Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Delivers Huge UK Launch, Beating Breath of the Wild’s Debut
Nintendo’s return to one of its most beloved adventures is already making noise at retail. Early UK launch data suggests that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 has started stronger than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild did at launch, showing just how powerful nostalgia can be when paired with a modern Nintendo console.
According to preliminary sales figures, physical copies of the Ocarina of Time remake sold 35% more in its first week than Breath of the Wild managed during its 2017 debut. That is a major achievement, especially considering that Breath of the Wild is widely regarded as one of the most important games in the Zelda franchise and helped define the original Nintendo Switch era.
The remake has not reached the launch heights of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, however. Current figures suggest Ocarina of Time is selling at around half the pace of the 2023 sequel. Even so, that comparison needs context. Tears of the Kingdom launched into a massive audience, with more than 125 million Nintendo Switch consoles already sold by the time it arrived. The Switch 2 is still much earlier in its life cycle, with a smaller but rapidly growing player base.
That makes the Ocarina of Time remake’s performance even more impressive. The game is currently aimed at a Switch 2 install base of over 26 million owners, far below the audience available to Tears of the Kingdom. Despite that, it has reportedly become the strongest physical game launch in the UK for 2026 so far, outperforming major releases across other platforms.
The success also proves that players are still highly interested in classic Zelda experiences when they are rebuilt for modern hardware. Ocarina of Time first became a landmark release on the Nintendo 64, and its influence on action-adventure games remains enormous. For many fans, the remake is not just another re-release, but a chance to experience a legendary game with updated visuals, refined controls, and the convenience of new hardware.
Physical editions appear to be a big part of the excitement. Reports before launch indicated strong demand for the boxed version, especially the edition featuring a textured foil cover. At one point, the game reportedly passed 100,000 pre-orders on Amazon US within a 30-day period, showing that collectors and longtime fans were eager to secure a copy ahead of release.
The strong retail performance is also notable because physical game sales have generally declined as digital purchases continue to grow. Yet Nintendo’s audience remains especially active in the boxed games market, and premium editions of major franchises like Zelda continue to attract attention from collectors.
Competition in 2026 has been fierce, with major names such as Resident Evil Requiem and Call of Duty also fighting for retail attention. Still, the Ocarina of Time remake has managed to stand out as the leading physical release in the UK so far this year. That gives Nintendo another early win for the Switch 2 and reinforces the value of its strongest first-party franchises.
The biggest sales test of the year may still be ahead, as Grand Theft Auto 6 is expected to dominate when it launches on November 19. Even without a traditional disc version, retail interest remains high, partly due to rumors that boxed cases may include a double-sided poster. Digital sales will likely play a huge role in GTA 6’s final numbers, but its arrival could reshape the 2026 sales charts almost instantly.
For now, though, Zelda is enjoying a powerful moment. The Ocarina of Time remake has shown that a carefully handled revival of a gaming classic can still compete with modern blockbuster releases. With strong early sales, collector demand, and a growing Switch 2 audience, Nintendo may have another long-term hit on its hands.
