Ocarina Of Time Preorder

Some things never change. Back in 1998, fans lined up at game stores to drop deposits on a game that hadn't even released yet. Over 325,000 Americans reserved their copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time before launch day, a record that still stands in the Guinness World Records for most advance orders for a video game [citation:2][citation:6]. Now, nearly three decades later, that same fever is back.

The Remake Is Real, And So Are The Preorders

Nintendo finally pulled back the curtain on the Ocarina of Time remake during its September 2026 Direct, and preorders went live almost immediately [citation:8][citation:11]. The game is heading to Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026, and if history has taught us anything, it's that waiting until launch day might not be the best idea [citation:8].

In the UK, retailer Smyths has the game listed at £54.99, while Nintendo's official store is charging £58.99 for physical and £49.99 for digital [citation:1]. US pricing sits at $69.99 for physical and $59.99 for digital [citation:9]. The Switch 2 itself has a Zelda-themed variant launching slightly earlier on October 29, priced at $519.99 / £434.99, though stock has been moving fast [citation:11].

What You Actually Get For Preordering

Here's where it gets interesting. Nintendo isn't offering a collector's edition this time around, at least not yet [citation:5]. But the first print run of the physical edition comes with special textured foil packaging—a shiny, premium cover that won't be available on later batches [citation:8][citation:9].

UK customers preordering through Nintendo's official store also receive 3D replicas of the three Spiritual Stones from the game, packaged in a display box. There's even an option to add a small ocarina pin badge for an extra £2.99 [citation:1][citation:11].

That might sound modest compared to what came before, but Nintendo has a long history of rewarding early adopters with exclusive goodies.

A Legacy Built On Preorder Culture

The original 1998 release didn't just set sales records—it fundamentally changed how the industry thought about preorders. Nintendo's official program ran from October 24 to November 22, 1998, and anyone who reserved early received a limited edition gold cartridge. The gold version wasn't just cosmetic; it became a status symbol among collectors, and Nintendo made it clear that supplies were limited and wouldn't be available after launch [citation:7][citation:14].

Some retailers sweetened the pot even further. Electronics Boutique handed out t-shirts and maps alongside the gold carts, turning a simple reservation into an event [citation:7]. The strategy worked spectacularly—the game sold over a million copies in the US within a week of release and generated $150 million in revenue during a period when it was only on shelves for 39 days [citation:4].

When Preorders Became The Main Event

The 2011 Nintendo 3DS remake took a different approach. Instead of a gold cartridge, preorder customers received a gold sleeve for the game packaging and an exclusive double-sided A2 poster featuring Link in battle on one side and riding Epona across Hyrule on the other [citation:3]. It was a softer incentive, but it still catered to the collector's instinct.

Then there was the GameCube era, when Ocarina of Time/Master Quest—a version with redesigned, harder dungeons—was offered as a preorder bonus for The Wind Waker [citation:12]. For years, that disc remained one of the most sought-after Zelda collectibles.

Should You Preorder The Switch 2 Remake?

If you want the foil cover, yes. Nintendo hasn't explicitly stated that the special packaging is limited to first print runs, but that's the common assumption, and it tracks with how the company has handled physical releases before [citation:9]. Waiting means risking a standard gray box instead of something worth displaying.

Digital buyers have a different incentive: preloading. Purchasing through the eShop lets you download the game ahead of time and start playing the moment it unlocks [citation:9]. No foil, no Spiritual Stones, but zero wait.

For those eyeing the Zelda-themed Switch 2 console, availability has been spotty. Many retailers sold out quickly, though Nintendo has encouraged customers to check back for restocks [citation:11]. The Pro Controller and new amiibo figures of Young Link and Young Zelda are also on the horizon, with the amiibo slated for sometime in 2027 [citation:11].

The More Things Change

There's something almost poetic about watching the same ritual repeat itself. In 1998, people put down money on a game they'd only seen in magazines and trailers. In 2026, they're doing it again—this time for a remake of that very same game. The gold cartridge is gone, replaced by textured foil and PVC Spiritual Stones. But the impulse is identical: make sure you don't miss out.

Nintendo knew what it was doing back then. It still does.