Nintendo Pays Homage to Original 1998 Commercial for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in New Remake Trailer
Nintendo has released a new trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake that deliberately recreates elements of the original 1998 Nintendo 64 commercial. The throwback marketing campaign features similar shots, framing, and archaic language that characterized the iconic ’90s advertisement.
The original 1998 commercial was notable for its evocative phrasing—“A dark time is approaching,” “Willst thou run?”, and “Have ye what it takes?"—delivered in a dramatic, faux-medieval tone that became instantly recognizable to a generation of gamers. Nintendo’s new trailer taps directly into this nostalgia, employing comparable language such as “Willst thou flee? Or Fight?” and “Art thou ready?” to create continuity between the original promotion and the modern remake.
The trailer is part of a broader marketing push leading up to the game’s November 5th release on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo is deploying multiple promotional materials including trailers, short-form content, and television spots to build hype for the remake. The decision to invoke nostalgic advertising aesthetics suggests Nintendo is targeting both longtime fans who remember the original campaign and new players discovering the classic.