It’s back – one of gaming’s most adventures receives a contemporary glow-up, with the time-spanning puzzles, musical interludes, and sprawling dungeons meeting modernised visuals and convenience. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is poised to welcome a whole new generation, while returnees, we’re sure, simply can’t wait to explore Hyrule again. Whether it’s your first or your 40th time experiencing Link’s adventure, here’s fifteen things to know before you buy.
A Semi-Open, Linear-Style Adventure
The original Ocarina of Time followed a more structured, linear adventure compared to Link’s most-recent excursions Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. So, it should come as no surprise that the upcoming remake traces a similarly guided, semi-open path, where specific regions, story beats, and dungeons spoke out a central hub. Progression, then, is more-closely curated, with open-world Zelda’s freeform sandboxing left to its modern titles.
You Don’t Need to Have Played the Original
If you never dipped into Ocarina in the years since – or, indeed, played any Zelda game full stop – then you’ll be pleased to know that Ocarina of Time tells a self-contained story. The remake is being positioned as an excellent entry point into the series, although there are some playful nods to the original that newcomers and veterans alike should appreciate – loading screens between areas, for instance, are included to preserve the essence of the original.
Dungeons and Environmental Puzzles Shape Gameplay
Dungeons are a major part of what makes Zelda games tick, and Ocarina of Time is no exception. These locations combine enemy encounters, labyrinthine exploration, and elaborate environmental puzzles, establishing the game’s mechanics while directing you to boss battles and temple-specific item rewards. The iconic, somewhat divisive Water location is set to return alongside firm favourites like the Spirit, Shadow, and the atmospheric Forest locations.
Hyrule Field is Your Central Hub
Filled with rolling pastures, lush forests, and shadowed by the volcanic Death Mountain, Hyrule Field serves as the game’s central hub and gateway to the wider kingdom of Hyrule. You’ll gradually venture further afield as Ocarina of Time unfolds, meeting inhabitants, visiting settlements, and uncovering dungeons to raid. There will be blocked paths and inaccessible secrets along the way, but Link has a rather nifty way to unlock the landscape which we’ll get onto later.
The Ocarina Is More Than a Musical Instrument
Yes, as the title suggests, the ocarina is a central device, but playing its melodies isn’t just a musical diversion. No, certain songs are essential for making progress, opening previously closed paths and even unlocking the door that gives Link access to the Master Sword. If we’re to downplay the majesty of the ocarina, you could say it’s a utility tool, and you’ll need to know specific songs to garner the effect you want. That could be melodies which trigger rain or shift ancient mechanisms to manipulate the world around Link, or motifs for teleporting him to other parts of the map. Tunes like “Sun’s Song” can switch between day and night – we’ll explain why this specific mechanic matters shortly.
You Can Hum Songs into The Microphone
The Switch 2 brings a unique twist on performing ocarina melodies. See, in-game you can press the appropriate Joy-Con buttons, but where’s the fun in that when you can also hum the tunes into the console’s microphone. Singing or whistling presumably works just as well, and it’s a joyful way to interact with one of the game’s defining mechanics. Nintendo is also set to offer an actual ocarina, if you want to go full musical immersion, although the official gameplay overview states other instruments should work too.
The Adventure Spans Two Different Eras
Here’s where the ‘Time’ part of the title comes in. See, in Ocarina of Time, Link’s quest isn’t confined to a single period of his life. The story begins with child Link, whom through visiting specific locations can flash-forward seven years to Link’s Adult Era. The game allows you to alternate between child and adult via an anchor, with different world states, physical abilities, and weapons typifying each era. More so, actions you undertake as child Link can have a direct correlation with how adult Link interacts with the world seven years later, from establishing new paths to resolving playful paradoxes.
Time Passes Organically Throughout Hyrule
The passage of time, and the transitions from day to night bring different activity to Hyrule, with certain friends and enemies appearing at particular times. This means the world isn’t always going to offer you an opportunity for progression if you visit during an inopportune time. If you’re searching for something in particular, you may need to wait for the right conditions. Or, you know, blow the right tune on your ocarina to shift time yourself.
Weapons and Items Can Be Swapped On The Fly
Link has plenty of equipment at his disposal, including era-specific weapons for downing enemies and overcoming environmental obstacles. To encourage frictionless experimentation, Ocarina of Time allows you to swap between equipment on the fly, maintaining momentum whether you’re fighting, navigating, or working through a puzzle.
There’re Plenty of Diversions Beyond Dungeons
Although, as we’ve already alluded, dungeons and puzzles are the game’s major attractions, Hyrule also offers plenty of other diversions to keep you occupied. Side quests, collectable hunts, and optional activities give you additional goals beyond dungeon crawling. Hyrule Castle Town, in particular, is a good spot to find minigames if you’re after a change of pace. Elsewhere, helping Hyrule’s inhabitants can lead to specific rewards, so it’s always worth investigating every location thoroughly away from the main quest.
Befriending a Horse Makes Travel Faster
Hyrule is a sizeable place, and travelling on foot can take considerable time. Befriending a horse as adult Link gives you a much quicker way to cover ground. This will prove particularly useful once you’ve unlocked abilities that encourage you to revisit previously visited regions. Riding isn’t the be all and end all, though; rolling and dashing also gives you an efficient way to get around.
The Remake Supports ZELDA NOTES
Like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom’s Switch 2 Editions, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is supported by ZELDA NOTES, the companion service available through the Nintendo Switch app. For Ocarina, it’ll provide a record of your accomplishments, a tool to challenge your knowledge of the game, and a place to upload and share your very own ocarina melodies. You will need a compatible smart device and Nintendo Account to access the service, although a Switch Online subscription is not required.
Amiibo Will Unlock Special Masks in 2027
Nintendo has announced that two new Amiibo specifically designed for the remake are launching in 2027 – Young Link and Young Zelda – with them able to unlock special in-game masks which transform Link’s face into a low-poly, N64 art style. Elsewhere, all existing Zelda Amiibo are being supported, with the figures already in your collection now able to drop helpful items and resources in-game.
Single Player Only, Requires 27GB Storage
Ocarina of Time remake is as single-player as they come, with the revamped classic adventure designed specifically for one person. So, in other words: no multiplayer, and no co-op. Storage-wise, Nintendo advertises the game’s estimated file size at 27GB – not too shabby!
A Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive
Set to launch on November 5, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. So, if you’re the owner of the original Switch you’ll need to upgrade to the latest console if you want to experience the remake. For pricing, you’re looking at $59.99 for the Digital Edition, while the Physical Edition has a recommended retail price of $69.99.
