Nintendo Pays Homage to Original 1998 Commercial for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in New Remake Trailer

Nintendo has unveiled a fresh The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake trailer that draws inspiration from the 1998 commercial for the N64 classic—allowing us to compare it with the original. A trip down memory lane to 1998 might bring back the memory of a commercial for Ocarina of Time that included phrases like "A dark time is approaching," "Willst thou run?" and "Have ye what it takes?"

Nintendo has mirrored this commercial in a new trailer for the Ocarina of Time remake. The trailer features similar visuals and even some of the same dialogue, such as the question, "Willst thou flee? Or Fight?" as Link faces off against Ganondorf on horseback, just as he does in the original trailer. A recent comparison video showcases just how closely the remake echoes the iconic commercial.

The response to the new trailer has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans reminiscing about their cherished gaming evenings on CRT televisions. While the remake shares many similarities with the original commercial, it notably omits the custom-recorded version of the track Riddle of Steel / Riders of Doom from the 1982 film Conan the Barbarian, due to music rights.

Nintendo has been ramping up its marketing efforts for the Ocarina of Time remake, releasing multiple commercials ahead of the game's November 5, 2026 launch on Nintendo Switch 2. Recent TV spots in Japan reveal glimpses of unseen characters, including Dark Link. With an extensive hands-on preview and a roundup of the game's changes compared to the N64 masterpiece, IGN has provided insight into the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.

Fans can also enjoy a special episode of Nintendo Voice Chat, delving deeper into their Zelda preview.