New Zelda Game 2026, Elder Scrolls 6 Release Date & Upcoming Switch Games — All the Latest News

Original illustration by GameVexo — Zelda Ocarina of Time remake confirmed for Switch 2, Elder Scrolls 6 still in development for 2028+

Two of gaming’s biggest franchises are making huge waves in 2026. Nintendo just officially confirmed a new Legend of Zelda game — a full remake of Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 — while fans of The Elder Scrolls are still waiting for any real news on Elder Scrolls 6, the long-awaited sequel to Skyrim. Here’s everything you need to know, all in one place.

Whether you’re searching for the latest Zelda news, wondering when the upcoming Skyrim game is coming out, or just want to know which games are still coming to your original Nintendo Switch — this article has you covered. We’ll break down every confirmed detail, what’s still rumored, and what you should realistically expect in the months ahead.

Background: Two Legendary Franchises, One Big Year

It’s hard to think of two game franchises more beloved than The Legend of Zelda and The Elder Scrolls. Both have defined generations of gaming. Zelda gave us 1998’s Ocarina of Time — widely considered one of the greatest games ever made — while Bethesda’s Skyrim from 2011 became a cultural phenomenon that people are still playing today. So when news drops about either of these franchises, the gaming world pays attention.

2026 is a fascinating year for both. On one hand, Nintendo is moving fast, announcing new Zelda content and a full remake of one of its most iconic titles. On the other hand, Bethesda is being incredibly quiet about Elder Scrolls 6 — the unofficial sequel to Skyrim that fans have been waiting for since 2011. If you’ve been wondering about the best upcoming games of 2026, these two titles are at the top of nearly every fan’s wishlist.

Let’s look at both situations in detail, starting with the exciting news from Nintendo.

The New Zelda Game in 2026: Ocarina of Time Remake Confirmed

During the Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026 — held as part of Summer Game Fest — Nintendo made the announcement many Zelda fans had been dreaming about for years. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is being remade for Nintendo Switch 2, with Nintendo describing the project as the classic game being “reborn” on its new platform.

The original Ocarina of Time launched on the Nintendo 64 back in 1998 and remains one of the most critically praised games in history. Nintendo last revisited it in 2011 with a Nintendo 3DS remake that added improved visuals and the Master Quest difficulty mode. This new version, however, appears to be something far bigger — a ground-up rebuild, not just a resolution bump.

The reveal trailer showed Link in a significantly updated, more realistic art style compared to recent Zelda games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. No gameplay footage was shown, which frustrated many fans, but also led to exciting speculation that Nintendo is making meaningful changes to the classic game’s structure, dungeons, and content.

Is This a Full Remake or Just a Remaster?

This is the big question on everyone’s mind. Nintendo’s choice of the word “reborn” suggests it’s more than a simple upscale. A fan poll on Famiboards found that roughly 80% of respondents believe it will be a full reimagining rather than a faithful remake. The art style glimpsed in the teaser looks noticeably different from any previous version of the game, which supports the idea that significant creative choices are being made.

We won’t know for sure until Nintendo shows actual gameplay — which most expect will happen at a dedicated Nintendo Direct or showcase later in 2026. Given that this is one of the most requested remakes in gaming history, expect it to be a major event when it finally gets a full reveal.

Other New Zelda Content in 2026

The Ocarina of Time remake isn’t the only Zelda news this year. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — Secrets of the Zonai is confirmed for October 2026 on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. This release is seen as a closing chapter for the “Wilds era” of Zelda — the design direction that started with Breath of the Wild in 2017 — before the franchise moves in a new direction.

Nintendo is also releasing a new Tears of the Kingdom — Mineru’s Construct amiibo on September 17, 2026, for hardcore collectors. Looking further ahead, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment landed in 2025, and a live-action Zelda movie is scheduled for April 30, 2027. For fans of the franchise, 2026 and 2027 are shaping up to be a golden period. If you enjoy big upcoming releases, also check out our guide on the best upcoming cozy games of 2026.

Elder Scrolls 6 — The Upcoming “Skyrim Sequel” We’ve All Been Waiting For

Now for the harder news. If you’ve been hoping for a big reveal of Elder Scrolls 6 — the game that millions of Skyrim fans have been waiting for since 2011 — 2026 has been a disappointment. The game was a no-show at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, 2026, extending its streak of radio silence to eight full years since the announcement teaser at E3 2018.

That said, there are some meaningful updates. Bethesda is actively working on the game, and people have actually seen it being played.

Xbox CCO Matt Booty confirmed he has personally visited Bethesda, sat with game director Todd Howard, and watched The Elder Scrolls 6 being played. He described it as looking “amazing” and said it’s “coming along well.” But Bethesda’s strategy is clear: they won’t show the public anything until they can also announce a release date that’s close. This is the same approach they used with the shadow drop of Oblivion Remastered in 2025.

