Nintendo’s second remake of the 1998 classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has set a new sales record on the Switch 2 platform. Within four days of its November 5 launch, the title moved more than 5.2 million copies, earning the distinction of being the fastest‑selling Nintendo‑published game ever on the Switch 2.
Record‑Breaking Sales
At 5.2 million units, the remake also ranks as the second‑best‑selling Nintendo game on the Switch 2, trailing only Mario Kart World, which has accumulated 16.48 million copies to date. While the Mario Kart franchise traditionally dominates the top spot, analysts note that if the current sales velocity continues, the Zelda remake could eventually overtake its racing counterpart. Nonetheless, the overall best‑selling title on the broader Switch ecosystem remains Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which still leads by a wide margin.
Anniversary Celebrations and Media Tie‑Ins
The release aligns with Nintendo’s 40th anniversary of the Zelda series, a milestone that the company is marking with a suite of related products, events, and media. In addition to the remake, the celebration includes an upcoming worldwide orchestral tour that will feature music from the franchise. A live‑action Zelda film is also scheduled to debut in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027, expanding the series’ presence beyond gaming.
Critical Reception
Critical response has been strong. Game Informer awarded the remake a 9.25 out of 10, with reviewer Kyle Hilliard praising the experience as “the ultimate surprise” that moved him deeply, noting how the updated version preserves the magic of the original while adding thoughtful enhancements. Hilliard’s comments highlight the emotional resonance the game retains nearly three decades after its initial release.
The remake launched exclusively on the Switch 2, and Nintendo has supplemented the launch with a series of supplemental pieces. Interviews with the game’s producers discuss changes made to the original, hidden easter eggs, and even a Bombchu bowling alley operator. Additional coverage breaks down which easter eggs made it into the 2026 remake and which did not. Separate features explore how the Switch 2 Pro controller can further improve the gameplay experience, and an interview with award‑winning composer Jon Batiste delves into the updated score.
Fans have been encouraged to share their impressions in the comments section of the coverage, indicating strong community engagement around the title’s release. The combination of record sales, anniversary tie‑ins, and positive critical appraisal positions the Ocarina of Time remake as a flagship moment for Nintendo on its newest hardware generation.
Norman Pearlstine is the Executive Editor and Co-Founder at News Raise. With over two decades of experience across financial journalism, corporate governance, and market analysis, Norman leads the editorial direction and ensures strict adherence to journalistic accuracy and ethics.
