Zelda: Ocarina of Time Teaser Sparks Internet Jokes About Nintendo’s ‘Hire This Man’ Phase

Today, during a major Direct presentation, Nintendo officially unveiled the highly anticipated remake of the classic Nintendo 64 title, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The internet quickly lit up with jokes, noting that the visuals resembled those fan-made Unreal Engine remakes of Zelda games that often prompt comments suggesting Nintendo should “hire this man.”

On June 9, Nintendo shared a brief teaser for the upcoming remake, which is set to launch on the Switch 2 in 2026. While we only got a glimpse of Link’s new look, it was enough for fans to start drawing comparisons between this more realistic version of the iconic hero and the fan-created remakes that have circulated online.

Despite the limited footage, fans took to social media to express their thoughts, with some poking fun at the art direction of the remake. Over the years, these fan videos have become a meme, often lacking the charm of the original Zelda games, yet still attracting comments urging Nintendo to take notes from the creators. With the new Link resembling those fan interpretations, many joked that Nintendo must have actually hired that man. Some even pointed out that the upcoming Star Fox remake also features similar “hire this man” graphics, while others referenced the “Focus Up, M” meme.

2016: Nintendo Hire This Man
2026: Nintendo Hired This Man

— Pinguis (@Pinguis54) June 9, 2026

why is ocarina of time in hire this man graphics

— William (@DooMYouTube) June 9, 2026

NINTENDO HIRE THIS MAN

— Johann (@LookAtMyMeat1) June 9, 2026

Nintendo Hired This Man

— Stigs (@triggerhappy938.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T15:25:19.876Z

oot remake badly needs to be the most unreal engine grass hire this man experience of all time

— used (@usedpizza.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T15:00:14.618Z

Zelda Ocarina of Time: Nintendo Hire This Man Edition

— Corentin Benoit-Gonin (@kocobe.fr) 2026-06-09T14:55:46.989Z

“Nintendo hire this man” “Nintendo hire this man” “hahahaha heeheeheehee”

— christa lee (@ohpoorpup.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T14:55:54.362Z

I’m sorry but I really can’t get over that it looks like Nintendo finally hired this man

— Arty the Spectacular Bun ???? (@SuperiorGothBun) June 9, 2026

“Nintendo hire this man” ass trailer

— Alejandro (@Alejandro101524) June 9, 2026

You can’t even post the Focus, M video anymore they’re just making that the look

— august (@regularaugust) June 9, 2026

If you look at this and the new Star Fox, Nintendo are seriously starting to hire That Man

— H20: 2nd Impact (@I__HATE_SOCCER) June 9, 2026

NINTENDO HIRE THIS MAN

— Snugboy (@RealSnugboy) June 9, 2026

FUCK YEAH ZELDA OCARINA OF TIME NA UNREAL ENGINE 5 HIRE THIS MAN

— ✨silva joão✨ (@silvazuao.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T14:54:57.867Z

“Nintendo hire this man!”

— G*rre (@springbris) June 9, 2026

seeing shiny 3D nintendo hire this man style Link DOES feel like when you leave the temple of time and the town is empty except for redeads

— Jay Castello ???? (@jaymcastello.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T15:35:15.946Z

I guess Nintendo really did hire this man, huh

— Kage (@kagewuffs.bsky.social) 2026-06-09T14:58:59.944Z