Updated November 3, 2026. It is official: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been fully remade for Nintendo Switch 2 and launches on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Unlike earlier speculation, this is a confirmed Nintendo release, with modern visuals, voiced cutscenes, improved movement and camera controls, and an orchestral soundtrack. But you can also still play the original Nintendo 64 version through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Here’s how the versions compare, what each costs, and which one makes sense for you.
Image disclosure: The featured image is original AI-generated editorial artwork, not an official Nintendo screenshot or promotional image. For authentic gameplay visuals, use Nintendo’s official game page.
Ocarina of Time remake: release date, platforms and price
- Release date: November 5, 2026 (confirmed by Nintendo).
- Platform: Nintendo Switch 2 only for the new remake; the original Nintendo Switch is not listed as a supported platform for this version.
- Publisher: Nintendo.
- Official U.S. list price: US$59.99.
- Official Canadian list price: CA$84.99.
- Estimated download size: 27 GB, subject to change.
- Players: one player on one console, with TV, tabletop and handheld modes supported.
- Where to check availability: the U.S. Nintendo Store or Nintendo Canada Store.
Prices above are Nintendo’s listed prices as checked November 3, 2026; they do not include applicable sales tax and may change. The remake was announced in a June Nintendo Direct, with its November release date and fuller details confirmed at the September 8 Zelda 40th Anniversary presentation.
What’s actually new in the 2026 remake?
1. Rebuilt graphics and more detailed environments
Nintendo describes the new game as a remake built from the ground up for Switch 2, not just the original Nintendo 64 game running at a higher resolution. Textures, environments, character presentation and lighting have been extensively reworked. In its November developer interviews, the team emphasized updating the presentation while preserving the original adventure’s structure and atmosphere. The aim is not to transform Ocarina of Time into a new Breath of the Wild-style open-world game.
2. Improved movement and camera controls
Nintendo has confirmed additional commands for actions such as jumping and running, smoother movement, and improved camera control using the right stick. These changes are potentially important for newcomers who find the 1998 game’s control scheme difficult to learn. However, judgments about how the controls actually feel should wait until people can play the finished release.
3. Fully voiced cutscenes and expanded dialogue
The remake includes voiced cutscenes and expanded character dialogue, making Hyrule’s characters more expressive. Nintendo’s development team says it took special care to preserve the feel of iconic characters rather than discarding the original game’s personality.
4. Orchestral soundtrack and richer ambient audio
The updated soundtrack uses new orchestral arrangements while referencing the original Nintendo 64 musical identity. In a developer interview published November 3, the music team said the game contains more than 150 pieces of background music, including music for added cutscenes. The remake also supports 5.1-channel surround sound on compatible setups.
5. Ocarina interaction and ZELDA NOTES
Nintendo’s newly published developer interview describes an optional way to interact with the ocarina using the Switch 2’s built-in microphone: players can hum or play a real ocarina and have the game recognize notes. The team also mentions ZELDA NOTES, a companion feature in the Nintendo Switch App that offers additional ways to engage with the adventure, including an ocarina-playing function. ZELDA NOTES requires a compatible smart device, Nintendo Account and persistent internet connection. Check the app’s availability and requirements for your region.
Read Nintendo’s Ask the Developer, Part 2 and Part 4 for the developer’s explanations of these changes.
2026 remake vs. Nintendo Switch Online vs. Ocarina of Time 3D
| Version | Where you can play | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 remake | Nintendo Switch 2 | Rebuilt graphics, voiced cutscenes, modern controls and soundtrack; sold as a separate game. |
| Nintendo 64 classic | Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch 2 with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack | The 1998-era classic through Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics, with membership-based access. |
| Ocarina of Time 3D (2011) | Nintendo 3DS family | An earlier handheld adaptation with its own upgraded interface and stereoscopic 3D presentation. |
| Original 1998 Nintendo 64 game | Compatible original Nintendo 64 hardware | The original cartridge experience; availability depends on used copies and working hardware. |
The most important distinction: paying for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack does not automatically mean you own the new 2026 Switch 2 remake. They are separate ways to play different versions of the game. The original N64 title appears in Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics catalog.
How to play the original Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch
If you have a regular Nintendo Switch and simply want to experience Ocarina of Time, the original Nintendo 64 version remains an official option:
- Step 1: Sign in to your Nintendo Account on your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2.
