Ex-Nintendo PR Leads: More Remakes Could Prevent Switch 2 Droughts

Ever feel like your console goes through dry spells where there's nothing new to play? Former Nintendo of America PR leads Krysta Yang and Kit Ellis think they have a solution: more remakes. On their podcast, they argued that Nintendo should lean into remakes to keep the Switch 2 library packed, especially as the company gears up for a new generation.

Nintendo's approach to remakes has always been a bit unpredictable. Unlike Capcom, which is remaking every Resident Evil, or Sony, which is reportedly working on a third The Last of Us remake, Nintendo drops remakes sporadically. Outside of Pokémon, they often use remakes to revive dormant series like Metroid, Star Fox, and Advance Wars, rather than revisiting their biggest hits. But that might be changing with the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake, which Ellis hopes is the start of a broader push.

"Nintendo should be even more focused on remakes," Ellis said on the podcast. He pointed to Star Fox and Ocarina of Time's 2026 returns as proof that there's "a significant audience" and "significant interest when these games are handled in a premium way." Ellis also noted that Nintendo's back catalog is unmatched: "If you're Nintendo, nobody has a library that's as deep as you." He added that the original Switch's lineup was bolstered by Wii U ports, and remakes could similarly supplement the Switch 2's schedule.

However, Ellis cautioned that balance is key. "You need to be careful" about the ratio of remakes to original titles, he said, to avoid appearing overly reliant on them. Still, he believes Nintendo could increase the remake percentage without facing "any significant pushback." Yang agreed, noting that remakes require fewer resources and can fill gaps between big games. "No company can survive if they only do like the crazy big like AAA innovative experience for every single game," she said. "You'll be Sony. You'll have a problem."

Yang was referencing the PS5's long stretches without major exclusives, a common complaint among players. But she also warned of the "dangerous thing" about remakes: they get "such positive reinforcement" that companies might overindex on them. If Ocarina of Time sells millions, Nintendo might think, "that was a way easier way" to make money than taking risks on new ideas. "That is the danger of this path that they're going down," she explained. "You could overindex on that pretty easily because you're getting so rewarded for it, making tons of money for very little work."

That said, Nintendo has other ways to fill gaps, like smaller entries such as Splatoon Raiders and Mario Sports titles. These unique spins on existing franchises offer something different from endless remakes. But with the Ocarina of Time remake on the horizon, it's clear remakes will play a big role in Nintendo's future. Will you be picking up the Ocarina of Time remake? What remakes do you want to see next?