Nintendo Officially Announces Ocarina of Time Remake for Switch 2
Nintendo has announced a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for release by the end of 2026. The announcement, made during a recent Nintendo Direct presentation, has led to the discontinuation of a long-running fan project to recreate the game in Unreal Engine.
Official Announcement and Details
Announcement Context
Nintendo announced the Ocarina of Time remake during a Direct presentation that also highlighted other upcoming titles for the Switch 2. The presentation featured two major exclusives for 2026, both remakes of Nintendo 64 games: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Star Fox.
Release Information
- The Ocarina of Time remake is scheduled for release by the end of 2026.
- A specific release date, preorder information, and significant gameplay footage have not been provided.
- Further details are expected in a future Direct presentation.
- One source reported that the Star Fox remake is set to launch later this month.
Trailer Content
The trailer for the Ocarina of Time remake featured:
- A tapestry retelling of the game's story.
- A few seconds of footage appearing to show gameplay, depicting the character Young Link sleeping with the Triforce appearing on his hand.
- A 3D art style.
Background
The original The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was released in 1998. It has been previously ported to the GameCube, Nintendo 3DS (as Ocarina of Time 3D in 2011), Wii Virtual Console, and Nintendo Switch Online. This remake is described by one source as the most significant evolution of the game since its original release.
Fan Project Discontinuation
Developer Response
Following the official announcement, fan developer CryZENx announced the discontinuation of a decade-long project to recreate The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in Unreal Engine. CryZENx had been working on the project since at least 2016, posting progress updates on YouTube.
"It's better to just stop the project for now or I would been dissapeared... because of Nintendo ninjas."
— CryZENx, on Patreon
Reasons for Cessation
- The developer cited concern that increased attention on the fan project after Nintendo's official announcement could lead to legal action.
- The project had not received a takedown notice from Nintendo prior to its cessation.
- A playable demo of the fan project existed and had not been removed by Nintendo.
Project History and Community
- CryZENx did not charge directly for the project but accepted donations via Patreon with tiers ranging from $4 to $127 per month, offering varying levels of access and perks.
- The developer plans to release a final video showcasing full gameplay of Chapter 2/3.
- CryZENx is now polling Patreon supporters about which retro game to recreate in Unreal Engine next, with options including Zelda: Twilight Princess, Minish Cap, Donkey Kong 64, and Metroid Prime Hunters.
Market Context
The announcements come as the Switch 2 enters its second holiday season. Some sources report that Nintendo has faced criticism regarding a perceived lack of major new games for the Switch 2, with some commentators suggesting a remake of an older title may not address those concerns.