The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct was a much-awaited event for Nintendo fans, with many expecting that Ocarina of Time remake gameplay would be shared and the Zelda movie’s trailer might also be released. The latter didn’t come to pass, and it was only revealed that the movie is titled The Legend of Zelda and will be released on April 30, 2027. However, the Ocarina of Time remake’s gameplay was showcased, revealing many things.
Ocarina of Time Remake Is Claimed to Be a Modern Faithful Interpretation
Eiji Aonuma stated that Ocarina of Time may be one of the most influential Zelda games of all time, which is why Nintendo has tried to modernize the game while remaining faithful to the original. He played the Ocarina of Time remake during the direct, starting off with Link in the Kokiri Forest. The gameplay shows off the nostalgic but visually upgraded world, with Link looking substantially different from the N64 days.
Aonuma showed off bits and pieces of the game, including Kokiri Forest, Great Deku Tree, Hyrule Field, and Hyrule Castle Town. All the locations seen during the gameplay received major visual overhauls, and another thing was evident. Link can enter areas in an individual location without a black loading screen. Aonuma stated that Nintendo kept the loading screen when traveling between “certain areas” because of nostalgia.
He also showed off some new features that the game has, including free camera, a dedicated jump option, Threads of Time, and the option to hum Ocarina songs. The free camera is a major change, as players can look around the area without having to move. Aonuma stated that this wasn’t possible on the N64 because it only had one joystick. Link could previously jump, but it was an automatic action when you were near a ledge or another place where jumping was necessary.
Threads of Time is the most unique feature, as it’s a tapestry that players can use to find out where they’re supposed to go, and it will fill in as you progress. Aonuma also showed off that players won’t need to roll to speed up Link, as the character can now dash across Hyrule Field and other locations. The game’s swimming mechanics have also been revamped, and Link can swim faster. A unique addition is that players don’t have to input songs using buttons and can instead hum them. There is also a Quick Swap option to switch between items with a single button, and you can aim using motion controls.
The remake will keep several of Ocarina of Time’s signature elements, including the massively influential Z-targeting. Dungeons and other locations will likely be significantly revamped based on what was shown in the gameplay, but the remake will likely keep everything similar to the original. In fact, Aonuma showed off Hyrule Castle Town and highlighted that it has been expanded, with the possibility of finding gossip and mini-games during downtime.
Ocarina of Time remake will be released on November 5, 2026, and players will be able to play the game on the Switch 2.
