Preordering The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2 just got $10 cheaper. Nintendo Wire reported on Oct. 20 that Amazon and Walmart cut the physical preorder from $69.99 to roughly $59.99, and the price held through today, Oct. 24, 2026. The game ships Nov. 5, 2026, and the listings identify it as a Nintendo Switch 2 title.
The Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Preorder Cut at a GlanceRetailer Price Check: Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best BuyAmazon: $59.99 and a preorder price guaranteeWalmart: $59.88 and a busy preorder pageWhy a Physical Copy Now Costs the Same as DigitalThe Nov. 23 Wallpaper Bonus and the 40th Anniversary Tie-InWhat the Remake Adds on Switch 2Historical Context: Nintendo and the Rare First-Party DiscountWhere This Fits in the Switch 2 Pricing StoryMarket Impact: Retailers, Holiday Timing and Rival LaunchesCompetitive Comparison: $59.99 Against Other Big ReleasesThe Savings Math: What $10 Actually Buys YouHow to Lock In the Lower PricePhysical or digital: which format fits youFive Predictions for the Ocarina of Time DealWhat to Watch Between Now and Nov. 5FAQHow much is the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 preorder discount?When does Ocarina of Time release on Switch 2?Is the game also coming to the original Nintendo Switch?Is the digital version cheaper than the physical one?What is the Nov. 23 deadline?Which stores have the lower price?What does the remake add?Does Amazon guarantee the preorder price?Related Coverage
Walmart shows $59.88 for the physical copy, while Amazon lists $59.99 and, per reports, backs it with a preorder price guarantee. That puts the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 preorder level with the digital edition for the first time. Our earlier report on the $10 cut covered the headline. This piece digs into the retailer math, the timing, and what the discount says about how Nintendo games get sold in the Switch 2 era.
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One housekeeping note before the numbers. Some promotional headlines call this the best Zelda deal and say Nintendo Switch. Neither claim holds up as stated. Best is a marketing label, not a verified ranking, and the product pages describe a Nintendo Switch 2 release. We use the accurate platform name throughout.
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The Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Preorder Cut at a Glance
The core facts fit in a few lines. The physical edition carries a list price of $69.99. Amazon and Walmart now sell the preorder for about $10 less, which works out to a cut of roughly 14%. The digital edition sits at $59.99 at many retailers, according to the same coverage. Nintendo has not announced a price change of its own, so this is a retailer promotion rather than a new manufacturer price.
The release date is Nov. 5, 2026, which leaves under two weeks between today and launch. Tom’s Guide framed the offer as a rare preorder discount on a major first-party Switch 2 release, and Nintendo Wire bundled it with other Zelda deals and restocks. IGN’s buying guide also tracks the price across stores.
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Two details matter for shoppers. First, the discount applies to the physical edition, since digital was already $59.99. Second, the price you see on a product page may not match the price in your cart, a caveat Tom’s Guide raised in its coverage. Always confirm the final number at checkout before you count on the full $10.
Retailer Price Check: Amazon, Walmart, Target and Best Buy
Not every store joined the cut. Based on the fact sheet and the retailer reporting we reviewed, Amazon and Walmart sit near $59.99, while Hip2Save and IGN both reported Target and Best Buy still at the full $69.99. The table below sums up where each store stood as of Oct. 24.
RetailerFormatListed priceVersus $69.99 listSourceAmazonPhysical preorder$59.99 (some outlets list $59.88)About $10 offNintendo Wire, IGNWalmartPhysical preorder$59.88About $10 offWalmart listingTargetPhysical preorder$69.99No discountHip2SaveBest BuyPhysical preorder$69.99No discountIGNMany retailersDigital$59.99$10 below physical listNintendo Wire, Tom’s Guide
Amazon: $59.99 and a preorder price guarantee
Amazon’s page lists a Nov. 5, 2026 release date and invites shoppers to preorder now. Reports say the retailer pairs the preorder with a price guarantee, which means you should pay the lowest price offered between ordering and release. Our fact sheet puts Amazon at $59.99. IGN’s buying guide, by contrast, shows $59.88 at Amazon. Cents-level gaps like that often come from timing, so treat the two figures as the same promotion.
Walmart: $59.88 and a busy preorder page
Walmart lists the physical edition at $59.88, a penny under $59.99 on the digital side, and labels it a preorder with a Nov. 5 arrival date. The page also carries a badge saying more than 1,000 units sold since the day before. That is a retailer-side demand signal, not a sales figure Nintendo has confirmed, but it hints that the discount is moving copies.
Why a Physical Copy Now Costs the Same as Digital
The most interesting part of this Ocarina of Time deal is the price parity. Physical editions normally carry the higher sticker price here, at $69.99 against $59.99 for digital. The discount erases that gap. The physical copy lands at $59.88 to $59.99, and the digital edition holds at $59.99 at many retailers.
That has two effects. Collectors who want a shelf copy lose the usual reason to wait for a sale, because the physical version no longer costs a premium over digital. At the same time, digital buyers no longer get the cheaper format by default, which removes one of the main arguments for skipping the case.
Retailers have their own reasons. A preorder at a discount locks in a sale weeks before launch, reduces the chance a shopper compares prices on release day, and builds customer lists for holiday promotions. Amazon’s price guarantee helps here, since it removes the fear of overpaying if the price drops again before Nov. 5.
The Nov. 23 Wallpaper Bonus and the 40th Anniversary Tie-In
Nintendo’s own store page adds a second incentive. Buyers who purchase the digital version before Nov. 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT receive a The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary digital wallpaper. The wallpaper is a small perk, yet it gives digital shoppers something that a discounted physical copy does not.
