THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME, 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
TAKE THIS DEEP DIVE, IT'S DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE
Nintendo has unveiled a full reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, and whether you're admiring the reimagined environments or discussing Young Link's refreshed look, one thing is certain: the excitement is undeniable. The highly anticipated Switch 2 exclusive drops on November 5, 2026. As showcased in Nintendo's recent Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, this goes well beyond a basic HD texture upgrade. Series producer Eiji Aonuma describes it as a "faithful interpretation using modern technologies," which means a significant visual transformation based on the numerous stills that have been released.

SETTING
The game takes place in Hyrule, a fantasy realm featured throughout the Legend of Zelda series. A vast central plain connects various regions, each with distinct landscapes and inhabitants. The eastern territories include a woodland inhabited by fairy-accompanied forest dwellers and a waterway populated by aquatic beings. The northern area contains the royal castle, its adjacent settlement, and a mountain village where stone-eating creatures live. A desert in the west is controlled by a predominantly female society ruled by a male leader born only once per century. At the heart of the central plain lies a farm famous for its livestock and dairy products, while a southern lake offers recreational fishing and houses an aquatic temple.
MEET THE CHARACTERS
Players control a young protagonist from a forest community who, unlike his peers, initially lacks a fairy companion until one is assigned to guide him. This companion helps with gameplay mechanics and offers assistance throughout the journey. During his adventure, the hero forms friendships with various characters including a ranch owner's daughter, a mountain tribe leader, and an aquatic princess. He also encounters royalty, their protector, and a desert king who serves as an antagonist. In his older years, the protagonist meets a sage who takes on a disguised form, a desert resistance leader, and a mysterious masked ally. Magical beings also provide him with special powers along the way. Keep reading for further details about each of these characters and their roles in the story.
RAURU
Rauru is the Sage of Light and the keeper of the Temple of Light. Rauru is wise, calm, and serves as a mentor figure throughout Link's journey. When Link pulls the Master Sword as a child, his spirit is sealed in the Sacred Realm for seven years because he's too young to be the Hero of Time. Rauru protects Link during this time and awakens him as an adult. He explains Link's destiny and guides him on his quest to awaken the other sages and defeat Ganondorf.
IMPA
Impa is a recurring name among the Sheikah, an enigmatic clan devoted to safeguarding Hyrule's royal lineage across generations. Those bearing this name typically serve as protectors and companions to Princess Zelda, acting as guardians or advisors. Throughout the series, each Impa also provides crucial assistance and direction to Link during his adventures. In Ocarina of Time, Impa is Princess Zelda's Sheikah bodyguard and caretaker. She helps Zelda escape Ganondorf, teaches Link "Zelda's Lullaby," and leads him to Kakariko Village, which she founded. Later, she's revealed as the Sage of Shadow after Link cleanses the Shadow Temple, and she helps seal Ganondorf in the Sacred Realm.
PRINCESS ZELDA
Princess Zelda is the titular character and primary female protagonist of The Legend of Zelda series. She is the princess and often the ruler of Hyrule, descended from the goddess Hylia. In this game, Princess Zelda is Hyrule's young ruler who has prophetic visions of Ganondorf's treachery. She sends Link to collect the Spiritual Stones and later escapes with the Ocarina of Time when Ganondorf attacks. During Link's seven-year absence, she disguises herself as Sheik, a mysterious warrior who guides adult Link. After Ganondorf's defeat, she reveals herself as the Sage of Time, helps seal him away, and sends Link back to his childhood.
NAVI
Navi is a fairy assigned by the Great Deku Tree to accompany Link on his quest. She serves as Link's guide and companion throughout the adventure, providing hints, targeting enemies during combat, and offering advice on puzzles and bosses. Navi is notable for her frequent "Hey! Listen!" alerts to get Link's attention. Despite Link being a Kokiri without a fairy initially, Navi stays by his side through his entire journey. At the game's conclusion, after Link returns the Master Sword and is sent back to his childhood, Navi mysteriously departs, leaving Link alone.
MALON
Malon is a cheerful girl who lives at Lon Lon Ranch. As a child, she teaches Link "Epona's Song" and introduces him to her horse, Epona. Seven years later, the ranch has been taken over by the greedy Ingo. Link uses the song to bond with the grown Epona, wins her in a race, and frees the ranch. Malon is known for her kindness, love of horses, and singing.
DURUNIA
Darunia is the leader of the Gorons and the Sage of Fire. He's known for his gruff but warm personality and loyalty. When Young Link meets him, he notices Darunia is worried about the Gorons' food source, which becomes infested by monsters called Dodongos. Link cheers him up by playing "Saria's Song," and clears out the Dodongos. Grateful, Darunia gives Link the Goron's Ruby and names him his Sworn Brother. Seven years later, after Link defeats Volvagia in the Fire Temple, Darunia awakens as the Sage of Fire.
RUTO
Ruto is the princess of the Zoras and the Sage of Water. As a child, she's spoiled and bossy. Link rescues her from inside Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly, and she gives him the Zora's Sapphire, calling it an engagement gift. Seven years later, after Link defeats Morpha in the Water Temple, Ruto awakens as the Sage of Water. She acknowledges her duties as a Sage prevent their "engagement," showing her growth from a selfish child to a responsible leader.
NABOORU
Nabooru is a high-ranking Gerudo and the Sage of Spirit. She's known for her strong sense of justice and independence. Unlike Ganondorf, she opposes his evil ways. As a child, Link meets her at the Spirit Temple, but she gets kidnapped and brainwashed by Twinrova (Ganondorf's surrogate mothers). Seven years later, Link faces the brainwashed Nabooru as a boss, then defeats Twinrova to break the curse. Nabooru awakens as the Sage of Spirit.

