Yes. Nintendo re-released The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as a Switch 2 exclusive on Nov. 5, 2026, for $59.99 in the US. The game is a “full remake,” not a simple re-release of the older N64 game; the experience stays the same at a high level but offers new visuals, audio, and controls, plus tweaks to several puzzles and level designs.
This guide covers how to acquire it, what’s new, how it performs, and its shortcomings. Follow us on Twitter for more games, editions, and availability information. Check out our Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda Games: A Complete Guide for additional titles.
Table of Contents
Two ways to play, and only one is the remake.
| How you get it | Buy the game | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack |
| Console | Switch 2 only | Depends on the service and your regional catalogue |
| Presentation | Rebuilt visuals, orchestral score, voiced cutscenes | Original N64 presentation |
| Controls | Jump button, right-stick camera, gyro aiming | Original N64 scheme |
The N64 original is part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack library, but check the catalog for your region to be sure what you’re getting. It preserves the original controls, including the Water Temple’s tedium.
How to get the Switch 2 version
Step 1: Confirm that you have a Switch 2. This remake will not work on a Switch (original).
Step 2: Purchase it from the Nintendo eShop or Nintendo’s store page. The price in the US is $59.99, but visit your store’s website for the price in your country. Get a physical copy through a local store, as physical copies are region-specific.
Step 3: Download it. 24.9 GB install; make space first.
Step 4: Before you launch, check to make sure you’ve installed any updates. We’ve reported a day-one update (version 1.1.1).
A Nintendo Account is required for the digital version. The published information does not indicate that the remake will require a Nintendo Switch Online membership; however, please double-check the store page for your region. It supports TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes, and motion controls are optional.
What actually changed from the N64 original
Revised visuals, a full-orchestra soundtrack, voiced cutscenes, new dialogue, and new lore text. But the changes you’ll really notice are in how it plays.
A real jump button. You have to press X to jump instead of jumping automatically at ledges.
Camera & aiming. Full right-stick control of camera. Gyro aiming- works with the bow, slingshot, hookshot, and mirror shield (can be disabled in options).
Boots and masks on the D-pad. Much of the Water Temple’s infamy came from endless pause-menu visits to change boots. D-pad toggles can mitigate that annoyance.
Item switching is faster. Items cycle left and right using a quick-swap system; there is a tab-based pause menu, and a single ZR item slot replaces the three item buttons from the N64.
Changed puzzles and places. We’ve changed some puzzles and places, so don’t depend on your memory or a guide from 1998. Most old guides are still relevant, but some areas may differ from what you remember.
Freshfeatures. Defeated monsters become statues in the Hall of Fallen Foes. Face off against opponents of legend in skill-based boss gauntlets for medals and leaderboards. You can also summon a Business Scrub to sell items from anywhere.
How does Ocarina of Time perform on Switch 2?
Frame rate. The game was initially 20 fps, though the 3DS port was only 30. Digital Foundry’s Tech Review found that the Switch 2 remake runs at 60 fps in both docked and handheld modes, with docked resolution varying from 1080p to 1440p and handheld from 720p to 1080p. Variable refresh rate is supported in docked mode, but the frame rate is so stable it doesn’t matter.
TV vs handheld. The target frame rate is identical on either method, and the resolution is the only difference. Handheld play is the more brutal of the two. The biggest criticism of the handheld version has been aliasing and reduced resolution.
Visual performance. Nintendo Life’s review notes a shimmering issue. It’s not a major concern for most people, but we thought you should know if you’re picky about picture quality.
Requires motion controls. They’re optional. You can play the game with or without gyro aiming.
Playing the ocarina with your voice
You can play it in three ways: with buttons, by humming, or by playing a real instrument into the Switch 2 microphone. Button input is still available if you stick to the basics or if you’re in a loud setting. The microphone input works best in a quiet room, and whether it works is admittedly hit or miss, so try buttons first, then the mic.
ZELDA NOTES: the free companion app
ZELDA NOTES is an additional feature in the Nintendo Switch App on a compatible smartphone or tablet. The service is free but requires a Nintendo Account and internet connectivity, and it can’t be used directly on Switch 2. This app features a map, Gossip Quests, Hall of Fallen Foes, Today’s Record, My Play Data, Global Play Data, Photo Studio, Threads of Time, amiibo, Play Ocarina, and a quiz with over 2,000 questions.
