The game audience can get reacquainted The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time before too long, as it has been announced that the 1998 classic will be getting a remake towards the end of 2026. This news comes from renowned Nintendo leaker NateTheHate, whose records include correctly reporting the Switch 2 release date, among other things. The leak also contains information on other Nintendo 2026 games, including a new Star Fox.
Star Fox is exciting but Ocarina of Time is, well Ocarina of Time. Few video games have been as durable as this Nintendo 64 Zelda the title that arguably perfected the 3D action-adventure genre. To this day, Link's adventure through time through Hyrule is often considered essential Zelda experience, perfectly balancing whimsy, mysticism and deeper themes alongside compelling gameplay systems. in a word Zelda: Ocarina of Time could be called timeless. It's surprisingly smooth around the edges and holds up wonderfully nearly three decades after its launch. It is for this reason that I think viewers should not get too carried away with speculation about it Ocarina of Time remake because it will probably be on the more modest end of the remake spectrum.
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Natethehate doesn't seem too sure what to expect from this Ocarina of Time reprisal, although he allegedly believes in its existence. According to the Natethehate podcast
“In the second half of 2026, around the holidays, if not the holidays, we'll get an Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2. That's something I was a bit hesitant about back in January because I didn't think it was something they'd do. I hear an Ocarina of Time remake. I don't have details on what type of remake Demon:1 might have. Souls or maybe a remake that's free to explore design options.”
Natethehate paints Ocarina of Time remodel into a project where anything is possible, which may be true to some extent, but I'd be surprised if it went too far Soul of Demons camp. Assuming the remake is real, it's a bit unusual for Nintendo, as most proper remakes from the company are smaller, like the Switch release Link's Awakening. Don't get me wrong, the original Link's Awakening is great and its remake is fine, but neither is as solidly designed nor as revolutionary as Ocarina of Time. In addition, the changes made in Link's Awakening remakes are mostly superficial, leaving the structure and core gameplay of the original intact.
This is in stark contrast to something like Capcom Resident Evil remakes or Final Fantasy VII remake project by Square Enix. Rather, these games are adaptations of their source material – somewhat faithful, but ultimately reworked from the ground up. These games are visually, mechanically, and structurally different from their ancestors, a risk that usually pays off. In fact, significant creative departures from Final Fantasy 7 Remake it will probably contribute to a better gaming market as the intention is not to replace the original FF7 but rather to offer a different experience based on it.
This will almost certainly not be the case Ocarina of Time remake, and not just because of Nintendo's history with its greatest properties. Ocarina of Time is essentially a precursor to modern adventure games, most of which embrace trends that are a bit more controversial, such as copy-paste open-world activities, too much gear, and grind-heavy progression systems. These are mechanics and systems that an Ocarina of Time remake would risk injection if he took it Final Fantasy VII, Silent Hill 2or Resident Evil 4 and Nintendo is probably aware of this. Ultimately, this is a good thing.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time should be left as unchanged as possible
We have already received an improved version Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 3DS, which features revamped visuals and quality-of-life features, so perhaps the rumored remake should just be another step forward. Most Zelda fans just want to play the original Ocarina of Time natively on Switch, and if Nintendo doesn't, then a remake Ocarina of Time (released in Zelda40th anniversary, no less) should at least be faithful. New graphics, subtle but impressive controls tweaks, better performance and maybe some extra content here and there could improve Ocarina of Timebut a remake will be better if it is additive, not revolutionary.
- Released
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November 21, 1998
- ESRB
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E10+ for everyone aged 10+: Animated blood, Fantasy violence, Sexual themes
- Developers
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Nintendo
- Publishers
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Zelda 64 engine
