The Legend of Zelda fans are just mere days away from getting to revisit Ocarina of Time in a completely new way with the remake for the Switch 2. Ocarina of Time is a game that is near and dear to many gamers’ hearts, and it also presents the opportunity for younger gamers to experience one of The Legend of Zelda‘s most iconic entries for the very first time. The original Ocarina of Time for the N64 was my introduction to Zelda, and it’s wild to realize just how far the franchise has come since then. It seems as though the Switch 2 remake has an easy victory when it comes to the console’s November release schedule, but a surprising competitor might shake things up.
Since the GTA 6 launch is just a few weeks away, there aren’t that many new games launching this month. However, Ocarina of Time has staked its claim on the early November window, showing that Nintendo isn’t afraid of Rockstar’s juggernaut. Ocarina of Time has captured the Switch 2 spotlight this month, but Stellar Blade‘s arrival on the Nintendo console could make November 5 more competitive than anticipated.
Stellar Blade’s Switch 2 Launch Could Throw a Small Wrench in the Ocarina of Time Remake’s Plans
Of course, it’s incredibly unlikely that Stellar Blade on the Switch 2 surpasses Ocarina of Time. Nintendo’s Zelda remake has been rumored for a long time, and the months-long anticipation has continued to ignite hype for the game. Apart from the Super Mario franchise, The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most successful IP, and the Switch 2 player base is more likely to gravitate towards first-party exclusives. That doesn’t mean Stellar Blade will be completely ignored, though.
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Stellar Blade has been one of the most popular action adventure games of the past five years. The game was a huge financial success, and the two years since its launch has given non-PS5 players a better idea of what to expect with gameplay. Coming to the Switch 2 two years after its initial launch actually gives it an advantage. There is a lot more hands-on gameplay feedback to reference, which could lead some Switch 2 users to opt for Stellar Blade over Ocarina of Time. As the Ocarina of Time reviews start to trickle in, it could sway gamers’ decisions one way or the other.
Ocarina of Time has captured the Switch 2 spotlight this month, but Stellar Blade‘s arrival on the Nintendo console could make November 5 more competitive than anticipated.
Nintendo’s Third-Party Push Has Caused an Unexpected Hiccup
So many third-party games coming to the Switch 2 is a good thing. However, this has also caused a game that was once a PS5 exclusive to step in on Nintendo’s own turf. It’s honestly surprising that Nintendo allowed a November 5 launch date for any game other than the Ocarina of Time remake. The influx of third-party games is a big deal for the company, but that hasn’t stopped Nintendo from being incredibly protective of its own IP. Nintendo exclusives are still put first, which makes Stellar Blade‘s November 5 launch date that much more baffling.
Stellar Blade isn’t the only game coming to the Nintendo console on Ocarina of Time‘s release date, either. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is also set to get its very own Switch 2 port on November 5. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy being five years old makes it a much less intimidating competitor, though. Stellar Blade is still pretty fresh, and since a sequel was confirmed earlier this year, there is even more incentive to check it out. Nintendo is banking on both longtime fan nostalgia and newcomer interest to fuel Ocarina of Time‘s success, but there is a chance that some gamers who fall into the former category will be more interested in a completely new game than a revamped trip down memory lane.
Ocarina of Time Is Destined to Be One of November’s Biggest Games
It’s quite possible that Stellar Blade will make a small dent in Ocarina of Time‘s sales, but it would be surprising if it caused a significant dip. Whether it’s a brand-new game or a remake, a new Zelda game is incredibly hard for Nintendo fans to ignore. The franchise has managed to stay strong for 40 years for a good reason. The Legend of Zelda is a franchise that has inspired multiple generations of gamers, and that’s something Stellar Blade simply can’t compete with at this stage.
The most fascinating showdown of November 2026 will ultimately be Ocarina of Time and GTA 6. Nothing is set in stone, but GTA 6 taking the crown is pretty much a given, since Rockstar’s game is anticipated to be a record-breaking moment for the entire industry. Seeing how many people show up for Ocarina of Time will still be deeply compelling, though. Nintendo could have followed the same path as other AAA companies and side-stepped a November launch window entirely. Games like Fable have been pushed back to avoid GTA 6, so Nintendo doing the same would have been completely understandable. Nintendo’s decision to debut Ocarina of Time before GTA 6 is a pretty fun demonstration of the company’s confidence, and it makes this Zelda remake even more intriguing.
- Released
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November 5, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
