The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Is Out Now Exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2

I did not think I would be telling anyone to boot up Ocarina of Time on a weeknight in 2026, and yet here we are. Nintendo says The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is out now, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, at $59.99.

This is not a simple resolution bump of the 1998 Nintendo 64 original. Nintendo describes it as built from the ground up for Switch 2, with overhauled visuals, voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, and reworked camera and movement controls. You can challenge enemies again in the Hall of Fallen Foes, and search Hyrule for fairy thoughts that unlock extra tidbits about the world.

The shape of the adventure is the one I grew up on. Link and his fairy companion Navi still cross the kingdom, dive into dungeons, and slip between two time periods as young Link and adult Link. Music still matters: the ocarina can turn night into day and call Epona, and the Switch 2's built-in microphone lets you play the in-game instrument by humming or using a real one.

Nintendo is positioning the release as a standalone story and a friendly starting point if you have only played the newer games. Companion extras include ZELDA NOTES in the Nintendo Switch App, with daily accomplishments, photo hunts you can exchange for music scores, a shareable in-app ocarina, and a quiz. The Nintendo Today! app also has collectible cards inspired by different Zelda games.

2026 marks the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda. I am glad the year includes a version of this particular quest that I can hand to someone who has never met Navi.

Details are on Nintendo's official announcement.