Nintendo Just Officially Announced a Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake for Switch 2

by Geth Author

The June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct saved its biggest moment for last. As the show wound down, the familiar notes of Saria's Song began to play over black, and Nintendo officially confirmed what leaks had been circulating for weeks: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 as a full remake, sometime in 2026.

What Was Shown

The trailer is entirely cinematic — no gameplay footage. It centers on Link as a young Kokiri, the forest child who had no fairy, wandering through Kokiri Forest while the other children play. The narration is sparse and atmospheric, letting the visuals carry the weight of the announcement.

And the visuals are doing heavy lifting. Even in a short cinematic sequence, the difference from a remaster is clear: light reflects realistically off Link's hair, the forest canopy filters sunlight in a way the N64 original could only gesture at, and the environment has genuine depth and material detail. This is a rebuilt game, not a polished one.

Nintendo's official statement was brief: "Zelda: Ocarina of Time will be reborn on Nintendo Switch 2. More details will be announced in the future."

Why This Matters

Ocarina of Time has sat at or near the top of "greatest games of all time" lists for over two decades. Its 1998 release on Nintendo 64 defined 3D action-adventure design — the Z-targeting lock-on system alone influenced every third-person action game that followed. It has never received a full remake. The 3DS version in 2011 was a faithful port with updated textures; this is something different.

A full remake also carries different risks. The question isn't whether Nintendo can make Ocarina of Time look current — it's whether a modern development team can preserve the pacing, dungeon design, and moment-to-moment feel of a game that many people consider essentially perfect. The cinematic trailer offers no answer yet.

The Rest of the Direct

The Ocarina of Time reveal closed a strong show. Earlier highlights included Splatoon Raiders (full reveal, launches July 23 with a dedicated Direct on June 30 and themed Joy-Con 2 controllers), Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave (September 17, 2026), and Kingdom Hearts 4 confirmed for Switch 2 alongside other platforms. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is also coming to Switch 2 in June.

No release window was given for the Ocarina of Time remake beyond "2026." Given the lack of gameplay footage, a holiday window — October or November — seems most plausible. Nintendo has not confirmed this.