Ocarina of Time Remake is Bigger Than Expected With New Gameplay Changes

Nintendo has confirmed manual jumping, sprinting, full camera control, expanded areas, new dialogue, and additional dungeon secrets for the Ocarina of Time remake.

Nintendo’s upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time promises more than updated graphics. Recent footage and confirmed details show big changes to Link’s movement, combat, exploration, and even some well-known places in Hyrule.

A major update is coming to how Link moves. Nintendo says Link will now be able to jump manually, sprint, and freely control the camera. These features could change how players explore Hyrule, solve puzzles, and fight enemies compared to the original Nintendo 64 game.

Combat is also getting some important changes. Japanese gameplay footage shows Link using a new shield or defense move to block laser attacks from Beamos statues. In the original game, players could not block these attacks the same way, so this new feature adds something fresh to familiar battles.

The Ocarina of Time Remake is expanding some familiar areas. Trailers show new buildings between Castle Town and Hyrule Castle, and a brand-new sewer section leading to the castle courtyard. These updates show that Nintendo is doing more than just improving the graphics.

Storytelling is also getting an upgrade with full voice acting, giving Nintendo a chance to add more depth to characters and events that originally had only a little text, plus additional changes inside the dungeons.

Footage has revealed a new bombable wall in the Water Temple that was not present in the original Nintendo 64 version.

While one new secret doesn't reveal how extensive the changes will be throughout the game, it suggests exploration may include surprises even for players who know the original title inside and out. Hyrule Field could also get new challenges that use Link’s new movement skills. The open area could include small trials or shrine-like tasks focused on jumping, sprinting, and camera control, plus minigames.

However, this is just speculation for now and not confirmed by Nintendo. Some Heart Pieces could be relocated, while familiar market activities may be adjusted to give returning players new challenges.

These changes could help prevent veteran fans from simply following their memories through the entire adventure. Adult Link is another topic fans are curious about. Because he is bigger, the new movement features might work differently for him compared to Young Link. However, Nintendo hasn’t shown enough Adult Link gameplay yet to explain how these changes will work.

With manual jumping, sprinting, improved camera control, bigger areas, new dialogue, voice acting, and new secrets already shown in footage, Ocarina of Time looks like much more than a visual update. Nintendo still has more to share, but these changes give returning players real reasons to explore Hyrule again.