The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time sold 5.2 million copies in its first four days on the Nintendo Switch 2, making it the fastest-selling Nintendo-published title on the console.
The game, which launched worldwide on Thursday has quickly established itself as a commercial juggernaut, with Nintendo confirming that the total includes both physical and digital units.
Nintendo’s official statement, issued by President and Representative Director Shuntaro Furukawa from the company’s headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, highlighted that 810,000 of the 5.2 million units were sold within Japan. Industry figures indicate that roughly one in five Switch 2 owners purchased the title within the initial four-day window.
While Mario Kart World remains the best-selling title on the Switch 2 at 16.48 million units, the Ocarina of Time remake has firmly secured its spot as the second best-selling game on the platform.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 Sells Over 5.2 Million Units Worldwide in First Four Days https://t.co/ckIaykkjIF pic.twitter.com/TV2mQx8ToU
The remake updates the 1998 Nintendo 64 classic, which originally served as the franchise’s transition into 3D gameplay. While the remake features overhauled, high-resolution graphics and new battle animations, Nintendo has opted to preserve the original story and gameplay loops.
The experience centers on Link’s journey through two distinct time periods as both a child and an adult, using unique items and abilities to move through the world. The game now incorporates particle effects and environmental fog that heighten the atmosphere of various dungeons.
To assist players, Nintendo included a new feature called “Threads of Time,” which tracks player progress. The game also supports "ZELDA NOTES," a companion service accessible via the Nintendo Switch App on compatible smart devices, providing tools to help users manage their adventure. Despite these modern additions, critics have said that the core design remains largely unchanged.
As one reviewer noted, “They haven’t tried to reinvent the game, nor have they just given it a fresh coat of paint. They’ve taken a game that was already special and given the world and the characters in it the detail that our imaginations were filling in all those years ago.”
The November 5 release date was marked by global midnight launch events, including large gatherings in cities like London, Paris, Melbourne, and Mexico City. At key locations, Nintendo has senior executives waiting at the tills.
In London, hundreds of fans queued outside retailers to obtain early copies, with many receiving exclusive commemorative items such as ocarina-shaped keyrings and replica 1998 N64 boxes. Some players received their copies even earlier than the official launch date due to shipping discrepancies at select retailers.
To celebrate the launch, Nintendo also released a limited-edition Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console. While the console initially sold out, Nintendo confirmed it is working with retailers to replenish stock.
As the gaming community continues to engage with the title, further performance metrics for the North American market are expected to be disclosed by Circana in their report on December 17. Meanwhile, fans have speculated about the potential for future content, with some reports suggesting the possibility of Master Quest DLC.
Earlier coverage: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Praised by Critics