The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Release Date, Gameplay & Features

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches on Thursday, November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo rebuilt the 1998 Nintendo 64 classic from the ground up with new visuals, fully voiced cutscenes and modern controls, and it is one of the headline titles in our November 2026 game releases roundup. Below you will find the release date, price, every confirmed gameplay change and the new Hall of Fallen Foes mode explained.

Detail	Info
Release date	November 5, 2026
Platform	Nintendo Switch 2 only
Price	$59.99 digital, $69.99 physical
Publisher	Nintendo
Original game	Nintendo 64, 1998
Genre	Action-adventure

Ocarina of Time Remake Release Date and Price

Nintendo confirmed the November 5, 2026 release date during the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on September 8, 2026, where series producer Eiji Aonuma presented the first full gameplay. The remake is a Switch 2 exclusive, so there is no version for the original Switch.

Digital pre-orders are already live on the Nintendo eShop at $59.99. The physical edition costs $69.99, and first print copies come with textured foil cover art while supplies last. Nintendo is also marking the anniversary with a Zelda themed Switch 2 console and Pro Controller, which went on sale on October 29, 2026.

In the days after the launch, several US store reports pointed to uneven stock for the themed console. Some Walmart stores were reported to have a supply chain delay, with the console blocked from sale at the till until at least November 6 and some pre-orders cancelled, while other stores sold their units on the morning of October 29. Best Buy was reported to be holding stock back for the November 5 game launch night, and Target was reported to be selling the console in store on November 5 and online on November 6. Nintendo has not announced any wider delay, so treat these as store level reports rather than an official change: if your pre-order was cancelled, check the same store again around the November 5 launch before paying resale prices.

What Is New in the Ocarina of Time Remake?

This is a full remake, not a simple HD port. The world of Hyrule has been rebuilt with new models, textures and lighting, and the story is now told through fully voiced cutscenes for the first time. The 1998 original used text boxes for every conversation, so hearing Link meet Princess Zelda, the Deku Tree and Ganondorf with full voice acting changes how the story feels.

Characters also have expanded dialogue, so the people Link meets on his journey say more than they did on the N64. The soundtrack has been rerecorded as a symphonic orchestral score, replacing the compressed audio of the original cartridge.

Gameplay Changes: Jump Button, Sprint and a Free Camera

The biggest changes are in how Link moves. The remake adds a dedicated jump button and a sprint, two things the 1998 game did not have, and the camera is now controlled freely with the right stick instead of snapping behind Link. Z-targeting in combat stays faithful to the original, and you can aim the bow and slingshot with gyro controls.

Smaller touches add up. The day and night cycle now keeps running inside towns, and a new Threads of Time screen shows your story progress and next objective on a tapestry that fills in as you play. The ocarina itself uses the Switch 2 microphone: hum a melody Link has learned and he will play it back on the ocarina in game.

Hall of Fallen Foes and Zelda Notes Explained

The Hall of Fallen Foes is a brand new area where statues of the enemies and bosses you have beaten are displayed. Walk up to a statue to read about the enemy and where you found it, and for bosses you can jump into a rematch and see how fast you can win the second time. Nintendo showed a rematch against King Dodongo in the trailer.

The remake also connects to Zelda Notes in the Nintendo Switch app. From your phone you can check the map, follow Threads of Time, review your play data, use the Photo Studio and take part in an Ocarina of Time quiz.

Ocarina of Time Remake vs the 1998 Original

Feature	1998 Original	2026 Remake
Cutscenes	Text boxes, no voices	Fully voiced
Camera	Fixed angles, auto follow	Free camera on right stick
Movement	Auto jump off ledges	Jump button and sprint
Music	N64 cartridge audio	Symphonic orchestral score
Boss rematches	Not available	Hall of Fallen Foes
Quest tracking	None	Threads of Time tapestry

Should You Play Ocarina of Time for the First Time on Switch 2?

Yes. If you never played the N64 original, this remake is the easiest way in: the story, dungeons and puzzles that made it one of the highest rated games of all time are all here, without the dated controls. Returning players get a genuinely different experience thanks to the voice acting, new dialogue and boss rematch mode. It also shares its launch day with another big Switch 2 release, so our Stellar Blade Switch 2 guide is worth a look if you are choosing between the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Ocarina of Time remake come out?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches on November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

Is the Ocarina of Time remake on the original Switch?

No. Nintendo announced the remake as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, so it will not run on the original Switch.

How much does the Ocarina of Time remake cost?

The digital edition costs $59.99 on the Nintendo eShop and the physical edition costs $69.99. First print physical copies include textured foil cover art while supplies last.

Is the Ocarina of Time remake a full remake or a remaster?

It is a full remake. Nintendo rebuilt the 1998 game with new visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, an orchestral score and reworked movement and camera controls.

What is the Hall of Fallen Foes?

The Hall of Fallen Foes is a new area that displays statues of enemies and bosses you have defeated. You can read about each one and fight boss rematches to beat your previous clear time.

Can you pre-order the Ocarina of Time remake now?

Yes. Digital pre-orders are live on the Nintendo eShop, and physical copies can be pre-ordered at retailers ahead of the November 5, 2026 launch.

Last updated: November 3, 2026