Gaming legend Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario and The Legend of Zelda, has publicly defended video game remakes. In an interview with Famitsu translated by Nintendo Everything, Miyamoto explained why Nintendo continues to invest in re-releases of classics, especially with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake coming to Switch 2.
Remakes let new generations experience timeless masterpieces
According to Miyamoto, many players missed the chance to enjoy games released a decade or more ago. Re-releases make classic experiences accessible to an audience that would otherwise overlook them. "After five years, many people grow out of games and stop playing," he said. "Young people today don't have the opportunity to play games from 10 years ago, so remaking them to be more playable is a good way to meet demand." This philosophy explains the success of remakes like The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening and the upcoming Ocarina of Time.
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Commercial success of remakes funds new original projects
Another key point from Miyamoto is the economic benefit. Revenue from remakes can be reinvested into fresh ideas, balancing nostalgia with innovation. "Letting people know the original games also leads to future developments," he added. This approach has allowed Nintendo to fund new IPs and sequels, such as the highly anticipated Breath of the Wild follow-up.
Ocarina of Time remake on Switch 2 and Halo Campaign Evolved today
The Ocarina of Time remake, one of the most acclaimed games ever, will launch on Switch 2 this year. Meanwhile, today sees the early access release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remaster of the 2001 original (minus competitive multiplayer). These launches confirm a market trend: a 2025 study found that almost all gamers played a remake or remaster in the previous year, with over 138 million downloads globally. Miyamoto's strategy appears forward-thinking.
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To explore how AI is shaping entertainment, read our article on ChatGPT suggesting the ultimate viewing order for Avengers: Doomsday. For historical context, see the Wikipedia entry on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
