Nintendo has officially announced a new version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, with a 2026 release window attached. The reveal came in the form of a short cinematic announcement trailer during a recent Nintendo presentation.
The trailer was brief and skipped gameplay entirely. Instead, viewers got a dramatic, teaser-style sequence ending with a fresh look at Link, sporting a noticeably more detailed character model than anything seen in past versions.
Nintendo hasn’t labeled the project a “remake,” “remaster,” or “reimagining.” It is being presented simply as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. No subtitle, no tagline, no clarifying word about scope.
The platform wasn’t spelled out in the brief either, though a Switch 2 release is the obvious assumption given Nintendo’s current hardware focus.
Why this is a big deal
Ocarina of Time launched on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 as the first 3D Zelda. It is routinely listed among the greatest games ever made and holds a 99 on Metacritic. It defined Z-targeting, cinematic dungeon design, and a generation of 3D action-adventure games.
It has been re-released multiple times, including Virtual Console versions and the 2011 Ocarina of Time 3D on Nintendo 3DS, developed by Grezzo. But a full modern home-console overhaul would be a first.
A revival also signals Nintendo may be willing to revisit the older, dungeon-driven 3D Zelda formula alongside the open-air style of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
The big open question is what kind of project this actually is. A faithful 1:1 remake in the style of Link’s Awakening on Switch? A full ground-up reimagining like Final Fantasy VII Remake? Something closer to Resident Evil 4 Remake or Metroid Prime Remastered?
Given how short the teaser was, a dedicated Zelda-focused Direct later in the year would not be a surprise. Nintendo often staggers its marketing this way, confirming a project first and saving the gameplay deep dive for a standalone showcase.
