Best Buy is bringing back the midnight launch tradition for the upcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Switch 2 next month, aiming to recreate the retail experience of decades past. For consumers who have preordered the game, there is an option to change their fulfillment to an in-store midnight pickup on November 5.
This event will allow players to queue up outside Best Buy locations to receive their copy of the highly anticipated remake, mirroring the practices from before the widespread adoption of digital storefronts. The original The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launched for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, a time when physical retail was the primary, if not only, method of acquiring games immediately upon release.
Beyond preordered copies, the midnight launch will also feature limited quantities of the special 40th-anniversary Zelda-themed Switch 2 system and a matching Pro Controller available for purchase. These collectible items proved highly popular, with the Zelda-themed console selling out shortly after its announcement last month.
Nintendo first showcased gameplay footage for the Ocarina of Time remake in September, revealing a comprehensive visual overhaul and several gameplay enhancements. The Switch 2 exclusive title will include eight significant changes from the original, such as the ability to jump at any point in the game, a feature that could notably alter player interaction with the environment and challenges.