Nintendo News: The Ocarina of Time Remake on Switch 2 Explained

If you are searching “Nintendo” this week, the reason is almost certainly the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which launched on November 5, 2026 and is now the highest-rated game of the year on Metacritic. Below is what the remake is, what changed from the 1998 original, what it costs (including in Australia), and whether it is worth buying a Switch 2 for it.

All details here are as of November 11, 2026. Scores, prices and stock can change, so double-check anything you plan to spend money on.

What happened: the short version

• The game: a ground-up remake of Ocarina of Time, built exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
• Announced: during the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct, as covered by Game Informer. A later Zelda-focused Direct in September set the release date.
• Released: Thursday, November 5, 2026.
• Reception: a Metacritic score of 96, which VGC reports puts it at the top of 2026 and inside Metacritic’s all-time top 30.
• Extra buzz: Nintendo published an Ask the Developer interview (Vol. 24) about the remake on November 2, and mainstream outlets such as The New York Times have covered the nostalgia wave around it.

The Metacritic “records” in context

Headlines say the remake is “setting Metacritic records,” and that is broadly fair, but it helps to know exactly what the record is.

The remake is the best-reviewed game released in 2026 so far. It did not beat the original, which still holds a 99, the highest score Metacritic has recorded, as GamesRadar+ points out.

Different articles quote different review counts behind that 96, because more reviews were added after launch. Treat any specific count as a snapshot. The score itself may also move by a point as more reviews arrive.

What critics liked, and the main complaint

Reviews mostly praise the rebuilt visuals, the modern controls and how faithful the game stays to the original. TechRadar says it delivers on every front as a remake, with plenty for both returning players and newcomers.

The recurring criticism is the flip side of that faithfulness: some reviewers feel the remake plays it very safe. If you were hoping for a reimagined story or new dungeons in the style of a full reinvention, temper your expectations.

What changed from the N64 original

Nintendo kept the structure of the 1998 game but rebuilt how it looks and plays. Based on Nintendo’s reveal and coverage such as Kotaku’s list of changes, the main differences are:

1. A manual jump button. The original jumped automatically when you ran off a ledge, so the game decided whether you jumped. The remake gives you a dedicated button.
2. Full camera control. You get right-stick camera control instead of relying mainly on Z-targeting and the reset button.
3. Voiced cutscenes. Characters are fully voiced during in-game cutscenes, a first for this game.
4. Faster item switching. The quicker item management introduced in the 3DS version carries over.
5. Microphone ocarina. You can play songs with buttons, or hum them into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone.
6. Zelda Notes support. The game connects to Zelda Notes in the Nintendo Switch App, which offers an interactive map, progress tracking, an on-screen ocarina and quiz questions.

Some pre-launch reports also mention sprinting and a new quest log. Those came from fewer sources, so check Nintendo’s official game page if a specific feature matters to you.

Changes the team tried and dropped

Coverage of the Ask the Developer interview says the team added warp points during development and then removed them. Producer Eiji Aonuma reportedly started out thinking bigger changes were fine, but came to feel how much the team cherished the original. For the world map, Nintendo brought back the original N64 illustrator to draw a new one.

Who made it

This one confused people before launch. Many outlets assumed Grezzo, the studio behind the 2011 3DS remake, would handle it, but Nintendo never confirmed that.

According to Shacknews and other coverage of the interview, the remake was developed by Nintendo’s Entertainment Planning & Development Production Group No. 3, the team behind Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. HokWai Ng directed, his first time leading a Nintendo project, with longtime series producers Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi producing.

Aonuma’s reasoning is interesting: many people now working on Zelda were not on the original team, and some were children when it came out. He saw the remake partly as a way for them to learn directly from the original’s design.

Price: US, UK, EU and Australia

Prices were first spotted when a listing briefly appeared on the Australian Nintendo Store in September, as Nintendo World Report covered. Reported prices are:

Physical prices vary by retailer, and some outlets reported a limited edition physical release with a foil cover while stock lasts. For the exact price where you live, check the official Nintendo eShop or My Nintendo Store, or your usual retailer.

Do you need a Switch 2, and what does it cost now?

Yes. The remake is a Switch 2 exclusive, so it will not run on an original Switch.

If you are buying a console for it, note that Nintendo raised Switch 2 prices in several regions this year. As VGC reported, the US price went from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026, with increases in Europe and Canada on the same date and in Japan in May. Nintendo cited memory costs and tariffs. Our sources did not give an Australian console change, so check local pricing before you buy.

Should you buy it?

Here is a quick way to decide:

• You already own a Switch 2 and have never played Ocarina of Time: this is the easiest recommendation of the year. It is the most accessible way to play a landmark game, with modern controls.
• You played the N64 or 3DS version: the game is very faithful, so you are paying mainly for the new visuals, voice acting and control changes. Reviews suggest that is worth it for most fans, but do not expect new story content.
• You do not own a Switch 2: the remake is a strong reason to get one, but with the console now more expensive than at launch, make sure there are other games you want too.

Bottom line

“Nintendo” is trending because the Switch 2 Ocarina of Time remake launched on November 5 and immediately became 2026’s best-reviewed game, with a 96 on Metacritic. It is a faithful, modernised rebuild by Nintendo’s own Zelda team, not a reinvention, and it sells for US$59.99 or AU$94.95 digitally. Keep in mind that prices and review totals can shift after launch week.