A remake can feel unmistakably Nintendo-made without every visual element being produced inside a single Nintendo studio. The newly identified Ocarina of Time remake developers illustrate that distinction. Bandai Namco Studios and Monolith Soft contributed art support to the Nintendo Switch 2 adventure, revealing another layer of collaboration behind one of Zelda’s most ambitious visual transformations.
Released on November 5, 2026, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time brings a familiar Hyrule to modern hardware. However, the interesting question is no longer simply how different the game looks. It is how Nintendo organizes the creative work needed to rebuild such a recognizable world.
Why Ocarina of Time remake developers matter to its visual identity
Remaking a game remembered for its atmosphere presents a particular challenge. Players recognize its characters, locations and dramatic moments, yet a modern presentation requires those elements to work together visually. Consequently, art production is not just decoration. It helps establish whether returning to Hyrule feels familiar, new or somewhere between the two.
According to Bandai Namco Studios’ official project page, Nintendo commissioned the company to produce some of the remake’s visual assets and artwork. Its contribution covered characters, environments, animations, cutscenes and user interface elements.
That list is significant because it spans several parts of the presentation rather than one isolated feature. Nevertheless, it does not establish which individual characters, scenes or locations Bandai Namco created. Nor does it reveal how much of the finished game came from its work.
Ocarina of Time remake developers show how Nintendo shares art production
Eurogamer also reports that Monolith Soft appears alongside Bandai Namco Studios in the game’s credits, with both acknowledged for art support and receiving special thanks. Monolith Soft has not publicly explained its specific responsibilities on this remake.
Its presence is hardly unusual in the wider Zelda picture. The Nintendo-owned studio, best known for Xenoblade Chronicles, previously contributed to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Therefore, its involvement fits an established relationship rather than introducing an entirely unfamiliar partner.
Bandai Namco Studios brings a different but equally relevant history. The company belongs to the Bandai Namco group and has collaborated with Nintendo across multiple projects. Its official website lists several Nintendo titles among its development and support credits.
There is a useful distinction here: sharing art production does not necessarily mean sharing creative leadership. Large games can involve specialist teams handling different production needs while retaining a coherent overall identity. The confirmed credits demonstrate collaboration, not a transfer of ownership or creative direction.
Nintendo’s Singapore acquisition adds another layer to the story
The timing becomes more interesting when considering Nintendo’s wider development structure. In November 2025, the company announced an agreement to acquire Bandai Namco Studios Singapore, a subsidiary with expertise in producing in-game artwork.
As explained in Nintendo’s official acquisition announcement, the Singapore operation had previously contributed to Nintendo games, including the Splatoon series. The transaction was intended to strengthen Nintendo’s development organization, and the plan was for the studio to be renamed Nintendo Studios Singapore after the purchase.
Importantly, this acquisition should not be confused with the newly confirmed Ocarina of Time credits. The available information does not establish that Nintendo Studios Singapore worked on the remake. Bandai Namco Studios’ confirmation concerns its own commissioned art production.
Even so, the two developments illustrate a broader approach. Nintendo can maintain long-standing relationships with external specialists while also bringing particular capabilities into its corporate structure. Both arrangements can support the demanding process of producing visual assets for major games.
What the credits change for players, and what remains unknown
For players, the revelation provides context rather than announcing a new feature. Battle4Play previously examined how the Switch 2 remake changes exploration and presentation. The new studio information offers another perspective on the production work behind that transformation.
However, it would be misleading to assign a particular redesigned character, environment or cutscene to either support studio. Nintendo has not publicly provided that breakdown, and neither company has disclosed the precise division of responsibilities.
Nor should the credits be interpreted as evidence that Nintendo needed another company to take control of the project. Commissioning specialized artwork is compatible with a game remaining closely associated with Nintendo’s creative identity. The finished experience, rather than the number of companies appearing in its credits, is what players ultimately encounter.
There is also a commercial dimension to consider. As Battle4Play reported in its coverage of Ocarina of Time’s record-setting UK boxed launch, the remake has already demonstrated considerable interest among physical game buyers. Those sales do not tell us how players judge its artwork, but they underline the visibility of a project involving several experienced development teams.
Ultimately, the Ocarina of Time remake developers story is less about discovering who deserves credit for a single image and more about understanding how modern Zelda games are made. Bandai Namco Studios has confirmed meaningful art support, while Monolith Soft’s credited involvement adds another familiar Nintendo collaborator. Until more production details emerge, the clearest conclusion is that a recognizable Nintendo adventure can be the product of several studios working toward one visual identity.
A Fortnite player since the very first storm: I jump off the Battle Bus with a plan (that rarely survives the landing), build faster than I think and never miss a live event on the island. Here I bring you every new season, collab and secret before the storm closes in.
