The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 comes out on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and the digital version unlocks at midnight: 9:00 p.m. PT on November 4 in the Americas, and 00:00 local time on November 5 in Europe, Japan and Australia. Pre-orders have been downloading since October 29, so most people can play the moment it unlocks. Here are the times, the download size, the price and what to check tonight.
Ocarina of Time release time by region
| Region | Unlock time | Status |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (first) | 00:00 NZDT, Thu Nov 5 | Reported |
| Australia (Sydney) | 00:00 AEDT, Thu Nov 5 | Reported |
| Japan | 00:00 JST, Thu Nov 5 | Reported |
| Spain, France, Germany, Italy | 00:00 CET, Thu Nov 5 | Reported |
| UK and Ireland | 00:00 GMT, Thu Nov 5 | Reported |
| US East (ET) | 00:00 ET, Thu Nov 5 | Reported |
| US Central / Mexico City | 11:00 p.m. CST, Wed Nov 4 | Our math |
| US West (PT) | 9:00 p.m. PT, Wed Nov 4 | Reported |
Nintendo itself only lists the date. These times follow Nintendo’s usual eShop pattern (midnight Eastern in the Americas, local midnight elsewhere), as reported by GameRant and Timesaver. Physical copies are sold from store opening on November 5. Europe and the US are on winter time, so the UK is GMT, not BST.
Preload: how it works Official
Nintendo’s eShop rule is that a pre-order is charged and pre-loaded no sooner than 7 days before release, which for this game meant October 29. The full game downloads ahead of time; at launch you only fetch a small unlock update.
- Check it downloaded. The icon should be on your HOME Menu. If it is still downloading, leave the console in sleep mode connected to Wi-Fi.
- Leave the console in sleep mode tonight. Nintendo says the unlock update installs automatically when the console is asleep and online.
- Payment failed? If your card was declined, Nintendo cancels the pre-order. You can still buy it normally, but you will have the full download to do at launch.
- Vouchers: Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers cannot be used for Switch 2 exclusives, including this one.
File size and storage Reported
| Source | Size |
|---|---|
| Nintendo UK store listing | 24.5 GB |
| Nintendo US store listing | 27 GB |
| Nintendo of Japan advice | At least 27 GB free |
Figures as reported by Notebookcheck and Nintendo Life from Nintendo’s store listings; Nintendo of Japan’s figure includes room for temporary install files. Our math Plan for 27 GB free. On a 256 GB Switch 2 that is about a tenth of the internal storage. If you need more room, the Switch 2 only accepts microSD Express cards; older microSD cards will not work for Switch 2 games.
Price and editions Official
| Version | US | UK | Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital | $59.99 | £49.99 | €59.99 |
| Physical | $69.99 | Varies by retailer | Varies by retailer |
In the US, Nintendo’s store adds a digital early-purchase wallpaper bonus for purchases before November 23. UK and Europe prices are as reported at pre-order; retailers may undercut them.
Ocarina of Time and GTA 6 in the same month
Ocarina lands two weeks before GTA 6 (November 19), which does not come to Switch 2. If you are juggling both, see November 2026 game releases and our Black Friday 2026 gaming deals before buying a second console.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Ocarina of Time come out?
At midnight on November 5 in each region: 9:00 p.m. PT on November 4 (midnight ET) in the Americas, and 00:00 local time in Europe, Japan and Australia, based on Nintendo’s usual eShop schedule.
Can you preload Ocarina of Time on Switch 2?
Yes. Digital pre-orders started pre-loading on October 29, seven days before release. At launch you only download a small update.
How big is Ocarina of Time on Switch 2?
About 24.5 to 27 GB depending on the store listing. Nintendo of Japan advises at least 27 GB of free space.
Is Ocarina of Time on Switch 1?
No. The remake is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
How much does the Ocarina of Time remake cost?
$59.99 digital and $69.99 physical in the US.
Keep reading on HUDWire
Checked on November 2, 2026. Graphic: HUDWire.
Sources
- Nintendo: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Switch 2) store page
- Nintendo Support: Nintendo eShop pre-order and pre-load FAQ
- Gematsu: Ocarina of Time remake launches November 5
- GameRant: Ocarina of Time remake release time
- Timesaver: Ocarina of Time release time in every time zone
- Notebookcheck: Nintendo says Zelda: Ocarina of Time consumes more Switch 2 storage than expected
- Nintendo Life: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 estimated file size revealed