Nintendo and Monolith Soft Rebuilding Ocarina of Time for Switch 2

Nintendo is rebuilding The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for its next-generation hardware, shifting the 1998 classic from its original technical constraints into a fully realized modern experience. The project, developed for the Nintendo Switch 2, involves a collaboration between Nintendo EPD and Monolith Soft, the studio recognized for its work on the Xenoblade Chronicles series and the expansive overworlds of recent Zelda titles.

One of the most significant structural changes in the remake is the complete redesign of Hyrule Castle Town. While the Nintendo 64 original relied on pre-rendered static backgrounds to depict the bustling city, the Switch 2 version replaces these with a fully explorable 3D space. This transition allows for a seamless navigation of the urban center, aligning the city’s scale and depth with the rest of the game’s open environments.

A conceptual 3D rendering of a medieval town market square. — Hyrule Castle Town has been rebuilt as a seamless 3D environment, removing the original's static backgrounds.

Technical Enhancements and Voice Acting

The move to newer hardware facilitates several firsts for the Ocarina of Time entry. Reports indicate that the game will feature full voice acting for characters during cinematic cutscenes, marking a departure from the text-heavy delivery of the original. This update brings the title’s storytelling presentation in line with modern standards established in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

The development assistance from Monolith Soft suggests a focus on the technical fidelity of the overworld. As Nintendo prepares for its next console cycle, the hardware’s increased power is being utilized to eliminate the technical “smoke and mirrors” used in the late 1990s, such as the fixed camera angles in interior and town settings.

A conceptual design of a modern gaming controller with anniversary-themed colors. — Nintendo is planning a 40th Anniversary edition of its next-generation hardware to launch alongside the remake.

Hardware Launch and Pricing

Ahead of the game’s release, Nintendo is scheduled to launch a Zelda 40th Anniversary edition of the Switch 2 console on October 29, 2026.

The timing of Nintendo’s flagship remake places it in a competitive late-year window. Grand Theft Auto VI is currently scheduled for November 19, 2026. This timeframe provides Nintendo an opportunity to establish its next-generation software library near the arrival of Rockstar’s blockbuster title.