A remake of The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time will allegedly launch this year, to mark the series’ 40th anniversary, but not a new 3D Mario.
Nintendo’s Christmas game for 2026 has been the subject of much speculation this year, with the common assumption being that a successor to Super Mario Odyssey is the obvious choice.
The announcement of Pokémon Winds and Waves for 2027 only solidified this belief, but it seems like Nintendo has another firecracker in store for the Switch 2 later this year.
According to reliable insider NateTheHate, who accurately leaked details on the Switch 2’s launch, Nintendo is planning to release a remake of The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time ‘in the second half of 2026’. He’s also leaked several other games from Nintendo’s line-up, with his information being corroborated by VGC.
There are no details on the scope of the remake, or confirmation that it is definitely Nintendo’s big Christmas game, but it stands to reason it’d have to be a substantial overhaul if it is – especially if it’s a Switch 2 exclusive.
Nintendo released a minor Ocarina Of Time remake on the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, which featured updated graphics, stereoscopic 3D, and quality-of-life improvements. The Nintendo 64 original from 1998 is also available on Nintendo Switch Online, so another remake will have to sport some decent improvements to encourage people to lay down cash.
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If it turns out to be the reimagined version we’re all hoping for, it’ll certainly be a big deal. The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time is widely recognised as one of the greatest, and most influential, video games of all time.
A remake makes sense to celebrate The Legend Of Zelda’s 40th anniversary, although it is peculiar that Nintendo hasn’t announced it already. The actual anniversary has already passed (February 21) and a small teaser may have helped drive lagging Switch 2 sales in the West. It would also give those Zelda Lego sets some added context.
While a Zelda remake appears to be on the cards for 2026, NateTheHate ruled out the chance of a new 3D Mario arriving this year. ‘One game that will not be releasing in holiday 2026 is 3D Mario,’ he said on the latest episode of his podcast. ‘3D Mario will be releasing in 2027.’
If that’s true, that means a 3D Mario and Pokémon Winds and Waves will be arriving in 2027, which is a pretty big double whammy. It’ll also mark 10 years since the release of the last 3D Mario game, Super Mario Odyssey, which is pretty crazy to think about.
There have been other Mario games released over the years since, though, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Super Mario Maker 2, and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.
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Exciting news about the Ocarina of Time remake! It’s always great to see classic games getting a fresh update. Looking forward to seeing how they bring this beloved title back to life!
I completely agree! Remakes can really breathe new life into beloved classics. Plus, it’ll be interesting to see how they modernize the graphics and gameplay while keeping the original charm intact. What features are you hoping they’ll improve?
I completely agree! Remakes can really breathe new life into beloved classics. Plus, it’ll be interesting to see how they update the graphics and controls for a new generation of players. It could also introduce the game to fans who may have missed it the first time around!
I totally get what you mean! Remakes not only enhance graphics and gameplay but can also introduce new audiences to these timeless stories. It’ll be fascinating to see how they incorporate modern features while staying true to the original charm of Ocarina of Time.
You’re absolutely right! Remakes can breathe new life into classic titles, allowing a new generation to experience them. Plus, they often add quality-of-life improvements that make the gameplay smoother and more enjoyable. It’s exciting to think about how Ocarina of Time will evolve while still honoring the original!
I completely agree! It’s exciting to see how remakes can also introduce updated mechanics and graphics that enhance the original experience. Plus, Ocarina of Time has such a rich world that new players will really appreciate.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how remakes not only enhance graphics but can also breathe new life into gameplay with modern mechanics. I’m curious to see how they might integrate new features while preserving the classic feel of Ocarina of Time.