The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s infamous tutorial owl seemingly won’t trap you in conversation in the Switch 2 remake
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
A preview of the Switch 2 remake of *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* suggests the famously long-winded owl Kaepora Gaebora has a much shorter conversation. The change could spare players a frustrating tutorial exchange and appears to fit the remake’s other quality-of-life updates.
During a 15-minute preview, the writer met the owl and found the conversation brief, with no explanation of the map. It is unclear whether his dialogue has been shortened elsewhere in the game; he has a new design and still offers flights from Lake Hylia. The remake is due out on 5 November.
- Kaepora Gaebora’s preview conversation was brief.
- The owl did not explain the map.
- The remake is due on 5 November.
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an adventure game in which the player guides Link through a fantasy world, solves puzzles and battles enemies. It first appeared on the Nintendo 64, and its story follows Link as he tries to stop the villain Ganondorf.
Kaepora Gaebora is a wise owl who appears during Link’s journey and gives advice about how to play. In the original game, some of his tutorial conversations were long, making him memorable to players.
The remake is for Nintendo’s Switch 2, a newer version of the Switch console. Changes to tutorials and other small features can affect how familiar the game feels to returning players and how easily new players find their way.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Shortening the owl’s tutorial could make the remake more welcoming and keep players moving, especially for those who already know the game or find repeated explanations disruptive. It also fits a broader aim of preserving the adventure while updating it for modern expectations about pacing and player control.
The case against
The long exchange is part of what many players remember about the original, and it may help newcomers understand the map and the game’s systems. Keeping more of the dialogue, perhaps with an option to skip it, could preserve that character and guidance while still respecting returning players’ time.