Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake shows new look, splits fans at Direct

Nintendo showed roughly 20 minutes of gameplay from its remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time during the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, and the new art style has split fan reaction ever since. The remake launches November 5, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2. Producer Eiji Aonuma calls the new version faithful to the original, even though the look reads differently at first glance.

What we know

The gameplay segment, shown during the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, ran for about 20 minutes. The game world has been rebuilt with a modern look, while the characters stay close to the design of the 1998 original.

That contrast between a realistic environment and stylized characters sits at the center of the debate that started as soon as the footage aired.

Producer Eiji Aonuma describes the remake as a faithful adaptation. Even the original loading screens carry over. One confirmed addition is a dedicated jump button, a feature the 1998 original never had.

The remake is set to launch November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.

Why it matters

Before the reveal, it was unclear how far Nintendo would push a remake of one of its most revered games, whether it would stay close to the original or take a bigger departure. What Nintendo showed only partly answers that. The environments were rebuilt from scratch, while the characters were deliberately kept closer to their original look.

For a team working on one of the most revered games in its history, that style split is the boldest call visible in the footage so far. Everything else shown, including the new jump button, builds on the existing systems rather than replacing them. The art style is where the remake visibly departs from the original, while much of the rest, down to the old loading screens, stays in place.

What's still unknown

The footage does not show how much combat, puzzles or overall structure change beyond the added jump button. Nintendo did not announce a price during the Direct. There is also no information yet on additional editions or a pre-order window.

Release dates

• November 5, 2026 - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake launches on Nintendo Switch 2