Japanese gaming giant Nintendo is preparing a grand celebration of The Legend of Zelda series' 40th anniversary. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing Business Wire, fans of the iconic franchise can look forward to two major events: a full remake of the classic 1998 title — The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — and a limited-edition version of the Switch 2 console timed to the series' anniversary. The remake is reportedly set to arrive on Switch 2 on November 5, while the anniversary console edition will hit stores a week earlier, on October 29.
Ocarina of Time Remake: What's Kept and What's Redone
The developers stated that they have preserved the original's classic formula: dungeon crawling and collecting key items remain the core of the gameplay. At the same time, the visual side has been substantially overhauled — with added environmental detail, a button-based jump, and full camera control, none of which were present in the Nintendo 64 version. The introduction of voice acting for the characters also deserves special attention, marking a notable addition for the series. The demo video also showcased Epona, the horse the hero can ride to travel through the adult timeline.
Gameplay: From the Kokiri Forest to Singing Songs into the Microphone
The remake's opening areas include the Kokiri Forest, where Link's adventure begins, as well as the fields of Hyrule and the castle town. The combat system is built on the original 1998 Z-targeting, though quick item switching has been simplified via hotkeys. For newcomers, a quest journal has been added to the menu, reminding players of their current progress and next objective. The most original mechanic is the ability to play the Ocarina's magical songs not only with button combinations but also by humming them into the console's microphone. According to sources, during the demonstration Nintendo showed around 15 minutes of gameplay and revealed pricing information.
Anniversary Switch 2 for the Series' 40th Birthday
The special edition of the Switch 2, releasing on October 29, features a gold-and-metallic-green finish. The Joy-Con 2 controllers will have a reflective coating, along with pixel-art images: Link with the Triforce on the left gamepad and Princess Zelda on the right. The dock is finished in black and gold with a large Triforce motif. Alongside the console, a themed case with a screen film, the Switch 2 Pro controller, and an official gamepad stand will also go on sale.
An Important Note for Buyers
As emphasized in the announcement, the Ocarina of Time game itself is not included in the anniversary console bundle — it must be purchased separately. Thus, Nintendo is separating the two anniversary products: limited-edition "hardware" for collectors and a full remake available to all Switch 2 owners from November 5.
