Know these 17 changes before playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2

17 Changes in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Remake Reveal How the 1998 Original Became a Rebuilt Hyrule

Background: The 1998 Adventure Arrives on Nintendo Switch 2

The original release of Ocarina of Time was in 1998, and the Nintendo Switch 2 remake presents 17 changes that rebuild Hyrule from the ground up. The most visible change is graphics. Hyrule Castle Town’s cobblestone roads and the wide expanse of Hyrule Field are recreated, and small touches such as the Goron-themed lanterns in Dodongo Cavern show how much attention the world received. Character models are also a major point of discussion. Link’s tunics contain details connecting them to the races that created them, and Sheik has been redesigned.

Voice acting is now part of the game, another modern addition. It cannot be turned off, but it can be switched to Japanese and is available in other languages too. Matt Mercer voices Ganondorf again. Amiibo support is included, and it can unlock additional items.

Development: One Save, Threads of Time, and the First Steps

A major system change is the save structure. The Switch 2 remake uses only one save file, copying the save mechanics from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, including autosaving. Returning fans should be careful when selecting New Game because they can accidentally overwrite their save file. The game also starts from the last saved location instead of forcing players to run back from Link’s House or the Temple of Time. Like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Link cannot be renamed, so Butt can no longer be the Hero of Time.

Navi is not gone entirely. She still gives advice on how to defeat enemies and remains vocal in some cutscenes, but she no longer tells players where to go. The Threads of Time now track the main adventure and the majority of side quests. Completing feats in Hyrule reveals new sections of the Threads of Time tapestry.

Link begins the game asleep, and beds have been added throughout Hyrule. Players can use beds to skip forward in time or restore health and magic. If visiting settlements such as Lon Lon Ranch or Goron City, finding a bed is worth the effort, though the beds also hide a secret.

Development: Hyrule’s Landscape, Villages, and Passing Time

Hyrule itself has been slightly reworked. Kokiri Forest’s village layout is a little different, while Kakariko Village has whole buildings placed in different locations. Some areas no longer use transition screens, such as the passage from Hyrule Field to Lon Lon Ranch, and Hyrule Field is more dangerous than it was before.

Navigation has been made easier in several places. Goron City has fewer offshooting tunnels, and musical notes show the correct path through the Lost Woods. The stealth section leading up to Princess Zelda has been shortened, though guards will still kick Link out if they spot him. Secret grottos are easier to find because all entrances are visible, and it is clear whether a bomb or the Song of Storms is needed.

The passage of time now has a stronger effect on Hyrule’s citizens. In places like Hyrule Castle Town and Kakariko Village, players can watch them go about daily routines. When Link returns to the Child timeline from the Adult timeline, some characters may behave differently. Time itself will not begin flowing until Link has met Princess Zelda, making Link’s first day as a hero a long one.

Two location names have changed: the Haunted Wasteland is now called the Mirage Desert, and the Desert Colossus is now the Evil Desert Colossus. Another visible addition is that ducks now swim on Lake Hylia.

Development: Dungeons, Bosses, and the Water Temple

Dungeons may seem untouched at first, but deeper changes are present. Some Gold Skulltulas have been moved, chests appear in different locations, and puzzles such as lighting a torch to leave the Compass room in the Great Deku Tree have been removed. Monsters appear in different areas, and combat can work differently depending on who Link is facing.

The Water Temple has the most changes. It was infamous for difficulty after Ocarina of Time’s original release in 1998, and the remake makes it a different, easier experience. Whole rooms and puzzles have been removed, and chests containing the Small Keys are easier to find. The Iron Boots button mapping from the Nintendo 3DS version has been retained. For players returning from the original, some rooms that no longer exist can feel disorienting at first, but the dungeon becomes more enjoyable once the new layout is understood. The escape from Ganondorf’s Castle is also a little more exciting.

The Hall of Fallen Foes lets players relive favorite boss fights as many times as desired. It keeps a record of time, including how long it takes to defeat Ganon. Three boss run challenges are gradually unlocked by progressing through the main story.

Great Fairies now require Rupee donations. The donation is only needed once, but players should make sure their wallet is full before visiting them. This system carries over from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and the Great Fairies also wear slightly more clothing than in the original game.

Spoiler warning: Latest Progression: Zora Domain and Expanded Story

The Zora Domain is a major story change. In the original game, the Zora Domain is frozen in the Adult timeline. In the Switch 2 remake, it unfreezes after completing the Water Temple. Players can return there, speak to Zora citizens who are recovering from being quite cold, and gain access to the Zora Domain shop as Adult Link.

The developers have used the remake to expand Ocarina of Time’s story. There are longer cutscenes and additional dialogue that give more life to Hyrule. Certain locations, such as the Forest Temple, receive more context, and the reasons behind specific events are clearer. The extended cutscene when Link first pulls the Master Sword is one of the most notable additions. For players planning a second playthrough, doing some events out of order can reveal small dialogue changes.

Latest Progression: Items, Masks, and Collectibles

Link’s items have changed as well. The Business Scrub Seed lets players summon a Business Scrub for shopping as long as they are outside a dungeon. If the Business Scrub does not have what the player needs, he returns the seed for later use. The Echo Gem helps find Gold Skulltulas. Link begins with the Kokiri Wallet, which can hold up to 200 Rupees, giving more cash for the Shooting Gallery in Hyrule Castle Town.

Adult Link can now wear masks, even though the mask trading sequence remains confined to the Child Link timeline. The Mask of Truth can read certain non-player characters’ minds, and people think different things in different eras. Another carryover from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is the quick item select option, making it easier to change items whenever desired.

Heart Pieces are still in the game, and four are still needed to earn an additional Heart Container. Some Heart Pieces have been moved to completely new locations, while others, such as the one found by locating the dog in Hyrule Castle Town, work slightly differently than before.

All 100 Gold Skulltulas are present, and they still give good rewards. Some are in slightly different locations, and one requires time travel to find. The Echo Gem makes tracking them easier.

The current stage of the Nintendo Switch 2 remake is a rebuilt version of the 1998 adventure that preserves the original’s structure while changing how players save, navigate, fight, and read Hyrule’s story.