by 
Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 this week, and to drum up (even more) anticipation, the company has released a selection of interviews with the core team behind the shiny new remake (thanks, Nintendo Life).
During one part of the interview, director HokWai Ng reveals that the original illustrator for the N64 version was commissioned to create a new map for this remake.
Explaining how the new version pays tribute to the layout of the original, Ng says:
"We didn't want to change the feel of each location or the way the locations connected with one another, both of which are so characteristic of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. So this time, as in the original game, we chose not to make the entire world seamless, instead using separate maps for different areas. We wanted each new area to bring the same sense of excitement that players experienced in the original. We hoped that moving from one map to another would provide a natural point of transition, giving players a chance to reflect on their adventure so far while building anticipation for the next part of their adventure awaiting them in the next area. We also wanted to capture the excitement of thinking, “I'm going to explore this world.” So we asked the artist who had created the illustrations for the Nintendo 64 version to draw a new map for this game."
While the artist's name is mentioned, it is understood to be Yusuke Nakano, who has been with Nintendo since 1992 and has worked on Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Super Metroid, Mario Kart 64, Majora's Mask, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons / Ages, Mario Kart 8, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019) and many, many other games.
Given how expendable staff seem to be treated at many other studios – especially in the West – it's amazing to think that the team behind the new version of Ocarina of Time didn't have to go very far to find members of the original development staff, and this is a testament to Nintendo's ability to retain its talent over decades.