Short answer: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches on the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026. A week earlier, on October 29, the Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2, Pro Controller and carrying case arrive. We’re less than a week from the accessories, so here’s everything we know so far and why I’m already counting down.
I feel like I’ve been waiting for a Legend of Zelda game to land on the Switch 2 for so long, and the wait is nearly over. After years of rumors, Nintendo has confirmed a date for a full remake of a classic. If you already have plans for November 2026, this is why.
Key dates to put in your calendar
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| June 9, 2026 | Nintendo announces the Ocarina of Time remake in a Nintendo Direct |
| September 8, 2026 | Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct shows gameplay and confirms the release date |
| October 29, 2026 | Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2, Pro Controller and carrying case release |
| November 5, 2026 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches on Nintendo Switch 2 |
| 2027 | Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo |
What’s new in the Ocarina of Time remake
The remake keeps the story and gameplay of the 1998 original, with Link traveling across two time periods to stop Ganondorf, but rebuilds almost everything around it. Based on what Nintendo has shown so far:
- Rebuilt visuals: a new look for Hyrule, down to the material textures
- Orchestral soundtrack: a symphonic score that replaces the original’s sound
- Voiced cutscenes and expanded dialogue: Nintendo hasn’t announced the voice cast yet
- Modern controls: reworked camera and movement, including a jump button, right-stick camera control and motion-controlled aiming
- Smoother performance: reported to run at 60 frames per second, with HDR on compatible TVs
- Threads of Time: a quest log that summarizes the story and tracks your objectives
- Time keeps moving: in the original, time paused in towns and buildings, but in the remake it passes everywhere
- Hall of Fallen Foes: a room for boss rematches
Hum your ocarina songs into the Switch 2
This is the feature I’m most curious about. As you learn Link’s ocarina songs, you can play them with the buttons or simply hum the melody into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone, and Link plays the song in the game. You could even try playing the songs on a real ocarina.
Nintendo has also announced two real ocarinas for later this year: a playable one for the musically inclined, and an electric version from HORI that plays notes or whole songs at the press of a button.
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 and accessories (October 29)
The first thing to land is the hardware, a week before the game:
- Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition: a gold and metallic green design, with a black and gold dock built around a large Triforce motif and Joy-Con 2 controllers with small Link and Zelda sprites
- Zelda 40th Anniversary Pro Controller: a matching Triforce-themed controller
- Zelda 40th Anniversary carrying case
Two things to know. The console does not include the game, which is a separate purchase. And the special edition items are limited, available while supplies last, so expect competition. Nintendo hadn’t announced a price for the console when this was announced, so check your local retailer or the Nintendo Store for pricing and availability in your region.
Price and editions
- Digital: $59.99
- Physical: $69.99, with a limited-time textured foil cover
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 only. It isn’t coming to the original Switch.
- Download size: an estimated 27GB, which may change before launch
Prices are the US figures announced by Nintendo. Local prices may differ.
Zelda Notes and other extras
- Zelda Notes: a service in the Nintendo Switch App that adds adventure tracking, a virtual ocarina and a daily quiz with more than 2,000 questions
- Amiibo: Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo unlock special in-game masks, but they’re not due until 2027
Want to replay the original first?
The original Ocarina of Time is still available through the Nintendo 64 library on Nintendo Switch Online, if you want to refresh your memory or compare it to the remake once it’s out.
What I’ll be watching for
- How well humming songs into the microphone works in a normal living room
- Whether the more realistic art style keeps the charm of the original
- Who the voice cast turns out to be
- How the new controls and camera feel compared to the 1998 game
Frequently asked questions
When does the Ocarina of Time remake come out?
November 5, 2026, worldwide, on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Is the Ocarina of Time remake coming to the original Nintendo Switch?
No. It’s a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
How much does the Ocarina of Time remake cost?
In the US, it’s $59.99 digital and $69.99 physical.
When does the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 launch?
October 29, 2026, a week before the game. The Pro Controller and carrying case launch the same day, and the console doesn’t include the game.
Can you play the ocarina songs by humming?
Yes. You can play songs with the buttons, or hum them into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone and Link will perform them.
Does the remake have voice acting?
Yes, the cutscenes are fully voiced and dialogue is expanded. Nintendo hasn’t yet announced the cast.
Pre-order and join the countdown
What’s your favorite memory from the original Ocarina of Time? Tell me in the YouTube comments. I’ll be covering the Zelda accessories and the game as they land.
Watch the Short on YouTube | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Amazon
This post reflects Nintendo’s announcements and press coverage as of October 23, 2026, and details may change. Disclosure: the Amazon link above is an affiliate link. If you buy through it, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support the channel.