Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Switch 2 — All the Details of the Game Challenging GTA

Nintendo really did it. Without beating around the bush, without being intimidated by what's happening around them, and above all, without the slightest concern for the global video game calendar. In the Direct dedicated to the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, the Kyoto-based company finally showcased The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 and, most importantly, dropped the bombshell: November 5, 2026.

Yes, you read that right. November.

The same month as GTA 6, scheduled for the 19th. While practically the entire industry has learned to view that date like a solar eclipse, Nintendo simply decided to go its own way.

Other major games have altered their schedules precisely to avoid a clash with the Rockstar behemoth. Nintendo, however, seems to live in a parallel dimension: "GTA 6 arrives in November? Perfect. So do we."

And this, for better or worse, is Nintendo. 

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

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The Ocarina of Time Remake: Graphics Rebuilt from Scratch, a More Vibrant Hyrule, and Switch 2 Surprises Everyone 

The absolute star of the Direct was, of course, Ocarina of Time, presented directly by Eiji Aonuma, the series' long-time producer.

And what we saw was much more than a simple graphical update. Nintendo took the 1998 classic and rebuilt it using modern technologies, while keeping the soul of the original adventure intact.

The first thing that strikes you is, naturally, the graphics. Completely redone textures, lighting, materials, environments, and animations have been brought to a completely different level.

Hyrule appears more alive, more detailed, and decidedly more spectacular.

And what's even more interesting is that all of this comes to Nintendo Switch 2, a machine that, at least on paper, is certainly not the most powerful among those currently on the market. Yet what we saw is truly breathtaking.

Nintendo has once again demonstrated its impressive ability to push hardware to its limits. 

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Modernized Gameplay: "Trame del Tempo", Revised Camera, Free Jumping, and Ocarina with Microphone 

The real surprise, however, comes from the gameplay.

Nintendo didn't want to limit itself to remaking Ocarina of Time with modern graphics. New controls have been introduced, a completely revised camera management, more fluid movements, and the ability to jump and sprint freely, making the experience decidedly more modern.

A new feature called "Trame del Tempo" (Threads of Time) was also shown, designed to help the player better navigate the story and understand where to proceed.

Even the way of interacting with the Ocarina has been modernized, with the possibility of using the microphone to hum melodies instead of manually inputting notes.

In short, Nintendo is trying to modernize Ocarina of Time without transforming it into something else.

And this is probably the smartest choice. 

Link's New Design: Why the Redesign Caused Debate and Why It's Not a Real Problem

If there's one element that caused the most discussion among fans, it's certainly the new child Link.

The protagonist's redesign didn't convince everyone equally. Nothing dramatic, mind you, but it's probably the only aspect shown during the Direct that generated some perplexity among long-time fans and even some new players.

It's primarily an aesthetic issue, and compared to the amount of work shown on the rest of the project, it's really difficult to consider it a concrete problem.

For the rest, the reaction to the new gameplay and the new artistic direction has been decidedly positive. 

Switch 2 40th Anniversary Special Edition: Green, Black, and Gold at €510 — Pre-orders Open in Italy

And then she arrived.

The Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Special Edition, featuring a splendid combination of green, black, and gold, with a completely customized console and dock.

And this time, even we Italians can join the celebration: pre-orders are officially open in Italy. The console is offered at 510 euros, while the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Special Edition, complete with display stand, costs 109.99 euros. The special carrying case with screen protector is also available for pre-order.

The result? A veritable buying frenzy.

The Nintendo Store was literally stormed, and virtual queues reached significant wait times just to access the shop and secure consoles, controllers, and accessories in time for day one. And considering how strong the appeal of the Zelda brand is, it was probably inevitable.

Consoles and accessories will arrive on October 29, 2026, just one week before Ocarina of Time, which will be available from November 5. 

In the United States, where pre-orders started immediately, the situation was even wilder. And, inevitably, scalpers appeared.

The console was quickly snapped up, and listings at completely inflated prices have already appeared on marketplaces. The usual sad spectacle we're now accustomed to when a particularly desired limited edition arrives.

But, at least this time, Nintendo gave Italian enthusiasts the chance to get in line immediately and try to secure everything on day one.

And knowing the world of Zelda, it's to be expected that the situation won't improve in the coming days. 

Film, Music, and Magic 

As if that weren't enough, Nintendo also confirmed the new live-action film The Legend of Zelda, produced by Nintendo and Sony Pictures.

The worldwide cinema release is set for April 30, 2027.

And that alone would be enough to make the Direct important.

But Nintendo still had a few cards to play.

To celebrate the series' forty years, the The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert will also arrive, an orchestral tour dedicated to the historical and modern music of the saga.

The tour will start in Japan and will also come to Europe in 2027, with London among the first European stops.

The interesting thing is that Nintendo has already confirmed that additional cities and countries will be added.

And here we Italians can only cross our fingers.

Because seeing Zelda's music live with an orchestra would be one of those events that I personally wouldn't miss for anything in the world.

So Nintendo, be good: at least one date in Italy. Two would be even better. 

November 5 vs November 19: Nintendo Challenges GTA 6 and Doesn't Budge an Inch 

In the end, however, the real message of this Direct was just one: Nintendo is afraid of no one.

Ocarina of Time arrives on November 5.

GTA 6 arrives on November 19.

In between, there will be millions of players who will have to choose how to allocate their free time and, above all, their money.

And Nintendo has decided to stand directly in front of the Rockstar giant without budging an inch.

Whether it's a crazy or brilliant choice, we'll only find out in a few months. But it's certainly a tremendously Nintendo choice. 

What we saw in the Direct, however, was something special. Ocarina of Time seems to have returned with the intention of speaking to both nostalgics and those who have never played that masterpiece.

Completely renewed graphics, modernized gameplay, redone sound, new features, and a quantity of details that make it clear how much work is behind it.

And in the meantime, the Nintendo promotional machine has already started at full speed: console, Pro Controller, case, game, merchandise, and even the upcoming film.

Now all that remains is to wait for November 5. Between now and the release, new information, new details, and perhaps some surprises will surely arrive. So stay tuned to our pages and our social media, because if you think it's over here, trust us, it's not at all.