By Jon Scarr
Nintendo has detailed its 40th anniversary plans for The Legend of Zelda during The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, led by the full reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2. What Nintendo first teased back in June is now confirmed as a full remake launching November 5, 2026, with rebuilt visuals, new controls, voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, and several gameplay changes.
The anniversary celebration will continue through 2027. Nintendo also announced a Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2, new amiibo, physical ocarinas, a worldwide concert tour, Nintendo Museum activities, LEGO and Hasbro products, and the official title of the live-action Zelda movie.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Is a Full Remake Launching November 5
Nintendo first announced The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 during its June 2026 Direct, but at the time it stopped short of saying exactly what kind of return this would be. The 40th Anniversary Direct answered that question. Nintendo is rebuilding the 1998 Nintendo 64 game as a full remake and will release it on November 5.
Eiji Aonuma described the remake as a faithful interpretation of Ocarina of Time built with modern technology. The team completely rebuilt the visuals, but the goal wasn't simply to make everything look realistic. Nintendo wanted the world to feel new while still retaining the nostalgic character of the original game.
Characters and environments have been redone, and in-game cutscenes are now fully voiced. Nintendo has also expanded the dialogue, refreshed the sound effects, and added symphonic orchestral music. The first physical print run will come in special textured foil packaging while supplies last.
Nintendo also added the remake's title-screen theme to Nintendo Music following the Direct.
Modern Controls Change How Ocarina of Time Plays
The gameplay demonstration made it clear that Nintendo isn't treating Ocarina of Time as a visual makeover alone.
Link can now jump whenever you press the jump button rather than automatically jumping when he reaches an edge. Swimming is faster, and Link can dive underwater. Holding the A button lets him roll into a dash for quicker travel across larger areas.
The camera is freely controllable as well. That's a major change from parts of the Nintendo 64 version, especially locations such as Hyrule Castle Town where the original used fixed camera angles. Nintendo has also added more environmental detail to areas that previously served mainly as backdrops.
Item handling has been modernized too. You can switch between items with a single button, and weapons such as the slingshot support motion aiming. Load times are faster, the remake runs smoother, and actions feel snappier than they did on Nintendo 64.
One thing Nintendo deliberately didn't remove is every loading transition. Aonuma explained that loading screens remain between certain areas because the team considered them part of the original game's character.
The day and night system has changed as well. Time now continues moving even when Link is inside Hyrule Castle Town rather than stopping there as it did in the original.
Nintendo also introduced Threads of Time, a new feature that tracks your progress through the story and shows your next objective. A large tapestry gradually fills in as your adventure continues.
Nintendo Switch 2 Can Listen to You Play the Ocarina
One of the more unusual additions uses the Nintendo Switch 2 microphone.
When Link learns an Ocarina melody, you can hum the tune or play it on a real instrument near the system. The game recognizes the melody and has Link perform it in Ocarina of Time. Nintendo demonstrated the feature during the Direct using a physical ocarina.
Nintendo is also releasing two real ocarinas later in 2026. One is a playable version similar to the instrument shown during the presentation. HORI is producing an electronic version that can play individual notes or complete songs using its buttons.
ZELDA NOTES Adds New Features for Ocarina of Time
ZELDA NOTES will support Ocarina of Time through the Nintendo Switch App, joining its existing support for the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Today's Record creates a chronological record of what you accomplished during a play session. Screenshots are captured automatically, and the app can track statistics such as how many enemies you defeated that day.
Gossip Quest uses an image on your smart device as a clue to a matching location in Ocarina of Time. Finding those locations earns points that can be exchanged for Ocarina music scores.
Those scores work with Play Ocarina, which lets you play a virtual ocarina on your smart-device screen. You can follow a guide, have a song play automatically, or create your own music scores. Custom scores can also be turned into QR codes and shared online.
The Ocarina of Time Quiz contains more than 2,000 questions, including image-based questions. You normally get one attempt each day, although in-game rupees can be transferred and spent to take additional quizzes.
Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 Arrives October 29
A Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 is joining the anniversary lineup on October 29.
