Ethan Crossfield 
If you’ve been waiting for a true re-make of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the wait is over: Nintendo has confirmed a Nintendo Switch 2 remake coming in 2026. Here’s what Nintendo showed, how this fits into Ocarina of Time’s remake history, and what you can do right now if you just want to play.
What’s been confirmed for Switch 2 (and what the trailer actually shows)
After years of rumors, Nintendo has officially announced that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is being remade for Nintendo Switch 2, with a 2026 release window. Nintendo also indicated the announcement came alongside a current Direct, but the key takeaway for players is simple: this is a full remake, not just another re-release.
The new trailer is minimal. It opens with voiceover narration introducing the Kokiri, the children among whom Link lives at the start of the game. The trailer highlights a detail about fairies: each child has one, while a particular boy does not. From there, the footage shifts to a young Link sleeping, with a Triforce symbol glowing on his hand. A modern Ocarina of Time logo then appears on screen. Beyond that imagery, Nintendo didn’t reveal much else in the brief look—so readers should treat the confirmed facts as release timing and platform, with gameplay and feature details still unknown.
A remake history that explains the hype
Ocarina of Time originally launched in 1998 on Nintendo 64, where it became both a critical and commercial success. It’s frequently cited among the best-reviewed games of all time, which helps explain why a new remake has been such a persistent topic for years.
Importantly, this won’t be the first time Nintendo has returned to the game. Before today’s Switch 2 remake announcement, Ocarina of Time had already been re-released multiple times across Nintendo platforms.
Nintendo’s earlier GameCube-era approach included reservation discs ahead of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker’s 2002 release. Those discs bundled an Ocarina of Time port and a not-yet-released-in-North-America version of Master Quest, which rearranged puzzles. There was also The Legend of Zelda: Collector’s Edition for GameCube, compiling multiple Zelda titles (including Ocarina of Time) and including a demo for Wind Waker.
Later, Ocarina of Time arrived on Wii and Wii U via Virtual Console. It’s also currently available on Switch and Switch 2 through the Nintendo Online subscription service. Still, the Switch 2 project matters because the source indicates this will be only the second full remake in the game’s history.
What comes next for players—and who should wait
According to the information provided, the Switch 2 remake is the second full remake overall. The first was in 2011, when Ocarina of Time was rebuilt for Nintendo 3DS. That 3DS version was handled by Grezzo and included updated visuals, motion controls, and stereoscopic 3D visuals, and it also included Master Quest.
For today’s players, the practical question is whether to wait or jump in now. If you simply want to experience Ocarina of Time without waiting for 2026, the game is already available on Switch and Switch 2 as part of Nintendo Online. On the other hand, if you specifically want the next step beyond prior ports and the earlier 3DS remake, then Switch 2 is where your attention should be.
Nintendo hasn’t shared more than the trailer’s early setup so far, and the announcement doesn’t add extra specifics beyond the 2026 launch window. That means the best “next step” is to keep an eye out for future updates closer to release.
What players should know
- Nintendo has confirmed a full Ocarina of Time remake for Nintendo Switch 2, launching in 2026.
- The trailer shown so far is brief and focuses on the Kokiri setup, Link’s sleeping scene, and a Triforce glow—details beyond that weren’t provided.
- If you want to play now, Ocarina of Time is available on Switch and Switch 2 through Nintendo Online.
- This will be the second full remake in the franchise’s timeline; the first was the 2011 3DS remake built by Grezzo with motion controls and stereoscopic 3D.
Expert View
Nintendo’s confirmation lines up with the game’s long legacy: a landmark 1998 release that’s been repeatedly reintroduced, yet still viewed as remake-worthy. The downside is that the Switch 2 trailer is intentionally light on new information, so expectations should stay grounded until Nintendo shares more about what the remake changes beyond the platform shift. If you’ve never played, Nintendo Online gives an immediate path; if you’re chasing the next “generation” of Ocarina of Time, waiting for 2026 on Switch 2 is the most direct route.
