Nintendo has yet to officially announce the next mainline Legend of Zelda game, but that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from getting unusually active in May 2026. Between claims of an Ocarina of Time remake for the Nintendo Switch 2 and a possible new 2D Zelda game targeting a 2027 launch, there may be some big things in store for fans of the franchise.
For now, though, every new Legend of Zelda game claim should still be treated as a rumor and nothing more. Nintendo’s currently known Switch 2 lineup already includes games like Star Fox, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Splatoon Raiders, and Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, but no new Zelda game has been officially revealed. That said, the recent confirmation of Star Fox has made one particular Zelda rumor much harder to ignore, especially since that game was reportedly part of the same larger leak that mentioned Ocarina of Time coming back on the Switch 2.
The Legend of Zelda is Set to Dominate with 3 Big Releases
The Legend of Zelda fans have a lot to look forward to over the next year, with 3 distinct releases in the works.
The Ocarina of Time Remake Is the Biggest Zelda Rumor Right Now
The most prominent Zelda rumor circulating right now claims that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting a full remake for the Nintendo Switch 2. This rumor gained traction earlier this year when leaker NateTheHate claimed in a video on his YouTube channel that Nintendo was preparing an Ocarina of Time remake for the second half of the year. At the time, the rumor was interesting but still easy to keep at arm’s length, as Zelda fans have been burned plenty of times by reports of classic games making a return on modern hardware.
What has changed, though, is the context around the leak. NateTheHate also claimed that a new Star Fox game was coming to the Switch 2, and Nintendo has now officially revealed Star Fox for a June 25, 2026 release. Judging by what was shown during the Star Fox direct, the new game is essentially a remake of Star Fox 64 and includes upgraded visuals, redesigned characters, online multiplayer, mouse controls, and even support for the N64 controller. That doesn’t necessarily confirm the Ocarina of Time rumor, but it does mean at least one major part of the leak that included Star Fox has now been validated.
While it’s still nothing more than a rumor, the timing actually makes sense. Ocarina of Time is one of the most important games in Nintendo’s history, Zelda‘s 40th anniversary was earlier this year, and the live-action Legend of Zelda movie is currently scheduled for a May 7, 2027 theatrical release. In other words, Nintendo has every reason to keep the franchise in the spotlight, even if that doesn’t actually prove that an Ocarina of Time remake is indeed happening.
The Newest Leak Claims Ocarina of Time Is Being Rebuilt From Scratch
There’s another element to the Ocarina of Time remake rumor that comes from Nash Weedle, who has reportedly claimed that the alleged remake is more ambitious than a simple HD remaster. According to the rumor, the game is supposedly being rebuilt from scratch, has supposedly been in development since 2022, may involve Monolith Soft, and could be revealed during a June Nintendo Direct before launching near the end of 2026.
Attached to that same claim is the idea that the rumored Ocarina of Time remake could be split into two parts, in a similar fashion to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, with one part revolving around Child Link and the other around Adult Link. However, this is the one claim fans should take with a grain of salt more than the rest, as releasing the alleged remake in that format could ruin the experience, as the original game is built around the relationship between the two time periods. Since Nintendo is fully aware of that, this part of the rumor feels the most unlikely.
A New 2D Zelda Game May Be Planned for 2027
The second major Zelda rumor points in an altogether different direction. Instead of another remake, this one suggests Nintendo and Grezzo may be co-developing a new 2D Zelda game for the Switch 2. This claim also comes from Nash Weedle, who mentioned the game in a recent podcast and said it was given the codename “Bernard.” Richard and Edward are reportedly codenames that were given to the Link’s Awakening remake and Echoes of Wisdom, which has led to even further speculation, particularly involving the game’s protagonist.
There have been suggestions that the next 2D Zelda game could feature Ganondorf in a major playable or protagonist-like role. That would obviously be a huge departure for the series, especially following Echoes of Wisdom, which already broke tradition by putting Zelda in the lead role. However, this appears to be an assumption based around the game’s rumored codename, Bernard. The idea is that Grezzo codenamed each project after a European king, with Richard, a king known for his courage, being the codename for Link’s Awakening and Edward, a king known for his wisdom, being the codename for Echoes of Wisdom.
With Link possessing the Triforce of Courage and Zelda possessing the Triforce of Wisdom, that leaves Ganondorf, who frequently possesses the Triforce of Power throughout the series. King Bernard of Italy wasn’t known for his absolute power, but he was a displaced king who rebelled against an imperial succession order. That alone could fit a Zelda story interested in Ganondorf as a king before he becomes the monster Hyrule knows him to be.
Zelda’s Next Few Years Could Be Busier Than They Look
The reason these rumors are getting so much attention is because Zelda‘s official future is unusually open right now. Tears of the Kingdom launched in 2023, Echoes of Wisdom followed in 2024, and the live-action Legend of Zelda movie is scheduled for 2027. Between those milestones, the Nintendo Switch 2 still needs its first major Zelda moment.
That moment could be an Ocarina of Time remake, a new 2D game, or something Nintendo has managed to keep completely hidden. For now, the Ocarina of Time remake is the rumor with the most momentum, largely because of the Star Fox connection. The 2D Zelda rumor is certainly interesting, but it’s more cryptic and less concrete. Until Nintendo makes an official announcement, the safest conclusion is that Zelda fans have plenty to watch, but nothing to count on just yet. Nevertheless, it feels like a major Switch 2 Zelda reveal could be on the horizon, as the timing feels almost perfect.
- Released
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November 21, 1998
- ESRB
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E10+ for Everyone 10+: Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
- Engine
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Zelda 64 Engine