What We Actually Know About Elder Scrolls 6

Despite eight years of near-silence, a few concrete details have emerged. Todd Howard confirmed in February 2026 that the game runs on Creation Engine 3 — a brand-new version of Bethesda’s in-house engine, built specifically for this title. He described it as a “classic Bethesda RPG,” directly comparable to Skyrim and Oblivion, signaling a return to the style fans fell in love with after the divisive Starfield.

In March 2026, Howard also revealed that the majority of Bethesda Game Studios is now working on Elder Scrolls 6, which shows how much the project has ramped up. As of March 2024, early internal builds were already being tested by the team. Microsoft is also reportedly looking to speed up development of key titles like Elder Scrolls 6 by allocating more resources.

Where Will Elder Scrolls 6 Be Set?

No official location has been confirmed, but there’s strong community speculation pointing to Hammerfell — the southwestern region of Tamriel and home of the Redguard people. Clues from a cryptic official Elder Scrolls Twitter post in 2020 and the rocky terrain shown in the 2018 announcement teaser both point in that direction. Todd Howard has also mentioned that the game has “way more trees than Skyrim,” which has led some to suggest the lush region of Valenwood as a possibility. The truth is, we simply don’t know for certain yet.

Will Elder Scrolls 6 Come to PlayStation?

This is a hot topic. Court documents from the 2023 Microsoft vs. FTC case suggested the game would launch on PC and Xbox only. However, Microsoft has been expanding its multiplatform strategy in recent years — games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Forza Horizon 5 came to PlayStation. The platform situation for TES6 remains officially unconfirmed. Some games, like Gears of War: E-Day, have been confirmed as Xbox exclusives at the June 2026 Xbox Showcase, so there’s no clear single answer. We’ll have to wait for an official announcement. If you’re a multi-platform gamer, be sure to check out our guide on GTA 6’s cross-platform plans while you wait.

Best Upcoming Switch 1 Games in 2026

Good news for players who haven’t upgraded to the Nintendo Switch 2 yet — the original Switch is still getting new games in 2026. While Nintendo’s main focus is clearly on its new console, the Switch 1’s massive install base of over 100 million users means developers aren’t abandoning it yet.

Here are the most notable upcoming Switch 1 games still coming in 2026:

• Rhythm Heaven Groove (July 2, 2026) — The first new Rhythm Heaven game in over a decade, confirmed as a Nintendo Switch 1 exclusive with no native Switch 2 version announced. Over 80 rhythm minigames and support for up to 4 players.
• Deltarune Chapter 5 (Late June 2026) — The latest chapter of Toby Fox’s beloved RPG is available on both Switch 1 and Switch 2.
• Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 — Includes Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker making their Nintendo debut, coming to Switch 1 as well as Switch 2.
• Pokemon Champions (April 8, 2026 — already released) — A free-to-play competitive Pokémon battler built for Switch 1, playable on Switch 2 via backward compatibility.
• Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream (April 16, 2026 — already released) — The beloved life sim sequel launched on Switch 1 and plays on Switch 2 through compatibility.

It’s worth noting that 2026 is expected to be the last major year of first-party Nintendo support for the original Switch. If you’re still on the old hardware, now is a great time to enjoy these remaining releases before considering an upgrade. For more on the best games coming across all platforms, see our ultimate 2026 upcoming games guide.

What Fans Are Saying

The Zelda Ocarina of Time remake announcement has been met with massive excitement online. On Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), the reaction was overwhelmingly positive — though many fans were frustrated that Nintendo only showed a brief teaser without any gameplay. The debate about whether it will be a faithful remake or a full reimagining is one of the most-discussed topics in the Zelda community right now. Many fans are cautiously optimistic, hoping Nintendo will take creative risks while respecting the original game’s legacy.

For Elder Scrolls fans, the mood is a mix of resignation and patience. Eight years is a long time to wait, and the continued silence from Bethesda has moved beyond frustrating into something more philosophical for many fans — a quiet acceptance that the game will come when it’s ready. The fact that Matt Booty has personally seen the game being played, and described it positively, was a genuine comfort to many. The comment on Reddit that summed up the mood best: “At this point it’s not frustrating, just exhausting.”

What to Expect Next

For Zelda fans, the next big moment will be a full gameplay reveal for the Ocarina of Time remake. This will almost certainly happen at a dedicated Nintendo Direct later in 2026 — possibly September or October — where Nintendo will need to show what “reborn” actually means in practice. Expect confirmation of the release date, the extent of changes to dungeons and story, and a clearer look at the new art direction.

For Elder Scrolls fans, the honest advice is to settle in for a longer wait. The most credible insider reports place the game’s release in 2028 or 2029. The next meaningful signal will likely come when Bethesda decides production is far enough along to make a public promise — and they’ve made it very clear they won’t do that until they can confidently back it up. Don’t hold your breath for a reveal at any 2026 event. For Xbox and PC fans looking for games to fill the gap, the GTA 6 Xbox performance guide might come in handy as that game also approaches.

In the meantime, if you want to make the most of your gaming setup while waiting for these big titles, check out our recommendations for the best gaming mouse pads with wrist support, the best sounding mechanical keyboards, and the best gaming mice for precision play.

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