- Step 2: Check that you have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. The basic Nintendo Switch Online tier alone does not include the Nintendo 64 library.
- Step 3: Find and download the Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics app from Nintendo’s eShop.
- Step 4: Open the app and select The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time from the included games.
- Step 5: Use the app’s supported suspend/save features as you play.
For pricing, Nintendo lists the U.S. Individual Expansion Pack membership at US$49.99 per year as of this writing. It includes access to other compatible classic games while your membership remains active. Membership pricing and benefits vary by region, so Canadian readers should check Nintendo Canada’s plan comparison before subscribing.
Do you need Nintendo Switch Online to play the new remake?
No subscription is required just to play the Switch 2 remake’s single-player story. The new game is sold separately as Nintendo Switch 2 software. Nintendo Switch Online may be needed for certain optional online services, such as Save Data Cloud, and Nintendo Account or internet requirements can apply to connected companion features. Do not confuse those optional features with the separate Expansion Pack membership needed to access Nintendo 64 classics.
Can you play the new remake on an original Nintendo Switch?
No. Nintendo identifies the November 5, 2026 remake as exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2. If you own an original Switch, you can instead use the original Nintendo 64 version through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. If you own a Nintendo 3DS with a legitimate copy of Ocarina of Time 3D, that remains another way to play.
Nintendo stopped new purchases through the Nintendo 3DS eShop on March 27, 2023, so the old digital storefront is not a current way to buy Ocarina of Time 3D. See Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time 3D listing.
Which version should you choose?
- If you already own a Nintendo Switch 2 and want modern graphics: The 2026 remake is the logical choice, especially if voiced scenes, improved controls and revised audio appeal to you.
- If you own only a regular Switch: The Nintendo 64 version via the Expansion Pack is the accessible official route without buying a new console.
- If you want to experience the historical original: Start with Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics to see the original game design before comparing it with the remake.
- If you already own Ocarina of Time 3D: You may prefer your existing 3DS copy rather than paying for new hardware or another version.
- If price is your main concern: Compare what you already own. A US$49.99 annual membership provides access to a broader classics library, but membership is recurring and does not grant ownership of the remake.
Since the remake has not been released as of November 3, independent reviews, performance measurements and day-one technical reports cannot yet be treated as established facts. Consider waiting for launch coverage if you are uncertain about a preorder.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ocarina of Time remake real, or still a rumor?
It is real and officially announced by Nintendo. The Switch 2 remake releases November 5, 2026. The Nintendo Store already has a product listing.
How much does the new Ocarina of Time cost in Canada?
Nintendo Canada currently lists the standard game at CA$84.99 before applicable taxes. U.S. pricing is US$59.99. Prices can change, so check the store for final checkout totals.
Is the remake an update to the 3DS version?
No. The 2026 release is a new Switch 2 remake. The 2011 Nintendo 3DS game remains a separate adaptation.
Can you download the remake with Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?
No. The Expansion Pack includes the Nintendo 64 classic, not automatic ownership of the new 2026 game. The remake is a separate purchase.
Does the game support amiibo?
Yes. Nintendo lists support for The Legend of Zelda series amiibo, with extra content associated with compatible figures. The new Young Link and Young Zelda figures announced for 2027 are not necessary to play the main story.
Will the 2026 remake change the original story?
Nintendo has confirmed expanded dialogue and cutscenes and says its goal is to retain the heart of the original adventure. The full extent of story differences should not be asserted until players can compare the final release.
Bottom line: is the 2026 remake worth buying?
If you own a Nintendo Switch 2 and missed the original Ocarina of Time—or want to revisit it with modern visuals and controls—the November 5 remake is a compelling option on paper. The US$59.99 / CA$84.99 list price makes it worth comparing with the Nintendo 64 version already available through the Expansion Pack, especially if you mainly value the classic gameplay rather than the presentation upgrades.
For a confirmed answer on availability and features, use Nintendo’s official pages rather than old rumor articles. And since the game releases in two days, early reviews and real-world performance reports may offer useful evidence before you buy.
Official Nintendo sources
- Nintendo: Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct announcement (September 8, 2026)
- Nintendo U.S.: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2) product listing
- Nintendo Canada: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2) product listing
- Nintendo: Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics game library
- Nintendo: Ask the Developer — Part 2
- Nintendo: Ask the Developer — Part 4 (November 3, 2026)