Gossip Quests give you a photograph and require you to find it in-game. That’s a spoiler-filtered hint system.
amiibo support
Amiibo from the current Zelda games already unlock some extras. Nintendo revealed a Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo in 2027 to unlock retro masks.
Ocarina of Time Switch 2: missing features and limitations
- No Master Quest. It’s not in the released version and doesn’t appear after the credits. There has been no official news about it coming later, so buy based on what is on offer now.
- One save file. General: The negative: reviewers have complained about one save file. Warning about overwriting a complete run.
- No DifficultyMode. Certain reviewers said the difficulty was too low. Modern controls and boot toggles reduce friction, so veterans might find the main adventure less difficult than they think. Hall of Fallen Foes timed boss rematches constitute the significant challenge layer.
- A multiplayer mode isn’t available. It’s a single-player experience.
- Visual quality on handheld. As mentioned above, you can see how resolution decreases, and there’s more shimmering.
Worth buying? It depends on who you are
If you’ve never played it: This is the most accessible starting point that the game has had. You don’t need to have played any other Zelda game beforehand, and the story is complete on its own.
If you played the N64 version: The room layout is identical, but since some puzzles have changed and quality-of-life improvements have been made, you’ll be relying on your memory to guide you. If the water temple gave you a headache, the toggle boots might be enough to tempt you.
If you owned the 3DS version: The Switch 2 remake is a much more significant leap than going from 30fps to 60fps. It adds voiced cutscenes, an orchestral soundtrack, updated controls, and steadier performance, in addition to the resolution bump. If you’re satisfied with the 3DS version, it comes down to how much those upgrades are worth.
If you mostly play Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom: The new approach to game design. This isn’t an open world; it’s a highly structured, dungeon-centric experience. Both styles have their merits, and there’s no wrong way to enjoy Tears of the Kingdom. The quick menu and camera buttons will feel familiar. Missingwho: If you want the direct, unaltered 1998 experience, you already have it on Nintendo Switch Online. If your go-to is handheld and you notice shimmering, consider that.
Where to find help with the new puzzles
Track the remake separately, since some puzzles and locations changed.
- ZELDA NOTES is the first-party alternative. Gossip Quests provide hints, and not so much spoilers.
- Remake walkthroughs, such as Nintendo Life’s, also note differences from the N64 version.
- Expertise guides like OoT Guide help you keep track of the 36 Heart Items and 100 Gold Skulltulas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ocarina of Time a Switch 2 remake?
Yes. Nintendo built it from scratch for Switch 2 instead of porting the N64 game.
Is it compatible with the classic Switch?
Right now, the remake is only available for Switch 2.
Is it Master Quest?
Is it in the launch version? No, it’s not in the launch version, and no later release has been announced.
TooSlow!Is it running at 60 FPS?
Yes. Digital Foundry says both docked and portable versions have a 60 FPS lock.
What is the duration?
Reviewer estimates for the main story are around 25–30 hours. Take that as a rough benchmark. Getting through it all is several times that.
Will there be multiple save slots?
No. Can reviewers use the same save file? No. Reviewers have a single manual save file.
Switch 2 or 3DS – which runs better?
Switch 2 has 60 fps, voiced cutscenes, an orchestral score, and new controls. The 3DS version runs at 30 fps and is portable on older hardware.
Should I buy it if I have the N64 version?
If you want modern controls and those toggle switches in the boot and the new presentation, then yes. If you want the original, you probably don’t need it.
Is it playable offline?
The base game is single-player, although Nintendo hasn’t disclosed offline info in the sources I found. Compatibility with ZELDA NOTES requires an internet connection. Please review the store listing before purchasing.
Final verdict
If you have a Switch 2, go for the remake. It preserves everything about the 1998 game that made it so loved, while eliminating most of the inconvenience. Avoid it only if you want the unaltered N64 game. Check prices and the status of the physical release in your country’s shop before buying.
I’m a content writer passionate about gaming and strategy. I create engaging and informative content based on the latest gaming trends and industry updates. I enjoy exploring new tools, analyzing games, and making complex topics easy to understand for readers.
[…] Reviews are mostly positive, but with a familiar warning. Most critics praise the graphics, controls, and presentation, but a few dismiss it as a cautious remake. Nintendo Life noted that it was so close to the original, save for the lack of a Master Quest, and some reviewers found the spoken cutscenes impede people who want to venture out. We go into it at length in Ocarina of Time on Switch 2. […]