If you were already excited about the Nintendo Switch 2 lineup, brace yourself. Two of the most requested games in Nintendo's history are reportedly in active development for the platform: a full remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and a brand-new Star Fox game. The claims come from prominent Nintendo insider Nate the Hate, who accurately leaked the Switch 2's reveal date ahead of Nintendo's official announcement. Video Games Chronicle has since stated the reports "match with what VGC has heard from our own sources," adding significant weight to the leaks.
That kind of corroboration matters when evaluating unconfirmed reports. This isn't speculation from a random forum post.
Ocarina of Time's iconic world
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What the Ocarina of Time remake actually means
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launched on Nintendo 64 in November 1998. It redefined 3D action-adventure games and has spent nearly three decades near the top of "greatest games ever made" lists. The prospect of a proper remake, not just a port or upscale, is something Nintendo fans have been requesting for years.
The reported release window targets the second half of 2026, potentially arriving during the holiday season. That timing aligns with two significant events: the Legend of Zelda franchise's 40th anniversary this year, and the live-action Zelda film currently scheduled for May 7, 2027. A major holiday release would serve as natural momentum heading into that movie.
What remains unclear is the scope of the project. The insider's words: "Maybe we get a 1:1 remake like akin to Demon Souls or maybe a remake that is free to explore design choices." That distinction matters. A faithful rebuild of the original versus something reimagined in a modern engine like Breath of the Wild's are fundamentally different products, and right now nobody outside Nintendo knows which direction they've chosen. Early details about the remake have started circulating online, though specifics about the final scope remain unconfirmed.
Star Fox is coming back, and sooner than Zelda
The Star Fox situation is arguably just as surprising. The franchise has been effectively dormant since Star Fox Zero launched on Wii U in 2016, a game that arrived to mixed reception and never received a Switch port. Before that, Star Fox 2 was completed for SNES but shelved until the SNES Classic Edition brought it to the public in 2017. That's nearly a decade without a mainline entry.
The new game is described as a "classic-style Star Fox game" with "very good" visuals and online multiplayer included. The reported release window is Summer 2026, which would put it ahead of the Ocarina of Time remake by several months. The game was originally intended as a surprise reveal following Fox McCloud's just-confirmed appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, where he will be voiced by Glen Powell.
The online multiplayer detail is worth paying attention to. Classic Star Fox games were primarily single-player experiences with competitive versus modes. A proper online multiplayer component would be a meaningful addition to the formula, assuming the reports prove accurate.
The rest of Nintendo's reported 2026 slate
The leaks didn't stop at two games. Nintendo's summer window is reportedly packed:
- Splatoon Raiders (described as an adventure spinoff)
- Rhythm Heaven: Groove
- Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
- A new Nintendo Switch Sports entry
- Switch 2 Editions of Pikmin 4 and Xenoblade 2
Late 2026 is then expected to feature FromSoftware's Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods alongside the Ocarina of Time remake.
One notable absence from the 2026 lineup: a new 3D Mario game. Nintendo's follow-up to Super Mario Odyssey, which launched in 2017, is reportedly in development but won't arrive until 2027. That's a long wait for fans of the franchise, though it does mean Nintendo's biggest IPs are spread across two years rather than cannibalizing each other.
As for when any of this gets officially announced, the insider suggests Nintendo won't hold a general Direct broadcast until June 2026. So the confirmed news may still be months away.
Before vs. after: Switch 2's lineup just changed shape
Before these reports, the Switch 2's 2026 catalog looked solid but not spectacular. The Duskbloods was the headline exclusive, with various ports and Nintendo Switch Editions filling the gaps. The picture now looks considerably different if even half of these leaks prove accurate.
The Ocarina of Time remake in particular carries serious weight as a potential system-seller. Ocarina is one of those titles that defined what 3D game design could be when it released nearly 28 years ago, and a modern rebuild would attract both longtime fans and players who never experienced the original. Nintendo's June Direct, whenever it arrives, is shaping up to be one of the most watched in years. Keep an eye on the latest gaming news as more details emerge in the months ahead.