Once a generation, a game arrives that reshapes what players believe interactive storytelling can be — and Ocarina of Time was that game in 1998. Now, as the Legend of Zelda series marks four decades of existence, Nintendo is said to be preparing a substantial remake of that landmark title for late 2026, positioning it as the defining experience for its Switch 2 hardware. The move suggests Nintendo is betting on the weight of its own history, choosing reverence over novelty at a moment when the industry watches closely to see whether beloved classics can be meaningfully reborn.
Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake eyed for 2026; 3D Mario delayed to 2027
One of the most influential video games ever made, reimagined for a new console.
Mark
Why would Nintendo sit on a Zelda announcement this long if it's really coming in the second half of the year?
Mimi
That's the question everyone's asking. The anniversary passed in February. A teaser then would have been smart marketing. Maybe they're waiting for a specific event, or maybe they're still deciding if this is really the move.
Mark
Do we know how much of a remake we're talking about here? Is this a graphics update or a full reimagining?
Mimi
That's the thing—nobody knows. The 3DS version already did graphics and 3D. If they're asking people to buy it again, it has to be more than that. A full remake with new systems, new dungeons, something substantial.
Mark
Ten years without a 3D Mario seems like a long time for Nintendo.
Mimi
It is. But they've been busy with other things. The question is whether waiting until 2027 is strategic or just how the timeline worked out. Either way, pairing it with a major Pokémon release makes 2027 look very strong.
Mark
How reliable is this insider actually?
Mimi
NateTheHate called the Switch 2 launch details correctly. That's the kind of thing that's hard to guess. And when VGC confirms it independently, that adds weight. But Nintendo could still change plans.
Mark
What does this say about Nintendo's confidence in the Switch 2?
Mimi
Maybe they think they need a heavy hitter like Zelda to drive adoption. Or maybe they're just spacing out their biggest franchises. Hard to say without hearing from Nintendo directly.
The Pulse
- The gaming community's assumption that a new 3D Mario would headline Nintendo's 2026 holiday season has been upended by credible insider reports pointing to an Ocarina of Time remake instead.
- Nintendo faces a genuine credibility challenge: with the original already accessible on Switch Online and a 3DS overhaul still in living memory, a new remake must offer a transformative reimagining to justify its existence.
- The company's unusual silence — no announcement despite the Zelda 40th anniversary passing in February and Zelda Lego sets already on store shelves — is creating a vacuum of confusion and speculation.
- Multiple trusted sources, including NateTheHate and VGC, have independently converged on the same roadmap, a rare alignment that lends the leaks unusual weight for a company as secretive as Nintendo.
- The delay of 3D Mario to 2027 sets up a potentially historic year, pairing a new Mario entry with Pokémon Winds and Waves — the first core 3D Mario release in a full decade since Odyssey.
Once a generation, a game arrives that reshapes what players believe interactive storytelling can be — and Ocarina of Time was that game in 1998. Now, as the Legend of Zelda series marks four decades of existence, Nintendo is said to be preparing a substantial remake of that landmark title for late 2026, positioning it as the defining experience for its Switch 2 hardware. The move suggests Nintendo is betting on the weight of its own history, choosing reverence over novelty at a moment when the industry watches closely to see whether beloved classics can be meaningfully reborn.
Nintendo's 2026 holiday plans appear to have taken an unexpected turn. Rather than unveiling a successor to Super Mario Odyssey as most observers anticipated, the company is reportedly preparing a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as the flagship title for its Switch 2 console. The claim comes from NateTheHate, an insider whose previous Switch 2 launch predictions proved accurate, and has since been corroborated by the industry outlet VGC.
The logic behind the choice is rooted in anniversary symbolism. The Zelda series turns 40 this year, and Ocarina of Time — released on Nintendo 64 in 1998 — remains one of the most celebrated and influential games ever made. A sweeping remake could serve as a landmark commemoration. But Nintendo must clear a meaningful bar: the game already received a 3DS update in 2011 and is currently playable through Switch Online, meaning a new version would need to offer something genuinely transformative to earn its price tag.
What makes the situation stranger is Nintendo's silence. The Zelda anniversary passed on February 21st without a word, even as Zelda-branded Lego sets appeared on shelves with no announcement to anchor them. In Western markets where Switch 2 sales have reportedly been soft, an early reveal might have provided a meaningful boost.
Meanwhile, 3D Mario has been pushed entirely out of 2026. NateTheHate confirmed on his podcast that the franchise will not appear this holiday season, making 2027 the year when both a new 3D Mario and Pokémon Winds and Waves are expected to arrive — a remarkable pairing, and the first core 3D Mario entry in ten years. A new Star Fox title has also been predicted for 2026, with VGC independently verifying that claim. Nintendo has confirmed none of this officially, but the rare convergence of multiple credible sources suggests the outline of a real plan is beginning to take shape.
Nintendo's holiday season lineup for 2026 is shaping up to look very different from what many in the gaming community have been expecting. According to insider sources with a track record of accurate leaks, the company is planning to release a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in the second half of this year, positioning it as the marquee title for the Switch 2 rather than the widely anticipated next installment in the 3D Mario franchise.
The speculation around Nintendo's big Christmas game has been intense. Most observers assumed a successor to Super Mario Odyssey was the obvious choice, especially after the company announced Pokémon Winds and Waves for 2027. That announcement seemed to confirm the theory that Mario would anchor 2026. But according to NateTheHate, an insider whose previous leaks about the Switch 2's launch proved accurate, Nintendo has a different strategy in mind. His reporting has been corroborated by VGC, one of the industry's most trusted sources.
The timing of an Ocarina of Time remake makes a certain kind of sense. The Legend of Zelda series is marking its 40th anniversary this year, and the original Ocarina of Time, released on Nintendo 64 in 1998, remains widely regarded as one of the most influential video games ever made. A substantial remake could serve as a fitting celebration. That said, Nintendo faces a credibility problem with a remake. The company released a minor overhaul on the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, complete with updated graphics and stereoscopic 3D. The original is also available on Nintendo Switch Online. For players to justify a new purchase, the remake would need to offer meaningful improvements—the kind of comprehensive reimagining that justifies the investment.
What's peculiar is that Nintendo hasn't officially announced anything yet. The Zelda anniversary actually passed on February 21st. A teaser or announcement months ago might have helped drive Switch 2 sales in Western markets, where the console has reportedly struggled. The silence is notable, especially given that Zelda Lego sets are already on shelves, waiting for context.
Meanwhile, 3D Mario is being pushed to 2027. NateTheHate was explicit on his podcast: the franchise will not arrive in the 2026 holiday window. That means 2027 will see both a new 3D Mario game and Pokémon Winds and Waves—a formidable one-two punch. It's also a striking statistic: it will have been a full decade since Super Mario Odyssey launched. Other Mario titles have released in the interim, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Super Mario 3D World plus Bowser's Fury, but nothing in the core 3D line.
The leaks extend beyond Zelda and Mario. NateTheHate has also predicted a new Star Fox game for 2026, a claim that VGC has independently verified. The convergence of reporting from multiple trusted insiders is unusual for Nintendo, a company that typically keeps its roadmap tightly sealed. None of this is guaranteed—Nintendo could change course, or the leaks could be wrong. But the consistency across sources suggests something real is in motion. For now, the official word from Nintendo remains silent, leaving players to parse rumors and wonder what the company actually has planned.
Notable Quotes
One game that will not be releasing in holiday 2026 is 3D Mario. 3D Mario will be releasing in 2027.— NateTheHate, on his podcast
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