LINK
Link is Nintendo's iconic hero who appears across the The Legend of Zelda series in different incarnations. He's a courageous, silent protagonist and the Hero of Time destined to battle evil and save Hyrule. He's known for his green tunic, Master Sword, and as the bearer of the Triforce of Courage.
He's raised in Kokiri Forest as an outcast because he lacks a fairy. He's actually a Hylian orphan—his mother died in the forest during a war, leaving him with the Great Deku Tree. When Link pulls the Master Sword as a child, he's sealed for seven years until he's old enough to be the hero. He awakens as an adult, frees the six sages, and defeats Ganondorf to save Hyrule.
GANONDORF
Ganondorf is the main antagonist and King of the Gerudo tribe—the only male born in a century. He's Link's eternal nemesis and the embodiment of evil. He pretends to serve the King of Hyrule while plotting to steal the Triforce. When Link opens the Sacred Realm, Ganondorf seizes the Triforce of Power and transforms Hyrule into a wasteland. Link must awaken the six sages to seal him away in the Sacred Realm.
Ganondorf (also called Ganon in beast form) is the primary villain of the The Legend of Zelda series and bearer of the Triforce of Power. He repeatedly reincarnates across timelines to conquer Hyrule and obtain the complete Triforce.

SPOILERS AHEAD

THE FULL STORY
Link, a young boy from Kokiri Forest, is tasked by the Great Deku Tree to stop Ganondorf, the Gerudo King, from obtaining the Triforce. Guided by his fairy Navi, Link collects three spiritual stones and meets Princess Zelda, who warns him of Ganondorf's evil plans. When Link pulls the Master Sword from the Temple of Time, he's sealed for seven years, allowing Ganondorf to conquer Hyrule and claim the Triforce of Power.
Link awakens as an adult in a corrupted kingdom. Guided by the mysterious Sheik, he travels across Hyrule to awaken six sages by cleansing temples—including the Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow, and Spirit Temples. He discovers the sages are his friends: Saria, Darunia, Ruto, Impa, Nabooru, and Rauru. Together with Zelda (revealed as Sheik and the seventh sage), they grant Link access to Ganondorf's castle. After defeating Ganondorf and his demon form Ganon, the sages seal him in the Sacred Realm. Zelda uses the Ocarina of Time to send Link back to his childhood, restoring peace to Hyrule.
ON THE BIG SCREEN
The Legend of Zelda is an upcoming fantasy adventure film based on Nintendo's iconic video game series. Directed by Wes Ball and written by T. S. Nowlin, this live-action adaptation is produced by Columbia Pictures, Nintendo, and OddBall Entertainment. The cast includes Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda, and Uli Latukefu as Ganondorf.
The plot is said to follow the game's usual structure. Link must protect the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganondorf, a warlock king seeking the Triforce—an ancient relic of limitless power. Link embarks on a dangerous journey to save Princess Zelda and the kingdom.
The film releases in the United States on April 30, 2027, distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing.

TRAILERS

The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct
Adventure through Hyrule and become the Hero of Time when The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time releases November 5, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2.









