# Shigeru Miyamoto admits Nintendo’s been pumping out “a lot of remakes” as Ocarina of Time approaches, but says most people stopped playing the original games within 5 years anyway

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/shigeru-miyamoto-admits-nintendos-been-pumping-out-a-lot-of-remakes-as-ocarina-of-time-approaches-but-says-most-people-stopped-playing-the-original-games-within-5-years-anyway/
- Published: 2026-07-22T20:00:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-23T02:12:13+00:00
- Original publisher: GamesRadar+
- Original article: https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/nintendo/shigeru-miyamoto-admits-nintendos-been-pumping-out-a-lot-of-remakes-as-ocarina-of-time-approaches-but-says-most-people-stopped-playing-the-original-games-within-5-years-anyway/
- Topics: Entertainment, Gaming

## Key points

- Miyamoto defends Nintendo's remake strategy ahead of an Ocarina of Time remake.
- He claims players typically abandon games within five years.
- Critics say the five-year rationale oversimplifies player engagement patterns.

## Summary

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has defended the company's heavy reliance on remakes and remasters, arguing that most players stop engaging with a game within about five years, so revisiting older titles is a practical way to keep classics accessible to new audiences rather than letting them fade into obscurity. The comments come as Nintendo continues its steady stream of reworked releases, with a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time reportedly in development, and follow similar treatment for franchises such as Star Fox. His remarks matter because they offer a rare direct rationale from Nintendo's most influential creative figure for a strategy that has drawn mixed reactions from long-time fans who see it as a substitute for original output.

Miyamoto's central argument is that remakes primarily serve younger players who missed the original releases, framing the approach as preservation rather than repetition. However, the justification has been questioned by observers, who argue that a blanket five-year cutoff oversimplifies how differently audiences actually engage with games over time, and that it may understate the extent to which Nintendo now leans on its back catalogue rather than new projects. No further developments or an official rebuttal have since emerged, leaving Miyamoto's comments as Nintendo's standing explanation for its remake-heavy release strategy.

## Coverage

- [GamesRadar+: Shigeru Miyamoto admits Nintendo’s been pumping out “a lot of remakes” as Ocarina of Time approaches, but says most people stopped playing the original games within 5 years anyway](https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/nintendo/shigeru-miyamoto-admits-nintendos-been-pumping-out-a-lot-of-remakes-as-ocarina-of-time-approaches-but-says-most-people-stopped-playing-the-original-games-within-5-years-anyway/)
- [GameSpot: Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto Defends Remakes Ahead Of Ocarina Of Time Switch 2 Remake](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-defends-remakes-ahead-of-ocarina-of-time-switch-2-remake/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.