Video games news, releases, esports and culture — all the biggest gaming stories in one place.
Zelda Ocarina of Time release time in your time zone
Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 is due to launch at midnight on March 5 in the easternmost time zone of each region, with release times varying around the world. The timing matters for players planning when to start, while the game’s visual overhaul and quality-of-life changes distinguish it from the 2011 3DS version.
The article says US players on the East Coast can expect access at 12 a.m., while those in San Francisco can play from 9 p.m. on March 4. Linking a Nintendo Account to another region may allow earlier access, but changing an existing account can be troublesome because save data is tied to it; the game also works only on Switch 2. US pre-orders offer a foil-cover game case as a bonus, which has sold out on Amazon, and the separately sold Switch 2 console does not include the game.
In short
- The remake launches at midnight on March 5 in each region’s easternmost time zone.
- It is exclusive to Switch 2 and includes visual and quality-of-life upgrades.
- US pre-orders offer a foil-cover case, and the console does not include the game.
Explained simply
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an adventure game first released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. Players guide Link through a fantasy world as he explores, solves puzzles and battles enemies; a revised version for the Nintendo 3DS followed in 2011.
Nintendo’s new version is for the Switch 2, its newer games console, and includes updated visuals and changes intended to make parts of play more convenient. A Nintendo Account is used to access online services and is linked to a player’s game data, including saved progress.
Nintendo releases games at set local times, which can mean people in different time zones get access at different moments. The Switch 2 version also requires that console, which is sold separately from the game.