Quick answer:Ocarina of Time Remake new features are finally bringing major quality-of-life updates to the classic Nintendo legend. There are many changes to the story of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, including a free camera, a dedicated jumping button, sprint, remastered graphics, an orchestral soundtrack, a hum-to-play ocarina, and an additional app called Zelda Notes. It will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on 5th November 2026.
Although those who grew up playing Ocarina of Time on the N64 won’t find it completely changed (something Nintendo producer Eiji Aonuma has said fans should not expect a Breath of the Wild style overhaul), there are still so many new things in this new version. Below is a simple run down of the top 10 changes.
1. A Proper Camera You Can Actually Move
Quick answer: You can now swing the camera freely with the right stick.
As the N64 controller only had one analogue stick, navigation in the original was mostly automated. In the remake, however, full camera control is available by using the right stick on the Joy-Con of the Switch 2. On paper this seems like a minor change, but it greatly affects the feel of exploration and combat. You can finally see what is coming.
2. Jump Whenever You Want
Quick answer: Pressing X now makes Link jump on command.
In the original, Link only jumped automatically near ledges. In the remake, there’s a dedicated jump button, so you decide when and where to leap. It’s a small tweak that makes platforming and dodging feel far more natural to anyone used to modern games.
3. Sprinting Is Finally Here
Quick answer: Link now has a proper sprint move for getting around faster.
Hyrule Field always felt huge and a little slow to cross. The remake adds a sprint option, so you can cover ground quicker without relying only on Epona, your horse. It’s a quality-of-life change that saves time without changing the map itself.
4. Completely Rebuilt Visuals
Quick answer: Every location has new textures, lighting, and detail.
The entire game has been completely redone, including the materials, textures and lighting. Kokiri Forest and Hyrule Castle have both been remodeled, giving them more detail. While it looks the same you can finally say it matches up with current hardware.
5. A Full Orchestral Soundtrack
Quick answer: The music has been rerecorded with a live orchestra.
The original’s music was made from N64 sound chips. The remake replaces it with symphonic, orchestral versions of the classic tunes, alongside a general sound refresh across the whole game. If the music is part of why you love this game, this alone might be worth the price.
6. Hum to Play the Ocarina
Quick answer: You can hum a tune into your Switch 2, and Link plays it back.
This is the standout new feature. The Switch 2 has a built-in microphone, and the remake uses it so you can hum a melody — Zelda’s Lullaby, Epona’s Song, whatever you fancy — and Link will play it on his in-game Ocarina. It’s a clever use of the hardware that the original game simply couldn’t offer.
7. A Physical Ocarina Controller (Coming Later)
Quick answer: Nintendo is releasing playable physical and electric Ocarinas as accessories.
In an effort to help players take their musical skills beyond simple humming, Nintendo have confirmed that they will be releasing new playable electric Ocarina add-ons later this year. The new accessories will enable players to physically play songs within the game.
8. Zelda Notes Companion App Features
Quick answer: A connected app tracks your progress and adds side activities.
Nintendo’s Zelda Notes app has been adapted to include some game specific features. These include Today’s Record, which is a log of what you have achieved each day, and Gossip Quest. Gossip Quest is a scavenger hunt where you use the hint pictures on your phone to find locations in the game to gain points which will reward you with Ocarina items. This isn’t mandatory, but is a nice extra to give completionists.
9. Hall of Fallen Foes — Boss Rematches
Quick answer: You can refight bosses you’ve already beaten.
A new mode called the Hall of Fallen Foes lets you go back and rematch bosses after you’ve defeated them in the main story. This is great news if you ever wanted a second shot at Ganondorf or your favourite dungeon boss without starting a whole new file.
10. Smarter Lighting During Combat
Quick answer: Lighting now warns you when enemies are about to attack.
Combat gets a subtle but useful upgrade: lighting changes to cue enemy behaviour. When you lock onto a target, the lighting shifts to highlight it, and overhead enemies flash a colour-changing spotlight just before they strike. It’s a small visual language that makes fights easier to read without changing the difficulty.
What Hasn’t Changed
Worth knowing: this is still a fairly linear, compact world with loading screens between major areas, much like the original. Nintendo has added expanded dialogue and some redesigned puzzles, but the core story, characters, and dungeon layout remain the same game you remember — just rebuilt around it.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Info |
| Release date | 5 November 2026 |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 (exclusive) |
| Price | $59.99 digital / $69.99 physical |
| Developer | Nintendo, led by producer Eiji Aonuma |
| Biggest new feature | Hum-to-play Ocarina using the Switch 2 microphone |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a full remake or just a graphics update?
It’s more than a graphics update — new controls, music, and features are included — but it isn’t a full redesign like Breath of the Wild. The core story and world layout stay the same.
Do I need the physical Ocarina accessory to play?
No. The hum-to-play feature using the Switch 2’s microphone works on its own. The physical Ocarina accessories are optional extras releasing later.
Can I play the remake on the original Nintendo Switch?
No. It’s confirmed as exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.
Further Reading
- Nintendo’s official Zelda remake release date announcement — Gematsu — https://www.gematsu.com/2026/09/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-launches-november-5
- 15 features and changes from early previews — Vice — https://www.vice.com/en/article/zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-new-features-previews/
- Gameplay trailer breakdown — Siliconera — https://www.siliconera.com/legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-trailer-highlights-gameplay-and-new-features/
