- Primary Subject: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake
- Key Update: Officially confirmed as the grand finale of the June 9, 2026, Nintendo Direct, this iconic N64 masterpiece is being completely rebuilt as an exclusive launch-era title for the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Status: Confirmed / Opinion
- Last Verified: June 10, 2026
- Quick Answer: The Ocarina of Time Remake is an upcoming 2026 ground-up reimagining of the classic 1998 action-adventure title, built exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
Those who tuned into June's Nintendo Direct were likely very surprised, or not, given the many rumors, with the announcement of a remake for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. While it's not a new entry in the series, fans are still highly accepting of it, as it's another way for everyone, especially the modern generation, to enjoy what can be considered one of the greatest games of all time.
With the Switch 2 being its next home, there's a lot of potential for how the remake could improve upon the original and even the 3DS version, and everyone has the right to be excited about the different possibilities. Although it is great that Ocarina of Time is getting a third opportunity in the spotlight, I believe that Nintendo shouldn't have given it that opportunity.
Instead, it should have gone to an entry in the series that is far more deserving: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. It is a game that is a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, and given that statement, you'd be inclined to think that it's for the best that its predecessor gets the Switch 2 remake treatment first, as it chronologically makes sense. That, and many think of it as the much better game between the two.
Despite that, there are two good reasons why Majora's Mask should have been the one to be remade ahead of its more popular counterpart. The first thing that comes to mind is the mediocre treatment it received when it was reworked for the 3DS. Back in the days of the popular handheld, it received the honor of housing the initial remakes for both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, allowing fans to enjoy them on the go.
The former received a substantial improvement, as it was given quality of life changes and graphical upgrades that enhanced its experience, while still allowing it to maintain the fun and wondrous journey of the original. The 3DS version of Majora's Mask also received similar treatment, but the final product was not as well accepted.
The handheld remake resulted in several substantial changes to the gameplay, and although it was done with the intent of modernization in mind, it was perceived as a downgrade instead. A few notable examples would be giving bosses a giant eyeball weakness instead of the more open-ended way of beating them, making Zora Link's high-speed swimming feature expend magic with every use, and indicators for where Ice Arrows should be shot in the water to make platforms when there were originally none.
There are even more, and they highly affected the fun that could have been had with the 3DS version of Marjora's Mask. The game would have been much better if such changes didn't exist or were at least tweaked in ways that fans could accept and even like them, but sadly, that wasn't what happened.
Since it wasn't done right the first time, giving the remake to Majora's Mask can be its way of redeeming itself for the underwhelming 3DS remake it received. Ocarina of Time clearly doesn't need it, especially since it already has one that many consider to be the definitive way to play the game.
For the second reason why Majora's Mask is more deserving of a Switch 2 version, it's because I believe it is simply far better than Ocarina of Time, and fans would enjoy it way more. There is no doubt that the first game deserves all the recognition it received, given how it gave Nintendo fans their first true taste of a 3D Zelda and the way it did so with a great story, fantastic music, and a memorable journey.
And yet, for all the good it did, Majora's Mask improved upon them all. While I could list down all of the things it did much better, like substantially improving Link's combat capabilities through the use of masks, there is one that I think stands above them all and makes the case why Ocarina of Time shouldn't have received the remake treatment: the way it gives life to its world.
In Majora's Mask, nearly every NPC has a schedule that you can choose to follow, and if you do, you get to learn about them and how they go about their lives before the impending doom that is the moon crashing upon them. It makes them feel like real people you want to save, and because of the bonds you could forge with them, you'll also grow attached to the different areas they're situated in and do everything possible to avoid total destruction.
While you can grow fond of the characters and places in Ocarina of Time, they're not as compelling as the ones from Majora's Mask, so you're less inclined to care about them. It's not that they aren't memorable in their own right, but they don't hold a candle to the ones in Majora's Mask, which is why it should have been given the second remake treatment instead.
It's a shame that Nintendo chose Ocarina of Time over its sequel for a new Switch 2 version, but it will still be something to look forward to. If anything, it can at least be utilized as a standard for when a potential remake of Majora's Mask on the console arrives, which will hopefully be in the future.
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