Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 adds boss rush mode and mic-controlled ocarina

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting a full remake for Nintendo Switch 2, arriving November 5, 2026. This isn't another port—it's a ground-up rebuild with modern visuals that still respects the N64 original's vibe.

Journalists who played preview builds say the game looks sharp while keeping that classic Ocarina feel intact. You'll recognize every dungeon and field, just rendered with the kind of detail the Switch 2 can handle.

Boss rush mode with speedrun timers

The biggest addition is the Hall of Fallen Foes, a new area where you can view statues of every monster you've beaten. More importantly, you can jump back into boss fights whenever you want, and the game tracks your clear times with a speedrun timer. That's a smart nod to the community that's been speedrunning this game for over two decades.

Play the ocarina with your actual voice

Here's the wildest feature: the Switch 2's built-in microphone lets you play ocarina songs by humming or even playing a real instrument. No word yet on how forgiving the pitch detection is, but it's the kind of gimmick that could either be magical or frustrating depending on execution.

The remake also supports something called Zelda Notes through the Nintendo Switch App, though details on what that actually does are still thin.

Worth the wait?

Ocarina of Time has been re-released plenty of times—on GameCube, Wii, Wii U and the 3DS remake in 2011. But this is the first version built for modern hardware with meaningful new features instead of just upscaling or minor tweaks. If you've replayed this game a dozen times already, the boss rush and mic controls might give you a reason to run through Hyrule one more time.

For anyone who missed it the first time around or only knows Breath of the Wild, this is the definitive way to experience the game that set the template for 3D action-adventure titles. November 2026 is a long wait, but at least Nintendo's finally doing it right.