Following the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2, series producer Eiji Aonuma and the game's producer Hidemaro Fujibayashi introduced their approach to the remake. The team leveraged the new hardware to improve graphics, controls, camera management, and overall feel, while preserving the experience the original creators intended to convey.
The project initially stemmed from discussions related to The Legend of Zelda's 40th-anniversary plans, after which the team decided to remake this Nintendo 64-era title. Aonuma did not disclose a specific start date for development. The remake was led by younger team members, with Aonuma mainly offering advice rather than dictating a single approach, hoping they would bring their own interpretations to the project.
The Water Temple exemplifies this remake philosophy. Players can now switch Iron Boots via quick actions, and the free-look camera helps with spatial awareness. Aonuma described it as his favorite version of the Water Temple.
The team did not deliberately add new Easter eggs to connect the series' timeline, instead prioritizing polishing the game itself. The developers hope that the remake will appeal to veteran players nostalgic for the original while also allowing new players accustomed to modern controls to get started smoothly.
Some cutscenes have been remade using new technology, including the game's ending. The producer hopes this will convey emotions that were not fully expressed in the original due to hardware limitations at the time.