Quick answer: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 releases on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Going by Nintendo's standard unlock rules, the digital version should unlock at 9 p.m. PT on November 4 (midnight ET on November 5) in the Americas, and at 00:00 on November 5 in Europe. Nintendo's US store lists it at $59.99 for the digital version and $69.99 for the physical version, with an estimated 27 GB download. If you preorder digitally, Nintendo charges you and pre-loads the game 7 days before launch, which puts that on October 29. US digital buyers before November 23 also get a 40th Anniversary wallpaper as an early purchase bonus. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition console costs $519.99 in the US, arrives a week earlier on October 29, and does not include the game.
This page collects every preorder detail in one place: price by region, digital vs physical, the file size, when the eShop pre-load starts, the Zelda Switch 2 console, the amiibo and app extras, and what has actually changed from the 1998 original. Every number below comes from Nintendo's own store listings, support pages and announcements, last checked on October 22, 2026.
When does Ocarina of Time release on Switch 2?
Nintendo confirmed the date in the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct in September: series producer Eiji Aonuma "showed the first gameplay of the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game for the Nintendo Switch 2 console and revealed that the title will launch on 5 November," according to Nintendo's official announcement. The US Nintendo store page lists the same release date: November 5, 2026.
It is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It does not run on the original Nintendo Switch, so a Switch 2 is required whichever version you buy.
What time does Ocarina of Time unlock on Switch 2?
Nintendo has not posted an unlock hour specific to Ocarina of Time, but it does publish standard eShop release rules, and this game fits them. Nintendo of America's support page says: "Digital software that is also sold physically will usually be available at 9:00 p.m. PT the night before the physical game's release date." Ocarina of Time has a physical edition, so the expected unlock in the Americas is 9 p.m. PT on Wednesday, November 4, which is midnight on the East Coast.
Nintendo UK's pre-order FAQ gives the European rule: "Most software titles are released at 00:00 on their release date. However, some may become available later during the day." For a European eShop account, that points to midnight going into Thursday, November 5.
| Time zone | Expected unlock |
|---|---|
| Pacific (PT, US/Canada) | 9:00 p.m., Wed Nov 4 |
| Mountain (MT) | 10:00 p.m., Wed Nov 4 |
| Central (CT) and Mexico City | 11:00 p.m., Wed Nov 4 |
| Eastern (ET, US/Canada) | 12:00 a.m., Thu Nov 5 |
| UTC (Americas eShop) | 05:00, Thu Nov 5 |
| UK and Eurozone eShop | 00:00, Thu Nov 5 |
The US switches off daylight saving time on November 1, so Pacific is UTC-8 by launch week. Both Nintendo pages say "usually" and "most," which means these are standard rules and not a guarantee for this specific game. The unlock is tied to the eShop region of your Nintendo Account, not to where you are physically sitting. Your preorder will have pre-loaded a week earlier, so once the unlock hits, all you download is the small update that makes the game playable.
How much does Ocarina of Time cost on Switch 2?
The game has two versions, digital and physical. Nintendo prices them differently, and the gap is $10 in the US:
| Region | Digital (Nintendo eShop) | Physical |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $59.99 | $69.99 |
| United Kingdom | £49.99 | Retailer price varies |
| Eurozone (e.g. Germany) | €59.99 | Retailer price varies |
The US prices come from Nintendo's US store listing, which shows both a $59.99 and a $69.99 edition. The UK and Eurozone digital prices come from Nintendo of Europe's store data for the Switch 2 listing. Physical prices in the UK and Europe are set by retailers, so check before you order.
The game content is the same in both versions. You are choosing between ownership formats, not between content tiers. The digital version is $10 cheaper in the US and gets the 7-day pre-load. The physical version can be resold and runs from the game card, though Nintendo has not published how much storage the physical version needs for updates.
How big is the Ocarina of Time download?
Nintendo's US store lists the game file size as an estimated 27 GB. Nintendo notes on the same page that "information related to the game, including ratings and download size, may not be finalized at time of preorder," so the final number can still move.
For scale, the Nintendo Switch 2 has 256 GB of internal storage, and part of that is used by the system. A 27 GB install fits comfortably on a console that isn't already full. If yours is near capacity, the Switch 2 only accepts microSD Express cards for expansion, not older microSD cards, so check your card type before launch week.
- Estimated file size: 27 GB (Nintendo US store)
- Switch 2 internal storage: 256 GB, partly used by the system
- Expansion: microSD Express cards only
When can I pre-load Ocarina of Time?
Pre-loading comes with a digital preorder from the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo Support explains how it works: "Payment will be processed for the pre-order 7 days before the game is released. At that time, the game will pre-load on your system so that you can quickly access the game as soon as it is released."
With a November 5 release, for a preorder placed before the charge window, that means:
- October 29, 2026: your payment method is charged and the pre-load starts
- Before October 29: you can still cancel the preorder
- After October 29: a new digital order is charged right away and downloads immediately
- November 5, 2026: a small unlock update makes the game playable, with no 27 GB wait
Nintendo of America's support pages note that digital preorders can be cancelled any time before the payment is processed and the game pre-loads. In the UK and EU, Nintendo's FAQ keeps statutory cancellation rights separate from that window, so check your region's terms before assuming a pre-loaded order is locked in. One catch if you planned to use an older voucher: according to Nintendo UK support, Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers cannot be redeemed for Nintendo Switch 2 games, so a leftover Switch 1 voucher won't cover this one.
