Leak lists Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake developer as Xenoblade Chronicles studio

Even with a 2026 release date, much remains unknown about the next Zelda title. One question is what studio is crafting The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. Norwegian retailer Elkjøp has provided a clue by listing Monolith Soft as its developer. If the Xenoblade Chronicles maker has greater sway, it may hint that the Switch 2 game is more than a 1:1 remake.

The Elkjøp page names Bergsala, a distributor of Nintendo products in the region, as the publisher. As the developer, the site specifies Monolith Soft rather than Nintendo EPD. The store could be assuming this based on earlier leaks and reports. Even so, signs have suggested the studio will take on a larger role than a supporter.

An evolving relationship

Nintendo now owns Monolith outright, after having bought a majority stake from Bandai Namco in 2007. Its employees then assisted the Japanese gaming giant with Zelda games, including Skyward Sword in 2011. However, with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the Xenoblade Chronicles architects stepped up their involvement.

With Tears of the Kingdom in particular, they contributed more than just open-world level design and assets. The company began creating and implementing gameplay concepts that normally would come from the first-party EPD. Other indications hint that the studio will also have a larger influence over the Ocarina of Time remake.

In late 2025, Zelda GM Daiki Iwamoto said he wanted Monolith to assume a “central role” by inventing a "unique title” in the series. Then in May 2026, leaker Nash Weedle claimed that the partner could be the primary Ocarina of Time remake developer. That followed comments from the company, stressing its commitment to the franchise.

The 1:1 debate

The teaser trailer, which identified 2026 as the Ocarina of Time remake release date, sparked conversation among fans. If Monolith is given more creative input, the title may not be a straightforward 1:1 recreation. Players have a better chance to see new dungeons, enemies, and mechanics that depart from the N64 classic's formula.

After developing Ocarina of Time 3D for the 3DS and the 2024 Echoes of Wisdom, Grezzo is another obvious candidate. In either scenario, Nintendo EPD would be freeing up resources to focus on the next mainline The Legend of Zelda Switch 2 game. A rumored September Nintendo Direct could settle some ongoing debates.