Monolith Soft Confirms Partial Role in Zelda Remake as Game Launches to Critical Acclaim

Key points

• Monolith Soft officially confirmed its involvement in the remake, stating it handled partial contract development for game design, programming, and graphics, while the project was largely managed internally by Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3.
• The game launched on November 5, 2026, featuring a new art style described as 'hyperreal,' full voice acting for cutscenes, and updated mechanics such as universal jumping and quick-select item menus.
• Nintendo reported a 52% year-over-year increase in gross profit in its second quarter, driven partly by the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, despite a 34.4% decline in Switch 2 hardware sales compared to the previous year.
• The remake is priced at $60 for the digital version and $70 for the physical edition, with a special 40th-anniversary Switch 2 console bundle that has already sold out.
• Critics and players praised the emotional depth and visual fidelity of the remake, with many fans lining up at retailers like GameStop and Best Buy for the midnight launch.

Background

The original Ocarina of Time was released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64 and is widely considered one of the best games ever made. Nintendo has previously re-released the title for the GameCube, Wii U, and 3DS. This remake follows a trend of Nintendo updating classic titles for modern hardware, similar to the recent Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom entries. Prior to this launch, rumors suggested Monolith Soft was the primary developer, which has now been clarified as a partial contract role.

How outlets are covering it

Nintendo Everything focused on the technical credits, clarifying Monolith Soft's partial role versus the internal Nintendo EPD team. CNN emphasized the business strategy, noting that the remake aims to counter declining hardware sales and compete with GTA VI, while highlighting the impact of rising memory costs on console pricing. The Guardian provided a detailed critical review, praising the 'hyperreal' art style and emotional resonance of the new cutscenes, though noting some changes to character designs like Sheik. NBC10 Philadelphia highlighted the consumer excitement, reporting on long lines at retail stores for the physical release and special edition consoles.

Why it matters

The success of this remake is crucial for Nintendo's financial health as it faces rising hardware costs and competition from free-to-play titles. A strong holiday performance could stabilize Switch 2 sales, which have declined year-over-year, and reinforce Nintendo's strategy of leveraging legacy franchises to maintain market dominance against competitors like Sony and Microsoft.

What to watch

Nintendo is expected to monitor sales data over the coming weeks to assess the impact on Switch 2 hardware. The company has also announced a Zelda orchestra concert and movie for next year, continuing its expansion of the franchise into other media. Analysts will watch if the remake can sustain momentum against the upcoming launch of Grand Theft Auto VI.