Nintendo’s official interview series reveals how the Nintendo Switch 2 remake modernises controls and dungeons while protecting the original heart of the 1998 classic.
With the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026, Nintendo has now released the final two chapters of Ask the Developer Vol. 24 just days before release. The interview feature series producer Eiji Aonuma, producer Hidemaro Fujibayashi, director HokWai Ng, art director Aya Shida, program director Hiroki Taguchi, and sound director/music lead Masato Ohashi.
Among the many highlights taken from the interview, a central change is free jumping. The original used automatic jumps in specific spots; the remake maps jump to a dedicated button so Link can leap anywhere. This required extensive environmental adjustments because Young Link and Adult Link have slightly different jump distances. Jump Attack retains the original single-button option for veterans while also supporting the two-step (jump then attack) method familiar from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Free camera control with dual sticks is standard, but the team added visual cues so players do not lose their bearings.
The Water Temple receives the most discussed tweaks. Aonuma, who designed the original dungeon, called it “overdue homework.” Item toggling is now far simpler (mapped to the D-pad in a manner inspired by the 3DS version). Certain walls have been replaced with lattice-style structures so players can see into adjacent rooms and better understand the layout. The goal was to preserve the unique underwater feel while reducing the frustration of constant menu diving and disorientation.
A new Threads of Time feature presents the story as an illustrated tapestry that unlocks as players progress, intended both as an in-game aid and a shared reference for players of different generations. Fully voiced cutscenes were added to match the upgraded visuals. Blind Japanese auditions prioritised matching the original character feel (including Navi’s iconic lines). Remarkably, one actor who performed the same role in the Nintendo 64 original was selected again without the team knowing their identity at the time.
Next, music exceeds 150 tracks. Many are fully orchestral, while some blend recreated Nintendo 64 sound sources with modern arrangements to evoke nostalgia. Ambient audio is far denser, with spatial 5.1 support and headphone-friendly detail in locations such as Kokiri Forest. Voice recognition via the Switch 2 microphone lets players hum or play real ocarina melodies for recognition—an idea Aonuma suggested after noting the console’s built-in mic. ZELDA NOTES support is also confirmed, including ocarina-related features.
The interview stress that the experience remains faithful while the world feels richer and more tangible. Chapter 1 and 2 (released November 2, 2026) had already confirmed the internal Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 3 team and the art direction philosophy. Together the series gives the clearest official picture yet of the remake heading into launch. For a recap of what was shared in the first two chapters, why not take a look here:
The Legend of Zelda | Ask the Developer Reveals Full Team Behind the Ocarina of Time Nintendo Switch 2 Remake
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