Quick TakeArticle at a glance
- Eiji Aonuma, longtime producer of The Legend of Zelda, was formally knighted into France's Order of Arts and Letters in an October 23, 2026 Paris ceremony, three years after France first named him to the order in 2023.
- Days later, Aonuma said he's “all nervous” about how the Ocarina of Time remake will be received when it launches on Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.
- Much of the remake was built by developers who never played the 1998 original, which Aonuma says pushed the team toward fresh ideas rather than a straight re-creation.
Eiji Aonuma, the producer who has guided The Legend of Zelda since Ocarina of Time in 1998, was formally knighted into France’s Order of Arts and Letters on October 23, 2026. Nine days later, with the Ocarina of Time remake about to launch on Switch 2, he admitted he’s nervous about how it will land with fans.
Why France Knighted Eiji Aonuma
France named Aonuma a Chevalier (Knight) of the Order of Arts and Letters back in November 2023, but the formal medal ceremony didn’t happen until October 23, 2026, at the Ministry of Culture in Paris. French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard presented the honor in person, calling Aonuma “a storyteller who always leaves room for the player’s imagination.”
Aonuma closed the ceremony in French, thanking his wife for following him this far and inviting her to “continue the adventure together.”
Aonuma Is “All Nervous” About the Ocarina of Time Remake
Just days after the knighting ceremony, Aonuma told reporters he’s “all nervous about releasing the remake of Ocarina, because I don’t know how it’s going to turn out — I can’t stop thinking about it.”
That anxiety tracks with the stakes: Ocarina of Time scored a 99 on Metacritic when it released in 1998, one of the highest scores any game has ever received, and nearly three decades of expectation ride on any attempt to touch it.
Part of what makes Aonuma nervous is also what makes the remake distinct: many of the developers who worked on it never played the original N64 game before starting. “It’s thanks to these young people, by thinking about how to adapt the game in the best possible way, how to make it fun once you have the controls in your hands, that this remake came into being,” Aonuma said. He’s framed that as a strength rather than a gap — telling GamesRadar+ he’s “very interested to see what the younger staff will imagine” as he steps into more of a guidance role for whatever comes after this remake.
When the Ocarina of Time Remake Comes Out
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026, for $59.99 digital or $69.99 physical. Nintendo confirmed three mechanical additions not in the 1998 original — a dedicated sprint move, a jump button, and diving — during September’s Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct.
For the full pricing and pre-order breakdown, see our Ocarina of Time Switch 2 pre-order guide, and for a shot-by-shot look at the gameplay, our overview trailer breakdown. Ocarina of Time’s 99 Metacritic score still tops every mainline Zelda game, as we covered in our ranking of the full series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What honor did Eiji Aonuma receive from France?
Aonuma was named a Chevalier (Knight) of France’s Order of Arts and Letters. France first named him to the order in November 2023, and the formal medal ceremony took place October 23, 2026, in Paris.
Why is Eiji Aonuma nervous about the Ocarina of Time remake?
He said he can’t predict how fans will receive it, given Ocarina of Time’s 99 Metacritic score and three decades of expectations around the original 1998 game.
Did the original Ocarina of Time developers work on the remake?
Aonuma said many developers on the remake team never played the 1998 original before working on it, which he credits with bringing fresh ideas to how the game plays.
When does the Ocarina of Time remake release?
November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, for $59.99 digital or $69.99 physical.
What’s new in the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake?
Nintendo confirmed a dedicated sprint move, a jump button, and diving as new additions not present in the 1998 original.
