Nintendo is prioritizing both new game development and the creation of remakes, viewing them as of equal importance to its software strategy, according to Nate Bihldorff, Nintendo of America's SVP of product development and publishing. This approach is evident in the Switch 2's second year, which has seen major remakes like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time alongside original titles.
Speaking with Polygon, Bihldorff highlighted the anticipation surrounding the Ocarina of Time remake, noting that the development team was enthusiastic about the project despite the original game's revered status. "They knew the challenge that was before them when they decided to take on this project, but you can also read the enthusiasm in all of their comments about how excited they got, once they actually got in the mix, to bring this to a new generation of people," Bihldorff stated.
The capabilities of the Switch 2 hardware have allowed developers to enhance Ocarina of Time in ways not possible with the original's mid-90s technology. Zelda producer Hidemaro Fujibayashi previously told Polygon that the new hardware offered an opportunity to "really explore thoroughly what that kind of gameplay and game design is."
Bihldorff emphasized that while new entries in established franchises are crucial, revisiting beloved titles like Ocarina of Time offers a unique satisfaction. He also pointed out that for players who never experienced the original, the remake provides a completely new adventure. "There are fans of every single IP that we have out there. Of course, having new games in those series is wonderful, and I look forward to them as much as anyone else does, but there’s also a deep satisfaction in revisiting games that were very, very special, like Ocarina of Time," he said.
This dual focus allows Nintendo to balance niche titles and established IPs with high-profile remakes, a strategy that has proven successful. Even unconventional releases like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream have become financial successes for the Switch 2. Bihldorff concluded that the company's willingness to take risks, bolstered by their consistent success, defines their current creative direction.