Link is back – and how. The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 has sold over 5.2 million copies worldwide in its first four days after launching on November 5th. Nintendo officially confirmed this today. In Japan alone, 810,000 copies were sold through retail stores and the eShop.
According to Nintendo, this marks the highest global four-day sales for any Nintendo-published game on the Switch 2. This count includes both physical and digital versions. In short: Ocarina of Time is the strongest first-party launch for the console in its early lifespan.
How many units has Zelda: Ocarina of Time sold on Switch 2?
An overview of the raw figures from Nintendo's announcement:
- Over 5.2 million units sold worldwide in the first four days
- Of these, 810,000 units were sold in Japan
- Released worldwide on November 5, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2
- Both retail and download versions are counted
- Record: best four-day launch for a Nintendo-published Switch 2 game
Critical acclaim also provided momentum: according to Insider Gaming, the remake holds a Metascore of 96 on Metacritic. This is a rating most games can only dream of – and even competitors are showing respect. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick called the 96 “terrific” to GamesBeat, as reported by Nintendo Life, adding that Nintendo should be “very proud” of it. Interestingly, Take-Two itself is on the verge of its own mega-launch with GTA VI.
Complete remake instead of a port – what's included
Important for anyone still considering: this is not a simple port of the 1998 N64 classic, but a complete remake. Nintendo promises redesigned graphics and improved playability without sacrificing the original's feel. You will once again travel as young and adult Link between two time periods, utilizing different abilities and items depending on the era.
New to this version is support for ZELDA NOTES in the Nintendo Switch App for smartphones. This provides various additional functions to assist you during gameplay. Good to know: you only need a free Nintendo Account for this; a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is not required.
And there could be more to come: a few days ago, a leak circulated regarding Master Quest as a possible DLC for the Ocarina remake. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
Why the Ocarina of Time record is more than just a number
Consider this for a moment: a remake of an almost 30-year-old game has surpassed every previous Nintendo launch on the Switch 2. Since 1998, Ocarina of Time has been considered one of the most influential 3D titles ever – Z-targeting, context-sensitive actions, dungeon design, much of it remains standard today. Nintendo's decision to not just polish this classic but completely rebuild it was a risk: fans of the original are notoriously sensitive when 'their' Zelda is tinkered with. However, the combination of a 96 rating and record sales demonstrates that the balance between nostalgia and modern expectations has been successfully struck.
Our assessment: Nintendo will likely interpret this as a clear signal to re-release more classics with this level of depth. For those who haven't joined the hype yet, this proves that good remakes don't have to be mere nostalgia cash-grabs. It will be interesting to see if Ocarina of Time maintains this momentum through the holiday season – with GTA VI, a rather large contender is also on the horizon.
Source: Nintendo (Press Release), Insider Gaming, Nintendo Life
Have you already picked up the Ocarina remake, or are you waiting for a potential Master Quest DLC?
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