updated if that changes.
Can you play the songs by humming?
Yes. Once Link has learned a song, you can hum it into the Switch 2 microphone and he plays it. The button controls also still work.
What is Threads of Time?
A new story log shown as a tapestry. It fills in as you progress and always shows your next objective, which makes it easy to pick the game back up after a break.
What is the Hall of Fallen Foes?
A new place in the remake with statues of the enemies you have defeated. Inspect a statue to learn about that enemy, and rematch some bosses there.
What is Zelda Notes?
A free companion feature in the Nintendo Switch App on your phone, with a play log, photo-based Gossip Quests, a virtual ocarina and a 2,000-question quiz.
How many Gold Skulltulas and Pieces of Heart are there?
The original game has 100 Gold Skulltulas and 36 Pieces of Heart, plus 8 Heart Containers from bosses. The remake has not announced any change to these totals.
Do I need the original game's knowledge to use this guide?
No. Every chapter starts with a short summary and goal, and Guide Mode walks you through one step at a time.
Sources
- Gematsu: Ocarina of Time remake launches November 5
- Game Informer: Ocarina of Time remake launches this November
- Wikipedia: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026 video game)
- Nintendo Reporters: Everything new in the Ocarina of Time remake
- Zelda Central: Ocarina of Time Remake hub
- The PC Enthusiast: Remake vs original