What is the Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2?
This bundle accounts for most of the "switch 2 zelda edition" searches, and it causes the most confusion. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition is a themed console. It is $519.99 on Nintendo's US store, and it does not include Ocarina of Time. Nintendo's listing says it plainly: "(Game not included.)"
According to Nintendo's product page, the bundle includes:
- A black and gold Nintendo Switch 2 dock with the golden Triforce symbol on the front
- Joy-Con 2 (L) and Joy-Con 2 (R) in green and gold with Zelda-series decorations
- Series-inspired patterns on the back of the system and dock
- The standard kit: AC adapter, USB-C charging cable, Joy-Con 2 grip, two Joy-Con 2 straps and an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable
The console launches on October 29, a week before the game. Nintendo's US store showed it as out of stock when we checked on October 22. Our Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 restock guide tracks where and when it comes back. Nintendo is releasing anniversary editions of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and the carrying case with screen protector the same day, both with a Triforce design.
Total cost if you want the themed console and the game: $519.99 plus $59.99 digital, or $69.99 physical, before tax. If you already own a Switch 2, the anniversary console is purely a collector's purchase, since it plays the same games as any other Switch 2.
Are there preorder bonuses, amiibo or extras?
Early purchase wallpaper (US). Nintendo's US store listing now carries an early purchase bonus: "Purchase the digital version of the game before Nov. 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT and you can get a Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary digital wallpaper." Nintendo sends the wallpaper through a My Nintendo link to your Nintendo Account email after the promotion ends, so it arrives after November 23, not on launch day. The UK store listing did not show the same offer when we checked on October 22.
amiibo. Nintendo's store listing says you can "tap any existing Legend of Zelda series amiibo for in-game extras." Two new figures, Young Link and Young Zelda, arrive in 2027. Tapping them unlocks in-game masks that, in Nintendo's words, "evoke a retro graphical style." The new figures launch after the game does, so they are a later add-on, not a day-one bonus.
ZELDA NOTES. The game supports ZELDA NOTES, a service inside the Nintendo Switch App on compatible phones. Nintendo says it lets you "see your accomplishments for the day, take on the challenge of finding in-game locations based on images, and even play an ocarina on your smart device." It requires a Nintendo Account, a persistent internet connection and a compatible smart device.
Individual retailers sometimes run their own launch-day promotions. Those vary by store and country, and Nintendo does not guarantee them.
What's new compared with the 1998 original and the 3DS version?
The original came out on Nintendo 64 in 1998 and the remastered 3DS version followed in 2011. Nintendo describes the Switch 2 version as "built from the ground up," and its store page and the October 2026 overview trailer post confirm these changes:
- Overhauled visuals: a complete visual rebuild, with HDR and VRR output on compatible TVs
- Voiced cutscenes and expanded dialogue: characters are voiced and, per Nintendo, have "a great deal more to say"
- Symphonic orchestral music: the full soundtrack is re-recorded orchestrally
- Reworked controls and camera: Nintendo's store copy says you can "jump and dash through the action with enhanced controls and modern camera movements"
- Real-world ocarina: you can hum a melody or play a real instrument, and the Switch 2 microphone picks it up so Link's ocarina responds in the game
- Hall of Fallen Heroes: a new area where statues of defeated monsters stand, and you can "learn about them or engage them in a rematch battle"
The story is the same: Link, with his fairy partner Navi, travels between two eras to stop Ganondorf from claiming the Triforce. It is a single-player game playable in TV, tabletop and handheld modes. Nintendo also calls it "an excellent entry point into the Legend of Zelda series," so you don't need to have played the original.
Should I buy digital or physical?
Buy digital if you want the cheaper price ($59.99 vs $69.99 in the US), the October 29 pre-load and no download wait on launch day. Buy physical if you want to resell or lend the game later, or if you're short on internal storage, keeping in mind that Nintendo has not confirmed the physical version's install or update size. Neither version has extra in-game content.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Ocarina of Time come out on Switch 2? On November 5, 2026, according to Nintendo's official announcement and its US store listing. It is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
How much is Ocarina of Time on Switch 2? In the US, $59.99 digital and $69.99 physical on Nintendo's store. In the UK the digital version is £49.99, and in the Eurozone it is €59.99.
What time does Ocarina of Time unlock? Nintendo hasn't posted a game-specific hour. Its standard rules put the Americas unlock at 9 p.m. PT on November 4 (midnight ET on November 5) and the European unlock at 00:00 on November 5.
Is there a preorder bonus? In the US, buying the digital version before November 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT gets you a Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary digital wallpaper, delivered by email after the promotion ends. There is no in-game preorder item.
How big is the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 download? Nintendo estimates 27 GB. The figure may change before launch, since Nintendo notes that download size may not be final at preorder time.
When can I pre-load Ocarina of Time? On October 29, 2026. Nintendo charges eShop preorders 7 days before release and pre-loads the game at the same time.
Does the Zelda Switch 2 console come with Ocarina of Time? No. Nintendo's listing for the $519.99 Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition says "Game not included," so you buy the game separately.
Does Ocarina of Time work on the original Nintendo Switch? No. It is listed as exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.
Do I need the new amiibo? No. Any existing Legend of Zelda series amiibo gives in-game extras. The new Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo, due in 2027, unlock retro-style masks.
