Nintendo and Switch 2, Two Big New(?) Releases

In this 2026, Nintendo has announced two titles for Switch 2 that represent the culmination of a path already marked in the past by several remakes and re-releases.

Will they become the new point of reference for enthusiasts, or will they remain a commercial operation to promote the Nintendo console?

Only time can tell!

Originally released in 1998 on Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is considered one of the most influential video games in history.

The first three-dimensional episode of the series introduced mechanics that would become standard for modern action-adventures, such as the target-lock system and an explorable world full of secrets.

Even today it is cited as one of the most important titles ever made. 

The first major re-release arrived in 2002 on GameCube with the famous promotional disc The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest.

In addition to the original version, the disc included Master Quest, a reworking of the game initially developed for the 64DD expansion and characterized by completely redesigned dungeons, more complex puzzles, and a noticeably higher difficulty.

For many enthusiasts, it still represents the definitive version of the classic challenge of Ocarina of Time. 

In 2011, Nintendo and Grezzo created the first true remake with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D for Nintendo 3DS.

The game featured updated polygonal models, improved textures, support for stereoscopic 3D, and numerous quality-of-life improvements, including more intuitive inventory management and changes to the famous Water Temple.

Master Quest mode was included from the very beginning, making this edition one of the most complete ever released. 

After years of rumors, Nintendo finally announced in June 2026 a new full remake of Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2.

Unlike the 3DS version, this will be a complete reconstruction designed for modern hardware, with completely revamped graphics and an interpretation intended to bring the 1998 classic to a new generation of players.

The release is expected by the end of 2026. 

If Ocarina of Time is one of Nintendo’s most anticipated remakes, Star Fox 64 is probably the title that more than any other has gone through a long series of re-releases and reinterpretations. Released in 1997 on Nintendo 64, the game revolutionized the rail shooter genre thanks to support for the Rumble Pak, full voice acting, and a structure based on multiple paths that greatly increased its replay value. 

In the following years, the title was distributed through various Nintendo platforms, but the most important step came in 2011 with Star Fox 64 3D for Nintendo 3DS. This remake introduced updated graphics, stereoscopic effects, gyroscope controls, and a completely revised technical foundation, while keeping the structure of the original intact. 

The saga then continued to adopt the same narrative approach through works such as Star Fox Zero on Wii U, considered by many to be more of a reinterpretation than a true remake. The discussion about Nintendo’s tendency to keep returning to Star Fox 64 has become a recurring topic in the fan community, which has been waiting for years for a completely new installment. 

In 2026 Nintendo announced a new remake for Switch 2, set for release on June 26 of that same year, bringing Fox McCloud and the war in the Lylat system back into the spotlight once again.

The choice confirms how Star Fox 64 continues to represent the absolute benchmark of the series, nearly thirty years after its original release, but for some it could be a form of fossilization given that there have been no new developments in the saga.

Sure, considering certain experiments that have been done with the brand, it could be a justified choice... If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?