Link Can Finally Jump in Ocarina of Time Remake—Here's What's New

Remember when Link's idea of jumping was just... stepping off a ledge? Well, those days are over. In the newly announced Ocarina of Time remake, Link can jump on command—yes, you read that right. Nintendo dropped this bombshell during today's Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, and it's already sparking debates among fans.

The remake is launching November 5, and during the Direct, Eiji Aonuma walked us through a 15-minute gameplay demo that showed off the new look and mechanics. The most jaw-dropping moment? Watching young Link hop across rocks in a pond—not because the game made him do it automatically, but because the player pressed a button. In the original N64 classic, Link would auto-jump when approaching ledges or gaps. Now, you're in control.

Aonuma himself noted that jumping might not seem like a big deal, but in the context of Ocarina of Time, it's a massive shift. The original game was built around fixed camera angles and scripted jumps, so giving players free jump control could totally change how you approach puzzles and exploration. And when you pair that with a new sprint mechanic (also shown in the demo), level design might need to be tweaked to keep things challenging. Could we see new shortcuts or hidden areas? Only time will tell.

The demo also gave us a fresh look at iconic locations like the Deku Tree, Hyrule Market, and Kokiri Forest, all sporting updated visuals that stay faithful to the original but add modern polish. But that's not all—Aonuma revealed some cool ocarina changes. You can now hum a tune or play it on a physical instrument, and the Switch 2's built-in microphone will register it. No more fumbling with button inputs when you're trying to warp across Hyrule.

And here's a surprise: the remake is borrowing a quality-of-life feature from Breath of the Wild. Quick-swapping between weapons was highlighted during the demo, making combat smoother and more strategic. Plus, the game will feature full voice acting. That means Navi might finally get a redemption arc, now that she can say more than just "Hey!" and "Listen!"—though we're still not sure if that's a blessing or a curse.

Oh, and for those who've been waiting for a Zelda-themed Switch 2? It's real. The console, along with a Pro Controller and carrying case, will launch on October 29—exactly one week before the remake drops. New Amiibo figures of Young Link and Young Zelda are also coming, but you'll have to wait until 2027 for those.

So, are you ready to make Link leap like never before? Will you be picking up the remake—and maybe that sweet Zelda Switch 2—when it hits shelves? Let us know in the comments!