Save file · The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
First release on record 21 Nov 1998 · action-adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a single-player action-adventure published by Nintendo and made by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development. It first went on sale in Japan in November 1998 on Nintendo 64. Link travels Hyrule as a child and as an adult to stop Ganondorf taking the Triforce. The 1998 game is on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 through Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics, which needs Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack at 49.99 USD a year for one US account. A remake exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 launches on 5 November 2026. The US store page showed no dollar price on 29 October 2026. Ocarina of Time 3D reached Europe on 17 June 2011. The Switch 2 edition is rated ESRB E10+ and PEGI 12. It suits a solo Nintendo player who wants both ages of Link in one quest.
Researched from the official pages · Updated
| First release | November 1998, Nintendo 64, Japan |
|---|---|
| Current platforms | Nintendo 64 original via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (Switch and Switch 2); Nintendo Switch 2 remake on 5 November 2026; 3DS 3D edition in Europe from 17 June 2011 |
| Developer | Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development (Nintendo) |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| US price | 1998 original: 49.99 USD/year Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack (individual). Switch 2 remake: no USD amount shown on the US store on 29 October 2026 · checked 29 Oct 2026 |
| Modes | Single-player (1) |
| Age rating | Switch 2 remake: ESRB E10+ (Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence), PEGI 12 (Violence). Original on GameCube/Wii/Wii U: ESRB E (Violence). Wii: USK 6. 1998 cartridge: ACB PG |
| Switch 2 file size | Estimated 27 GB (US store); 24.5 GB (UK store) |
| PC needs | No PC version on official Nintendo or store pages |
Which versions exist, and where can I play them?
The 1998 Nintendo 64 original is on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 inside Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics, which needs a paid Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. Nintendo listed that US collection for 25 October 2021. Nintendo UK listed the Expansion Pack launch, with Ocarina of Time among the first nine Nintendo 64 titles, for 26 October 2021. A remake exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 is dated 5 November 2026 in the United States and the United Kingdom. Nintendo describes it as rebuilt for that system. Ocarina of Time 3D is the Nintendo 3DS edition: Nintendo UK dates the European game card to 17 June 2011 and the European download to 4 October 2012. Nintendo ended eShop purchases for Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family on 27 March 2023. Europe also had Virtual Console editions on Wii (23 February 2007) and Wii U (2 July 2015). Nintendo's Iwata Asks interview places the first Nintendo 64 sale in Japan in November 1998. Official English pages checked for this article do not state a North American cartridge day.
What does it cost in the United States?
The 1998 game is not sold as a standalone US download. Playing it requires Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which Nintendo prices at 49.99 USD per year for one account and 79.99 USD per year for a family of up to eight accounts. Standard Nintendo Switch Online without the Expansion Pack is 19.99 USD per year and does not include the Nintendo 64 library. The Nintendo Switch 2 remake is on Nintendo's US store with a 5 November 2026 date. On 29 October 2026 that product page loaded without a visible dollar amount, so this article records no US sticker price for that edition. A digital purchase of the remake before 23 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT qualifies for a Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary wallpaper after the promotion ends. Save Data Cloud on the remake needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership sold separately. No PC, Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox store page was found.
Is there multiplayer, crossplay, or paid DLC?
Ocarina of Time is a one-player game on every official listing checked. The Nintendo Switch 2, 3DS, and Nintendo 64 / Virtual Console pages all say one player or Single System (1). Nintendo's Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics page mentions online play for up to four players on some other games in that collection, naming Mario Kart 64, and separately notes that you can suspend Ocarina of Time. No official page states online matches, split-screen, or crossplay for Ocarina of Time itself. No paid downloadable expansion appears on the US or UK Nintendo game pages. Compatible Legend of Zelda amiibo, including Young Link and Young Zelda figures due in 2027, unlock extras and are sold separately. The Electric OCARINA OF TIME accessory is dated 5 November 2026; Nintendo says it is not a game controller and that game software is not included.
What does the Nintendo Switch 2 remake add?
Nintendo presents the Switch 2 edition as the 1998 adventure remade for that hardware and exclusive to it. Players still guide Link with Navi against Ganondorf for the Triforce, moving between young Link in Kokiri Forest and adult Link with the Master Sword. Nintendo lists jump and dash on a button, a modern camera, fully voiced cutscenes with extra dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, and overhauled visuals. Songs on the Fairy Ocarina or Ocarina of Time can be entered with buttons, by humming, or by playing an instrument into the Nintendo Switch 2 microphone. The Hall of Fallen Heroes holds statues of defeated monsters for lore and rematch fights. Threads of Time recaps the story and current objectives. Time of day continues in towns. ZELDA NOTES, in the Nintendo Switch App, logs daily accomplishments and adds phone-side tools; Nintendo UK says Nintendo Switch Online is not required for it. Estimated download size is 27 GB on the US store and 24.5 GB on the UK page.
How is the game age-rated?
The Nintendo Switch 2 remake is ESRB E10+ (Everyone 10+) with Animated Blood and Fantasy Violence. The ESRB summary describes third-person combat with swords, shields, arrows, and magic, and green or purple blood effects on some defeated enemies. Nintendo UK displays PEGI 12 with Violence for the Switch 2, 3DS, Wii, Wii U, and Nintendo 64 listings. The ESRB rates the GameCube, Wii, and Wii U editions of the original as E for Everyone with Violence. USK lists the Wii edition as approved from 6 years of age, classified on 4 October 2006. The Australian Classification Board rated the 1998 cartridge PG with consumer advice Low level animated violence on 23 November 1998, naming Nintendo as publisher.
