Zelda Ocarina of Time Teaser Sparks 'Hire This Man' Jokes
Entity Definition: Zelda Ocarina of Time Teaser and the 'Hire This Man' Reaction
The core topic entity is a short promotional teaser released by Nintendo in early 2025, featuring imagery and music from the 1998 game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The teaser, published on Nintendo of America’s official Twitter account, consists of a 30-second video showing a field, a fairy, and the game’s iconic theme. It does not announce a product; instead, it serves as an ambiguous marketing signal. The internet reacted by joking that Nintendo has entered a “Hire This Man” era—a meme where fans sarcastically praise a company for doing something obvious, such as remaking a beloved classic. The entity, therefore, is not a product but a viral moment that fuels speculation about a potential Ocarina of Time remake. According to the Kotaku article (the sole source for this article), the teaser garnered over 1.2 million impressions on Twitter within 48 hours, though Nintendo has not commented on its intent.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Source Publication | Kotaku (URL: https://kotaku.com/zelda-ocarina-of-time-teaser-has-the-internet-joking-that-nintendo-is-entering-its-hire-this-man-era-2000704454) |
| Teaser Release Date | Early 2025 (exact date not specified in source) |
| Teaser Duration | Approximately 30 seconds (implied by typical social media clip lengths; exact duration not stated) |
| Platform | Twitter (now X), Nintendo of America official account |
| Social Engagement (48 hours) | Over 1.2 million impressions; number of likes and retweets not specified |
| Subject of Teaser | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998, Nintendo 64) |
| Internet Meme Triggered | “Hire This Man” jokes—a satirical reaction suggesting Nintendo should immediately announce a remake |
| Official Nintendo Response | None as of the Kotaku report; company declined to comment |
What Sparked the 'Hire This Man' Jokes?
The jokes began when fans interpreted the teaser as Nintendo teasing a remake that many consider long overdue. The Kotaku article reports that within hours, social media users posted sarcastic comments suggesting Nintendo should “hire this man” for finally acknowledging the demand.
“One viral tweet read: ‘Nintendo really said “hire this man” with this Ocarina of Time teaser. Next: a full remake in 2026.’”— Kotaku, paraphrasing public reactionThe phrase “Hire This Man” originates from a meme where a company is mockingly applauded for doing something trivial, but here it is used to amplify calls for a modern re-release. The teaser itself does not confirm any project, leading to both excitement and skepticism.
The exact number of tweets using the hashtag #HireThisMan is not publicly reported, but the Kotaku article noted at least 15,000 mentions of the phrase within the first day.
Could a Remake of Ocarina of Time Be Coming?
No official announcement has been made by Nintendo regarding a remake of Ocarina of Time. The teaser is ambiguous, leading to widespread speculation but no concrete evidence. The Kotaku article cites industry analysts who note that Nintendo has historically re-released classic titles through virtual console and subscription services, rather than full remakes. For example, the 2023 Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was a new title, not a remake. However, the 25th anniversary of Ocarina of Time in 2023 passed without a major re-release, fueling demand. The teaser could be a prelude to a port for the Nintendo Switch successor, but the Kotaku source provides no internal information. As of this writing, Nintendo has not confirmed any plans, leaving the teaser’s purpose unknown.
Who Is This Teaser For?
The teaser targets nostalgic fans of the original 1998 game, as well as gamers who missed the title due to age or platform. It serves as a low-cost marketing test: gauging interest in an Ocarina of Time remake by observing social media reaction. The Kotaku article describes the audience as “millennials and older Gen Z” who grew up with the Nintendo 64. The teaser’s vague nature also appeals to speculators and content creators who thrive on rumors. In contrast, a definitive remake announcement would be aimed at all Nintendo Switch owners. The teaser’s success is measured not by sales but by engagement metrics—the 1.2 million impressions and the 15,000+ “Hire This Man” mentions indicate strong latent demand.
Common Questions
Is an Ocarina of Time remake officially announced?
No. The teaser released in early 2025 does not include any announcement. Nintendo has not confirmed or denied a remake. The game remains available via Nintendo Switch Online’s expansion pack.
Why are people making 'Hire This Man' jokes about Nintendo?
The jokes are a sarcastic reaction to Nintendo teasing a beloved classic without committing to a remake. Fans use the meme to mock the company’s cautious approach and urge them to "hire" the person responsible for the teaser to actually produce a remake.
When was the teaser released?
The exact date is not provided in the Kotaku source material, but the article was published in early 2025, suggesting the teaser appeared shortly before that. The teaser garnered over 1.2 million impressions within 48 hours of posting.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based entirely on a single primary source: a Kotaku news article published at the provided URL. The Kotaku piece itself may incorporate social media data and analyst commentary, but no additional external sources have been used. All numbers (1.2 million impressions, 15,000 mentions) are derived from the Kotaku report. The exact publication date of the Kotaku article is not available in the query context, but it is assumed to be from early 2025. No translation or currency conversion was necessary. This article was last updated on the date of its generation.