Bandai Namco and Monolith Soft Support Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake
External studios provided critical visual and technical support for the Switch 2 title.
1Collaborative Development Strategy
Nintendo has officially confirmed that Bandai Namco and Monolith Soft provided extensive support for the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Released on November 5, 2026, the project utilized these external partners to handle core development tasks, ensuring the title met high production standards for the new hardware.
2Bandai Namco's Visual Contribution
Bandai Namco Studios was specifically commissioned to create a wide range of visual assets. Their contributions included character models, terrain design, complex animations, cinematic cutscenes, and the user interface. This partnership highlights the studio's ongoing role in assisting Nintendo with major first-party titles, a relationship spanning back to Mario Kart 8.
3Monolith Soft's Technical Involvement
Monolith Soft, known for the Xenoblade Chronicles series, also played a significant role in the remake's development. Their team contributed to game design, programming, and graphics. Given their long history of collaborating on previous Zelda entries, their involvement serves as a natural extension of their established technical partnership with Nintendo.
4Leadership and Direction
The remake was developed under the direction of Hokwai Ng, chosen by producer Eiji Aonuma for his aggressive problem-solving abilities. Hidemaro Fujibayashi also served as a producer on the project. The team aimed to preserve the original game's intricate design while utilizing modern technology to achieve a new level of visual clarity.
5Expanding Nintendo's Development Network
Nintendo continues to leverage external expertise to manage the increasing complexity of modern game development. In late 2025, Nintendo acquired Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, rebranding it as Nintendo Studios Singapore. This move reflects a broader industry trend where major publishers rely on specialized support studios to handle specific technical tasks.
6Historical Context of Partnerships
The collaboration between Nintendo and Bandai Namco is well-established, having previously co-developed Metroid Prime 4. Bandai Namco typically assigns work to its dedicated internal teams, specifically Studio 2 and Studio S. These teams have been instrumental in supporting various Nintendo first-party projects throughout the last decade of console development.
7Reception and Future Content
The remake has received critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its vibrancy and timeless gameplay mechanics. Beyond the base game, datamined files have revealed hidden Master Quest code. This discovery strongly suggests that Nintendo may release downloadable content in the near future, potentially extending the game's lifespan for dedicated players.
8Strategic Industry Implications
The reliance on external studios like Monolith Soft and Bandai Namco demonstrates Nintendo's strategy for scaling production on the Switch 2. By delegating asset creation and programming to trusted partners, Nintendo maintains its high quality bar while managing the logistical demands of modern game development cycles and complex technical requirements.