Ocarina of Time Remake Reveals Expanded Dungeons and New Movement Mechanics Ahead of November Launch

Key points

• New footage on the official Japanese website reveals expanded versions of iconic locations such as Kokiri Forest, Goron City, and Zora's Domain, along with detailed views of the first four dungeons.
• The remake introduces three new movement mechanics: a dedicated jump button, sprinting via a roll, and swimming with a stamina bar, replacing the original's limited underwater capabilities.
• Visual and audio upgrades include full voice acting for cutscenes, an orchestral score replacing MIDI audio, and a free camera system that allows players to see previously hidden areas in towns like Castle Town.
• The game retains loading screens between major areas to preserve the original's pacing but removes them for indoor transitions, allowing seamless entry into shops and buildings.
• Pre-orders are available for the digital edition at $59.99 and a physical edition with textured foil cover art at $69.99, with a discounted physical price of $59.88 available at Amazon.

Background

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake has been a focal point of recent gaming news, with Nintendo releasing a world map in September that confirmed a layout faithful to the 1998 original. Previous coverage highlighted the modernization of core mechanics, including full voice acting and a free camera, while maintaining the original's structure. The upcoming release coincides with the 40th anniversary of the franchise, featuring special edition hardware and accessories.

How outlets are covering it

Nintendo Wire emphasizes the abundance of new footage on the Japanese website, highlighting areas and dungeons not shown in the recent Zelda Direct. Kotaku focuses on the 15 key changes from the original, including voice acting, new movement mechanics, and altered town layouts, noting subtle tweaks to dungeon mechanics for better cause-and-effect logic. Mashable highlights the pre-order deals, noting the discounted physical price and price guarantee at Amazon. Notebookcheck focuses on the expanded Zora's Domain and the first look at underwater swimming, emphasizing the visual upgrades and new movement mechanics. While all sources agree on the core changes and release date, they differ in emphasis, with Nintendo Wire and Notebookcheck focusing on new footage, Kotaku on gameplay changes, and Mashable on purchasing options.

Why it matters

The release of extensive new footage and the confirmation of modernized mechanics indicate a significant update to a classic title, aiming to appeal to both nostalgic fans and new players. The introduction of new movement mechanics and visual upgrades, while retaining the original's core structure, suggests a balance between innovation and faithfulness to the source material. The pre-order availability and discounted pricing also indicate strong market interest and anticipation for the November launch.

What to watch

The game is set to launch on November 5, 2026, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are currently available, with the physical edition offering a discounted price at Amazon. The release coincides with the 40th anniversary of the franchise, featuring special edition hardware and accessories, including a Switch 2 console, Pro Controller, and carrying case, available on October 29, 2026.