What Was Announced
Nintendo confirmed the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time during last month's major Nintendo Direct, following a significant leak and months of fan speculation. The initial teaser revealed the game's 3D art style and a 2026 launch window, though it offered little in the way of gameplay detail. A product description that has since been removed suggested the project will likely be a faithful remake of the N64 original, rather than a radical reimagining. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 Star Fox remake launched last month, drawing attention for being the third time Nintendo has revisited that particular N64 title.
Both projects arrive on Switch 2 within the same year, creating an unusual concentration of legacy content on Nintendo's newest hardware. For a platform holder that typically spaces out its major franchises, releasing two N64 remakes in close succession signals a deliberate approach. The timing also coincides with Fox McCloud's appearance in this year's Super Mario Galaxy Movie, adding another layer of visibility for the Star Fox brand beyond the game itself.
Star Fox 2: Miyamoto's 25-Year Gamble
| Game | Release Window | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time | 2026 | Switch 2 | 3D art style; likely faithful remake |
| Star Fox | Launched last month | Switch 2 | Third reimagining of N64 classic |
Quick Facts — The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
| Publisher | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | Switch 2 |
| Release Date | 2026 |
Shigeru Miyamoto addressed that criticism directly in a recent interview with Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, as reported by Nintendo Everything. His defence centres on accessibility and the lifecycle of players. Miyamoto argued that after five years, many people outgrow games and stop playing them, while younger generations never get the chance to experience titles from a decade or more ago. Remaking those games to be more playable on modern hardware, he said, meets a genuine demand. He also teased that letting people know the original games leads to future developments, hinting that these remakes serve a strategic purpose beyond simple preservation.
"Remaking those games to be more playable on modern hardware meets a genuine demand."
Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo
The $50 Gamble Nintendo Wants You to Ignore
Miyamoto's comments reframe the remake conversation from creative stagnation to audience renewal. The argument that younger players lack access to older games holds weight — original N64 hardware and cartridges are increasingly difficult to source, and the 3DS eShop closure removed a convenient digital option for Ocarina of Time. A faithful Switch 2 remake with modern quality-of-life improvements could genuinely serve as the definitive way to experience these titles for a new generation.
The "future developments" tease is where the strategy gets interesting. Fans have already connected the dots: Star Fox's remake, combined with Fox's movie cameo, feels like brand rehabilitation ahead of an all-new entry. For Zelda, a full follow-up to Tears of the Kingdom is widely assumed to be in development, with Ocarina of Time serving as a bridge to keep the franchise visible during the wait. If Miyamoto's hint proves accurate, these remakes aren't endpoints — they're foundations.
Nintendo's remake pipeline shows no signs of slowing, but Miyamoto's framing suggests a longer game is being played. Whether that results in genuine new entries for Star Fox and Zelda — or simply more remakes — remains the question that will define the next few years of the Switch 2 lifecycle.
