Michael JohnsonIn The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2, you can perform a jump attack in two ways: press one button, as in the original, or jump first and then attack. Nintendo explained the developers’ choice in an interview published on November 3, 2026; the game itself became available on November 5.
In an interview with the developers, producer Eiji Aonuma said he found it unfamiliar to perform a jump attack in two steps. The team added the option to do it with one button press. Other developers, accustomed to later games in the series, preferred the sequential approach. In the end, both implementations made it into the game.
What’s the difference between the options?
In the original Ocarina of Time, the jump attack was performed by pressing a single button. In the Switch 2 version, the developers added an approach familiar from Breath of the Wild: the character jumps first, and pressing the attack button in midair triggers the strike. The team also kept the original one-step move for players who prefer the earlier sequence.
This is specifically about how to perform a jump attack, not two entirely different control schemes. In the Nintendo interview, the developers describe the decision as a way to accommodate players familiar with both the original and newer Zelda games.
Why the change also affected the game world
The developers linked the new actions to additional work on the environment. In the original, Link automatically jumped over obstacles at predetermined spots. In the new version, players can press a button to jump in more situations. The team explained that this required rethinking obstacle placement and the distances between platforms: young and adult Link have slightly different jumping abilities.
The freely rotating camera also changes how players look around. The developers said the team accounted for players losing their bearings in a dungeon after a fight, and made changes to help them understand where to go. This shows that the control update affects more than just buttons: the environment and navigation had to be adapted to the greater freedom of movement.
What you need for online features
Controls and game updates are separate matters. Nintendo says version 1.1.1 became available on November 4, 2026, and is required for online features. The update adds support for ZELDA NOTES and fixes several issues; save data remains available after installation.
To check the version, highlight the game in the HOME Menu without launching it, press “+” or “−” on the controller, and select Software Update via the Internet. These steps are provided in the Nintendo Support instructions.
ZELDA NOTES works through the Nintendo Switch app on a compatible smartphone. Nintendo’s description lists game records, a feature for finding locations from image clues, and a virtual ocarina that lets players share sheet music via QR code. Some features require a Nintendo Account and a continuous internet connection, and availability may vary by region.
If you prefer the original controls, look for the one-press jump attack; if you’re more comfortable with the sequence used in newer games, the Switch 2 version offers that option too. For ZELDA NOTES, separately check that version 1.1.1 is installed and review the app settings on your smartphone.
