Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake on Switch 2: Price, Changes and Review Scores

By Eoin Villarin, 2026-11-09

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is out on Nintendo Switch 2 with a 96 on Metacritic. Release date, price, every major change, review scores, who made it and what it teaches about redesigning a website.

"The legend of zelda ocarina of time remake" is trending on Google, and for good reason. Nintendo's full remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 classic launched on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026, and it is now the highest-rated new game of the year, with a Metacritic score of 96. Here is everything you need to know: the release date and price, what changed from the original, the review scores, who made it, and why a great remake is a useful lesson for anyone thinking about redesigning a website.

When did the Ocarina of Time remake come out?

The remake was released on November 5, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo first announced it in a Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026, then showed gameplay and confirmed the November 5 date in The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on September 8, 2026. It is the series' main 40th anniversary project.

How much does the Ocarina of Time remake cost?

In the US, the digital version is $59.99 on the Nintendo eShop. Several outlets report the physical edition at $69.99, and the first print run of the physical game comes with a textured foil cover. Prices differ by country and retailer, so check the Nintendo Store or your local shop before you buy. The game is a Switch 2 exclusive and does not run on the original Nintendo Switch.

What changed in the Ocarina of Time remake?

The team kept the original's story, dungeons, pacing and structure, and rebuilt the visuals, music and controls around them. The biggest changes:

• New controls. Link can now run and swim faster, jumping is on a button instead of happening automatically at ledges, the camera is fully controllable, and you can aim with motion controls.
• Faster item switching. Items can be scrolled through, as in Breath of the Wild, instead of reassigning them in a menu.
• Full voice acting. Every cutscene is now fully voiced.
• A real Hyrule Castle Town. The town is a fully explorable 3D area instead of the original's fixed-camera backdrop.
• A living world. Time now passes continuously everywhere, including inside towns and buildings.
• Play the ocarina for real. Songs are played through the Switch 2 microphone, so you can hum or play a real ocarina.
• Threads of Time. A new log summarizes the story so far and your current objective.
• Hall of Defeated Foes. A new area with statues and enemy info where you can rematch bosses.
• Zelda Notes. The Nintendo Switch App adds an interactive map, progress tracking, ocarina practice and quizzes.

Some loading screens were kept on purpose to preserve the original feel. Master Quest, the harder remixed version included on GameCube and Nintendo 3DS, is not part of the remake.

Ocarina of Time remake review scores

Critics have been close to unanimous. At launch the remake held 96 on Metacritic, the highest score of any new game released in 2026, and 100% of critics recommended it on OpenCritic. For comparison, the 1998 Nintendo 64 original still holds 99 on Metacritic, one of the highest scores ever recorded.

Not everything was praised before launch. When the first trailers appeared, the new art style split fans. Some compared the realistic look to fan-made Unreal Engine remakes, and Polygon praised the detailed environments but called some character models creepy. The final reviews suggest most players will come around once they play it.

Who made the Ocarina of Time remake?

Unlike the 2011 Nintendo 3DS version, which was co-developed by Grezzo, the remake was built inside Nintendo by Nintendo EPD, the team behind Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, with support from studios including Monolith Soft. HokWai Ng directed, his first time leading a Zelda game, and long-time series producer Eiji Aonuma produced alongside Hidemaro Fujibayashi. Art director Aya Shida has said the character designs drew on puppet shows, and the team put the most environmental detail into areas you can actually explore, so the game does not feel like an open world it was never meant to be.

Nintendo explained much of this in Ask the Developer Vol. 24, a multi-part interview published on November 2 and 3, just before launch.

Do amiibo work with the Ocarina of Time remake?

Yes. Every existing Zelda amiibo gives a limited number of free in-game items each day. Nintendo also plans new Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo in 2027 that unlock special masks in the game.

Is the Ocarina of Time remake worth it?

• If you never played the original: yes. This is the easiest way to play one of the most influential games ever made, with modern controls and visuals.
• If you loved the Nintendo 64 version: very likely. The dungeons and story are the same, but running, voiced scenes, the explorable Castle Town and the real ocarina change how it feels.
• If you want Master Quest: keep your 3DS or GameCube copy, because it is not included.
• If you only own the original Switch: you will need a Switch 2.

What a great remake teaches about redesigning a website

The reason this remake works is the same reason good website redesigns work: the team changed how it looks and feels without breaking what people already loved. I see businesses do the opposite all the time, throwing away pages that bring in customers just to get a new look. If you are planning a redesign, follow the remake's playbook:

1. Keep the structure that works. Nintendo kept the dungeons and pacing. On a website, keep the pages, URLs and content that already rank and convert, and set up 301 redirects for anything that moves. A free website audit shows which pages you cannot afford to lose.
2. Modernize the controls. Running, button jumps and a free camera are the game's version of better navigation, faster pages and a mobile-first layout. My web design work starts there.
3. Add quality-of-life features people now expect. The Threads of Time log and item scrolling are small additions that remove friction, just like clear calls to action, simple forms and fast checkouts.
4. Keep a little of the original feel. Nintendo kept some loading screens on purpose. Your brand voice, colors and the things loyal customers recognize should survive the redesign too.
5. Expect some early pushback, then measure. The art style divided fans before launch, then reviews landed at 96. Judge a redesign on real numbers like calls, forms and sales after launch, not first reactions. My SEO services and website maintenance plans track that for you.

For more gaming news, read about Shawn Layden on why the PS6 needs a lower price, not more power and the PS5 Pro shortage ahead of GTA 6.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Ocarina of Time remake come out?

It is already out. The remake was released on November 5, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2.

Is the Ocarina of Time remake on the original Nintendo Switch?

No. It is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive and does not run on the original Switch.

How much is the Ocarina of Time remake?

The US digital version is $59.99. Several outlets report the physical edition at $69.99. Prices vary by country and retailer.

What is the Ocarina of Time remake Metacritic score?

It launched with a Metacritic score of 96, the highest of any new game released in 2026. The 1998 original holds 99.

Does the Ocarina of Time remake include Master Quest?

No. Unlike the GameCube and Nintendo 3DS releases, the Switch 2 remake does not include Master Quest.

Who developed the Ocarina of Time remake?

Nintendo EPD, the in-house team behind Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, directed by HokWai Ng and produced by Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi.

Sources

• Nintendo: Ask the Developer Vol. 24, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Part 1
• Wikipedia: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026 video game)
• Video Games Chronicle: Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake officially announced for Nintendo Switch 2
• Notebookcheck: Nintendo confirms its in-house Zelda team built the Ocarina of Time remake
• Notebookcheck: Famitsu gives the Ocarina of Time remake 37/40
• Inven Global: Ocarina of Time hits 96 on Metacritic, highest score of 2026
• Nintendo Everything: Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake price on Switch 2