The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Story and setting

Link begins as a young boy living among the Kokiri, summoned by the Great Deku Tree to answer a threat facing Hyrule. Accompanied by the fairy Navi, he becomes involved with Princess Zelda’s attempt to protect the kingdom from Ganondorf, the Gerudo leader seeking the Triforce in the Sacred Realm.

The adventure covers Hyrule across two different eras, with Link’s journey taking him from forests and villages to Death Mountain, lakes, deserts, temples and dungeons. Nintendo has confirmed the central cast, including Link, Navi, Zelda, Ganondorf, Impa, Saria, Darunia and Ruto, as well as the original story’s focus on becoming the Hero of Time.

How it plays

This is a single-player action-adventure built around exploration, sword fighting, item-based puzzles and traditional Zelda dungeons. Link can use equipment such as the Kokiri Sword, Deku Shield, slingshot, bombs, boomerang and bow to fight enemies and overcome obstacles. Items are swapped during play, and some equipment is available only in one of Link’s two eras.

The remake adds a dash ability and button-triggered jumps, allowing Link to cross distances more quickly and leap over gaps and obstacles. Hyrule Field acts as a central route between major areas, and Link can befriend a horse for later riding. Day and night continue to affect the world, with different characters and enemies appearing after sunset. Nintendo has also shown the Threads of Time, a recap and objective-tracking feature designed to help players follow the story.

Ocarina songs remain important to progression. They can be played with button controls, while Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in microphone can recognise a hummed melody. Motion controls are supported for aiming tools such as the slingshot and bow.

Trailers and showcases

The Nintendo Direct on 9 June 2026 announced the remake with a short teaser and confirmed that it would be reborn exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 during 2026. The trailer established the Hyrule setting and storybook-like presentation but did not show meaningful gameplay or reveal a launch date.

Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on 8 September 2026 provided the first gameplay, presented by series producer Eiji Aonuma. It confirmed the 5 November release date and showed the rebuilt world, revised character designs, action, traversal and dungeon exploration. Nintendo also detailed fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, modern camera movement and the new dash and jump abilities.

Platforms, editions and UK price

The game is confirmed only for Nintendo Switch 2. It is not announced for the original Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox or PC. Nintendo’s UK listing gives the digital edition a £49.99 price and the physical edition a £58.99 RRP. UK pre-orders have been listed by the Nintendo Store and retailers including ShopTo, Smyths Toys, GAME, Currys, Amazon and The Game Collection, although prices and stock can change before launch.

The first physical print run includes textured foil cover art while stocks last. Nintendo has not announced a separate collector’s or deluxe game edition. A Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 console, Pro Controller and carrying case are separate products scheduled for 29 October 2026; the console listing does not present them as a game bundle. The game supports TV, tabletop and handheld play, HDR on compatible displays, surround sound and amiibo.

Online play and Nintendo services

There is no online multiplayer mode. Nintendo lists one player on a single system, and the game is designed as a single-player adventure. Nintendo Switch Online is not required for the adventure itself or for ZELDA NOTES, the companion service in the Nintendo Switch App.

ZELDA NOTES can record accomplishments, provide location-finding challenges, recap progress and let players create or share ocarina melodies. Cloud save support is listed among the game’s Nintendo Switch Online features. Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo are planned for 2027 and will unlock special in-game masks, but their exact release date has not been confirmed.

What we still don’t know

Nintendo has not officially named the development studio behind this remake. Some retailer listings have attributed development to Monolith Soft, but that has not been confirmed by Nintendo or the studio and should be treated as unconfirmed. Nintendo has also not published a precise UK eShop release time, preload details, final performance targets or a full breakdown of accessibility options.

The trailers have not confirmed whether the remake adds new dungeons, side quests, story material or an equivalent to the original’s Master Quest. There is no announced demo, expansion pass, Game Pass or PlayStation Plus release. If the textured physical packaging matters to you, pre-ordering is the safest route; otherwise, the digital version is £9 cheaper at the confirmed UK price.