Ocarina of Time Switch 2: 8 new features before launch

Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 launches on November 5, and Nintendo has released a new trailer showing eight ways the remake differs from the 1998 original, from jumping and dashing to gyro aiming and playing ocarina songs into the console's microphone.

As Nintendo Life points out, the video does not reveal anything new. It does, however, pack the remake's biggest changes into one short overview, which makes it a handy primer if you have avoided coverage so far.

Key facts

What are the eight new things in the trailer?

Nintendo Life lists the eight features shown in the video:

• Dashing
• Free jumping
• Gyro aiming
• Reimagined visuals
• Fully voiced cutscenes
• Playing songs through the built-in microphone
• The Threads of Time progress screen
• A hall of defeated enemies

In the site's reader poll, the visuals were the runaway favourite, picked by 56% of voters. Jumping came second with 13%.

How does Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 play differently?

Nintendo's official page promises enhanced controls and modern camera movement. Link can now jump and dash, and Nintendo pitches the remake as a great entry point for players who are new to the series.

According to the official announcement carried by Gematsu, the day/night cycle now keeps running everywhere, including in towns. Characters are fully voiced in expanded cutscenes and have more to say, and the soundtrack has been re-recorded with a full symphonic orchestra.

Can you really play the ocarina yourself?

Yes. Hum one of Link's melodies, or play it on a real instrument, near the Switch 2's built-in microphone and Link will perform the song in the game. Nintendo is also releasing two ocarinas later this year: a playable model and an electric one from HORI that plays notes or full songs at the press of a button.

Threads of Time and the monster hall

Threads of Time lets you check your story progress and next objective at any point, which should help anyone returning after a break. Nintendo's Hall of Fallen Heroes holds statues of monsters you have defeated. You can read up on them there or take them on again in a rematch.

amiibo, ZELDA NOTES and the physical edition

New Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo arrive in 2027 and unlock special masks that evoke a retro graphical style. Existing Zelda amiibo will also give useful rewards when tapped during play.

The ZELDA NOTES service in the Nintendo Switch App will support the game too. It tracks your adventure, sets location challenges using hint images, includes a virtual ocarina and offers a daily quiz drawn from more than 2,000 questions. The first physical print run comes with textured foil cover art while supplies last.

When will reviews land?

There is no Metacritic score yet, and the page currently only lists hands-on previews. Those have been warm: GameSpot wrote that the remake appears to largely strike the right balance between reverence and renovation. Full reviews are likely to arrive very close to launch.

For more Zelda, see our Tears of the Kingdom tips guide and Tears of the Kingdom release coverage, plus our news on The Duskbloods slipping to 2027.

Frequently asked questions

When does Zelda: Ocarina of Time come out on Switch 2?

It launches on November 5, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo's official store page lists the same date.

How much does Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 cost?

In the US it is $59.99 digitally and $69.99 physically. Nintendo Life lists £49.99 in the UK and €59.99 in Europe.

Are Ocarina of Time Switch 2 reviews out?

Not yet. Metacritic shows no score so far and only lists hands-on preview impressions from the press.

Sources

• Nintendo Life: Nintendo highlights eight new things in Zelda: Ocarina of Time
• Nintendo: Ocarina of Time official store page
• Nintendo: Ocarina of Time overview trailer
• Gematsu: Ocarina of Time launches November 5
• Nintendo Life: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 price
• Metacritic: Ocarina of Time (2026)