Ocarina of Time on Switch 2: what changes from the N64 original
Nintendo's ground-up Ocarina of Time remake lands on Switch 2 on November 5. Here is how it compares with the 1998 original, from 60 fps to voiced cutscenes.
LandGadget Newsroom · · 3 min read
Quick verdictA full rebuild rather than a port: same story, modern controls and presentation, out November 5 on Switch 2 only.
Jump to the verdict ↓The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is less than three weeks away. Nintendo's official store page lists November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, and describes the game as "built from the ground up" for the console. A fresh Notebookcheck round-up pulls together what Nintendo has shown so far. Here is how the remake compares with the 1998 classic.
Original vs remake at a glance
| N64 original (1998) | Switch 2 remake (2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Frame rate | About 20 fps | 60 fps at 1080p in preview footage (Digital Foundry) |
| Jumping | Automatic at ledges | Dedicated jump button, plus a dash |
| Castle Town | Fixed camera views | Free 3D exploration; night can fall in town |
| Cutscenes | Text only | Major scenes fully voiced; Link stays silent |
| Music | Original N64 soundtrack | Symphonic orchestral score |
What else is new
Aiming the slingshot, bow and other tools can now use motion controls, and the camera has been reworked. An overview trailer on October 14 revealed the Hall of Fallen Foes, a museum-like room of defeated enemies where you can replay boss fights and chase your best time. You can hum or play ocarina tunes into the Switch 2 microphone, and the Zelda Notes service in the Nintendo Switch app adds daily stats, a photo-based location challenge and a virtual ocarina on your phone. Any Zelda amiibo unlocks in-game extras; new Young Link and Young Zelda figures arriving in 2027 give retro-style masks.
Not everything is modernised. Producer Eiji Aonuma says loading screens between some areas were kept on purpose to preserve the original's feel. Nintendo has not named the voice cast or confirmed docked resolution.
+ Pros
- Rebuilt visuals, 60 fps in preview footage
- Voiced cutscenes and expanded dialogue
- Modern controls, jump button and motion aiming
- Boss rematches in the Hall of Fallen Foes
− Cons
- Switch 2 only, no version for the original Switch
- Some loading screens remain by design
- About 27 GB estimated download
Price and languages
Notebookcheck lists $59.99 digital and $69.99 for the physical edition. A Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 console arrives a week earlier, on October 29, with the game sold separately. Nintendo's page lists 16 languages, including Polish and Russian; Ukrainian is not among them. Buying the digital version? It is an estimated 27 GB, so see our microSD Express explainer for which memory cards Switch 2 accepts.
Our verdict
Worth a look for newcomers and fans, if you own a Switch 2
This is the most substantial rework of Ocarina of Time so far, aimed at making a 1998 game feel natural with modern controls. Wait for reviews to judge how well it plays, but the feature list is solid. Planning to play on a big screen? See our gaming monitor guide, and read why Nintendo is not giving up on physical games.
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