The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition features a Triforce-themed design. Nintendo is also releasing a matching Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and a carrying case with a screen protector.
A version of the anniversary Pro Controller comes with a display stand. In Canada, Nintendo says the display-stand version will be available only through Nintendo Store. In the U.S., it will be available through Nintendo Store, Nintendo NEW YORK, and Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO.
The console was one of the final announcements of the Direct, alongside the matching controller and carrying case.
Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo Are Coming in 2027
Nintendo is expanding its Zelda amiibo lineup with new Young Link and Young Zelda figures in 2027.
Both amiibo work with Ocarina of Time and unlock special in-game masks. Nintendo says the masks evoke a retro graphical style in the game.
The previously announced Mineru's Construct amiibo for Tears of the Kingdom also launches September 17.
Zelda 40th Anniversary Concerts Begin in 2027
Koji Kondo appeared during the Direct to look back at how Zelda's music has evolved since the original Famicom game.
The presentation's opening arrangement was created specifically for the 40th anniversary and was built around wisdom, power, and courage, the three virtues represented by the Triforce.
Nintendo will take that celebration on the road with The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series beginning in 2027.
The tour starts in Tokyo in January before a North American leg begins in Chicago in February. A European tour starts in London in April, followed by an Australian tour beginning in Melbourne in May. Nintendo says concerts are planned around the world, with more locations still to come.
Zelda Movie Is Officially Titled The Legend of Zelda
Shigeru Miyamoto also provided an update on Nintendo's live-action Zelda movie.
The film's official title is simply The Legend of Zelda. Its worldwide theatrical release remains set for April 30, 2027.
Nintendo had already announced the April 30, 2027 release date, but the Direct confirmed the film's official title and offered more insight into its direction. Miyamoto said the lack of a subtitle is intentional and that viewers will understand the reason once they see the movie.
He described The Legend of Zelda as an original film based on the stories, ideas, and concepts the franchise has built across its 40-year history. Nintendo's game-development team and Miyamoto are both involved in the production. The film is coming from Nintendo, Arad Productions Inc., and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
Nintendo also teased the Triforce during the presentation, but Miyamoto wouldn't say what role it will play in the movie yet.
Nintendo Museum and Nintendo Today! Join the Anniversary
Starting September 9, tickets for the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto will switch to a Zelda 40th Anniversary design. A special history board and new photo opportunities arrive November 5, including one themed around the Master Sword.
The museum's Super Family Restaurant is also scheduled to open in fall 2026. Link will be among the Nintendo characters featured inside. Nintendo says the anniversary museum activities will continue for one year.
Nintendo Today! is getting Zelda content as well. Daily Zelda digital cards begin September 9, and the app's calendar animations will rotate through games from across the series. Future Zelda movie news will also appear in the app during the anniversary, with more collaborations planned.
LEGO Link & Epona and Hasbro Master Sword Arrive in 2027
LEGO is adding another Ocarina of Time set to its Zelda lineup.
LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Link & Epona is a 1,750-piece display set planned for spring 2027. It follows LEGO's earlier Ocarina of Time Final Battle set but focuses on Link and Epona instead.
Hasbro is expanding its Zelda lineup with The Legend of Zelda Electronic Master Sword, also scheduled for spring 2027. The 27-inch electronic sword includes more than 15 sounds triggered through touch and motion.
Nintendo is also using the 40th anniversary to point fans back toward Zelda games already available on its current systems. That includes the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, along with Echoes of Wisdom on Nintendo Switch.Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can also revisit older Zelda games through Nintendo Classics. Nintendo Music adds another way to look back at the series, with music from across the franchise available through the service.
Ocarina of Time launches November 5. After June's brief reveal, Nintendo has now shown a remake that changes how the Nintendo 64 classic looks and plays while deliberately keeping parts of the original experience intact.
Jon Scarr
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Omgomgomg I can’t wait! I’m glad some of the items will only come out in 2027 hahah
ReplyDeleteOcarina of Time honestly looks, so far, like a successful tribute to the original. And I love the addition of the mic features with the ocarina device. This looks like a big W for Nintendo - and for us!