Release dates by platform
| Platform | Date | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 64 | Nov 1998 | Japan | Released |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 05 Nov 2026 | United States | Announced |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 05 Nov 2026 | Europe | Announced |
| Nintendo 3DS | 17 Jun 2011 | Europe | Released |
| Nintendo 3DS (digital) | 04 Oct 2012 | Europe | Released |
| Wii Virtual Console | 23 Feb 2007 | Europe | Released |
| Wii U Virtual Console | 02 Jul 2015 | Europe | Released |
| Nintendo Switch (Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics) | 25 Oct 2021 | United States | Released |
| Nintendo Switch (Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics) | 26 Oct 2021 | Europe | Released |
Prices and editions
| Store | Edition | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo (US) | Nintendo Switch 2 digital remake | — | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Nintendo (US) | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, 12-month individual (unlocks 1998 Nintendo 64 original) | $49.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Nintendo (US) | Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, 12-month family (up to 8 accounts) | $79.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Nintendo (US) | Nintendo Switch Online, 12-month individual (does not include Nintendo 64 library) | $19.99 | 29 Oct 2026 |
Prices change often; each is the store's own price on the day shown.
Modes and features
| Feature | On record | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Single-player | 1 player / Single System (1) | Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 64, Wii, Wii U |
| Online multiplayer | Not listed for Ocarina of Time. Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics adds online play for up to 4 players on some other titles such as Mario Kart 64 | Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Local or split-screen | Not listed | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Crossplay | Not listed | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Cloud saves | Save Data Cloud; Nintendo Switch Online membership sold separately | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Supported languages | 16 language options on the US Switch 2 page: Japanese, British English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Dutch, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Latin American Spanish, Canadian French, Brazilian Portuguese, Traditional Chinese, American English, Polish | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Play modes | TV, tabletop, and handheld | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| amiibo | Compatible; Young Link and Young Zelda figures in 2027 unlock in-game masks. Existing Legend of Zelda series amiibo also give extras. Figures sold separately | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Ocarina input | Button controls, humming, or a real instrument into the Nintendo Switch 2 microphone | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Family-group lending | Supported | Nintendo Switch 2 |
| ZELDA NOTES | Companion service in the Nintendo Switch App; Nintendo Switch Online not required; Nintendo Account, internet, and a compatible smart device required | Nintendo Switch 2 |
Age ratings
| Board | Rating | Content descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| ESRB | E10+ | Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence |
| ESRB | E | Violence |
| PEGI | 12 | Violence |
| USK | 6 | — |
| ACB | PG | Low level animated violence |
FAQ
Can I play Ocarina of Time on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox?
Official Nintendo pages list Nintendo 64, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. No Steam, PlayStation Store, or Xbox page was found.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online for ZELDA NOTES on the Switch 2 remake?
Nintendo UK states a Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required for ZELDA NOTES. A Nintendo Account, internet, and a compatible smart device are required.
Is the Electric OCARINA OF TIME required to play ocarina songs?
Nintendo says songs on the Switch 2 remake can be played with button controls, by humming, or with a real instrument into the system microphone. The Electric OCARINA OF TIME is an optional accessory dated 5 November 2026. Nintendo says it is not a game controller and that game software is not included.
Can I still buy Ocarina of Time 3D from Nintendo eShop?
Nintendo UK states that as of 27 March 2023 it is no longer possible to make purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
Our take
This is a one-player Nintendo adventure: the 1998 Nintendo 64 original through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack at 49.99 USD a year in the US, or the Nintendo Switch 2 remake on 5 November 2026. Pick Expansion Pack if you already subscribe and want the 1998 game on Switch or Switch 2, including suspend-save on the Classics app. Pick the Switch 2 remake for voiced cutscenes, a rebuilt camera, microphone ocarina input, and Hall of Fallen Heroes rematches, and budget about 27 GB. Confirm the US dollar price on Nintendo's store before you pre-order, because it was not shown on 29 October 2026. Cloud backup on the remake needs a separate Online membership. There is no PC, PlayStation, or Xbox edition, and no listed multiplayer for this title.
Best for: Solo players who want Link's child and adult quest on Nintendo hardware; Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members who want the 1998 Nintendo 64 game; Nintendo Switch 2 owners waiting for the 5 November 2026 remake.
Not for: Anyone looking for a PC, PlayStation, or Xbox release; Players who want online or local multiplayer in this title; Buyers who need a listed US dollar price for the Switch 2 remake before the store shows one.
Which version: Use Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack for the 1998 Nintendo 64 game on Switch or Switch 2. Use the Nintendo Switch 2 remake on 5 November 2026 for the voiced, rebuilt edition exclusive to that system.
Built only from the official facts above. We don't review games we haven't played, and nothing here is paid.
Sources
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- ESRB read 29 Oct 2026
- ESRB read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Australian Classification Board read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- USK read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- PEGI read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
- Nintendo read 29 Oct 2026
The record
Every line has its source and the day it was read- Dates on record
- 21 Nov 1998 Wikidata · read 26 Oct 2026
- Developers on record
- Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development, NintendoRoles are not on record, so we name no single developer.Wikidata · role not verified
- Publishers on record
- Nintendo Wikidata
- Genres
- action-adventure game Wikidata
- Modes
- single-player Wikidata
- Age ratings on record
- Wikidata
- Series
- The Legend of Zelda Wikidata
- Platforms on record
- Wii U3DSNintendo 64Nintendo GameCubeWiiVirtual ConsoleiQue Player on Wikidata · on Wikidata without a reference. A platform missing here is not proof it is absent.
Facts: Wikidata Q213911 (CC0), revision 2557252790, read 26 Oct 2026, researched by VGKami Games Research (VGK-WIKIDATA-CENTRE-20261028-V3d). Spotted a wrong fact? Tell us.