Leaker receives death threats for spoiling Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake reveal

The June Nintendo Direct wasn’t a surprise to supporters of NateTheHate. In March, the prolific leaker exposed Switch 2 games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. Following the showcase, fans blamed him for spoiling the return of Link. In some cases, they issued death threats to the insider.

The divisive response to leaks

NateTheHate shared a particularly disturbing comment left under a YouTube video. According to the podcaster, it’s just one example of the vitriol he receives. A social media post explained how he reads “dozens of death threats each and every single day.”

Most followers condemned the prospect of violence as a response to a leak. Nevertheless, many gamers would rather have been in the dark about the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake. Adding to their disappointment, the Nintendo Direct trailer offered only a brief glimpse of the project. While it has a 2026 release date as predicted, viewers saw no gameplay.

Had developers shown how it would improve on the original N64 title, it might have lessened the outrage levied at NateTheHate. During a recent podcast, former Nintendo employees Kit & Krystra argued that the company should have adjusted its plans. Given that mainstream media reported the Zelda leak, the short teaser was a letdown to the informed.

Frustrations with Nintendo marketing

Not all gamers are angry when they learn about Switch 2 games in advance. Many of NateTheHate’s fans grow exasperated by the slow drip of updates surrounding the console. The Japanese gaming giant has barely any presence at events like the Summer Game Fest. It prefers to market through its own channels, but increasingly, news arrives closer to release dates.

Some observers believe the company has become even more secretive because of leaks. It confirmed the modernized Star Fox later than was rumored, announcing an immediate showcase on social media. Yet, it doesn’t seem that these reports impacted the June Nintendo Direct or the Ocarina of Time remake reveal.

The insider had also hinted that Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and a new Switch 2 sports title would appear. He once again was accurate, but an anticipated 3D Mario title may not be ready until 2027.