Nintendo has officially released a new iteration of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Switch 2, marking a high-profile return of the 1998 classic. The title, which launches today, invites players to once again step into the role of the young traveler Link to save the kingdom of Hyrule from the antagonist Ganondorf.
A Modernized Classic
While the core gameplay remains identical to the original—involving dungeon puzzles, monster combat, and the exploration of Hyrule—the release features updated visuals that necessitated new audio production. In a recent “Ask the Developer” blog, director HokWai Ng noted that Nintendo held blind auditions to cast voice talent, aiming to keep the sound as close to the original as possible. This process resulted in the re-casting of Kaori Mizuhashi as the voice of Navi, the same actress who held the role 28 years ago. The decision to use blind auditions ensured that decision-makers evaluated performance rather than the actors themselves.
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The original 1998 release was a landmark title, recognized as one of the first adventure games to feature a fully 3D world. Its legacy as a critical and commercial success—having sold over seven million copies upon its debut—serves as a strategic foundation for Nintendo, which is also preparing for a Zelda film release next year. The game was originally conceived by Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, who drew inspiration from his childhood experiences exploring hidden paths in Japanese mountains to create a sense of discovery. Following the massive success of recent titles Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, game editor Joppe Varkevisser notes that this release is a strategic move, stating, The makers know that all fans of the old game will buy this immediately.
Retailers Face Shipping Embargo Before Release Date
The launch has been marked by strict distribution protocols. Retailers, including Video Games Plus, reported that Nintendo mandated a shipping embargo, prohibiting the dispatch of physical copies until November 4. This tight window has led to consumer concerns regarding delivery times for pre-orders. While some fans managed to obtain playable copies as early as October 31, leading to online leaks of screenshots and videos, others are waiting on shipping updates. Reddit user Nacolo claims that pre-orders placed directly via the Nintendo Store may not arrive on time, while Amazon customers have also reported a lack of status updates.
To celebrate the official arrival of the game on November 5, Nintendo has organized midnight launch events at locations including Best Buy and the Nintendo stores in New York and San Francisco.