Note the deadline falls 18 days after launch, so the bonus does not force a preorder. It does reward buying early in the launch window. The timeline below lays out the dates that matter.
DateEventWhy it mattersOct. 20, 2026Nintendo Wire reports $10 preorder cuts at Amazon and WalmartStart of the retailer promotionOct. 24, 2026Walmart and Amazon listings still show preordersDiscount confirmed as liveNov. 5, 2026Release on Nintendo Switch 2Preorders ship and the price guarantee endsNov. 23, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PTDigital wallpaper bonus deadlineLast day to claim the 40th Anniversary wallpaper
What the Remake Adds on Switch 2
The price only matters if the game justifies it. Nintendo’s confirmed feature list for the Switch 2 release includes voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, a symphonic orchestral soundtrack, and enhanced visuals built for the new hardware. Those four items are the substance of the remake pitch. We do not have review scores to cite, and we are not going to guess at performance numbers or resolution targets that no official source has published.
Voiced cutscenes alone change how the game reads. The original told its story through text boxes and a silent hero, and the remake adds spoken performances plus longer conversations. Whether that improves the experience is a taste question. For newcomers, it lowers the barrier to a 3D Zelda that many players know by reputation only.
At $59.99, the pitch is straightforward. You pay less than the $69.99 list price for a first-party remake built for Switch 2 hardware. For a player who already owns the console, that is a clean decision. For a player still deciding whether to buy the hardware, a flagship game at a lower entry price tips the math a little further toward yes, though the console cost itself dwarfs the $10 saving.
Historical Context: Nintendo and the Rare First-Party Discount
Nintendo has a long reputation for holding first-party prices steady. Its own games tend to stay near list price for months or years, and heavy discounts usually come from retailers, not the company. Tom’s Guide leaned on that reputation when it described this offer as a rare preorder discount on the biggest Switch 2 game of 2026.
Preorder cuts are also unusual in themselves. Retailers typically save markdowns for Black Friday or for games that have been out a while. Discounting before launch signals that the stores want the order early, and that Nintendo is comfortable letting them compete on a flagship title. We have no evidence of how much of the cost retailers or Nintendo absorb, so we will not speculate on margins.
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The remake also lands during a milestone year. The 40th Anniversary wallpaper and the branded accessories mentioned in IGN’s buying guide show how much Nintendo is leaning on the franchise’s anniversary for holiday sales.
Where This Fits in the Switch 2 Pricing Story
Switch 2 prices have been a running storyline this fall. We covered the hardware side in our look at the Switch 2 price increase against Steam Deck OLED, and the demand side in our piece on US spending after the price hike. Console prices went up while a flagship game just got cheaper to preorder, which makes a busy mix for shoppers.
The pattern suggests a split strategy. Hardware costs are firm, but software prices at retail have room to move. A $10 break on Ocarina of Time helps offset the cost of entering the ecosystem, and it gives buyers a reason to pick the new console over a handheld PC for a first-party exclusive.
Households weighing a console purchase this season may also watch hardware promos. We tracked early Switch 2 Black Friday deals starting at $549, and pairing a console deal with a discounted launch game is where the real savings sit.
Market Impact: Retailers, Holiday Timing and Rival Launches
For retailers, the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 preorder serves as a traffic driver. A discounted flagship pulls shoppers to the product page, and those shoppers often add accessories, gift cards, or a second game. Amazon and Walmart moved first. Target and Best Buy, per the reports we reviewed, did not. If the gap holds, expect pressure on those two to match before launch.
Timing helps the discount, too. The Nov. 5 release arrives just ahead of a crowded stretch of the calendar. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is already out at $69.99 across six platforms, as covered in our launch breakdown. Rockstar’s next game is the other big name in the conversation, and a Nov. 19 launch date has driven plenty of coverage on this site. A cheaper Zelda preorder gives Nintendo a way to claim wallet share before that rush.
Retail buzz also adds to the picture. IGN reported that Best Buy announced a midnight opening for the Ocarina of Time launch, with Switch 2 consoles also up for grabs. Midnight openings are a sign that stores expect real foot traffic, and they match the demand badge on Walmart’s page.
Competitive Comparison: $59.99 Against Other Big Releases
How does the deal stack up against other recent price points? The table compares Ocarina of Time with titles we have covered recently. All prices come from the linked coverage, and the GTA figure reflects a reported leak rather than a confirmed price.
GamePlatform focusPriceStatusOcarina of Time (physical, discounted)Nintendo Switch 2$59.88 to $59.99Preorder, ships Nov. 5Ocarina of Time (physical, list)Nintendo Switch 2$69.99Target and Best Buy per reportsOcarina of Time (digital)Nintendo Switch 2$59.99Many retailersModern Warfare 46 platforms$69.99LaunchedGTA 6 standard editionConsoles$79.99 (reported leak)Unconfirmed by RockstarShadow of the Tomb RaiderNintendo Switch 2$35.99Launched, older title
Read against that list, the Zelda price sits $10 below the Call of Duty sticker and about $20 below the leaked GTA 6 figure we described in our price leak analysis. It is still far above a catalog port like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which makes sense for a new first-party remake.
The Savings Math: What $10 Actually Buys You
A $10 drop on a $69.99 game equals about 14.3% off, and the Walmart price of $59.88 stretches that to $10.11, or roughly 14.4%. Those percentages look modest next to the 30% and 50% cuts that show up on older catalog titles. Still, a first-party remake of this profile rarely sees any markdown before launch, so the saving carries more weight than the raw number suggests.
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The math gets more interesting for households. A family buying two copies for two Switch 2 consoles saves about $20. A gift buyer who orders for several relatives could cut a larger chunk from a holiday budget, as long as the price still holds in the cart. That multiplies the value of Amazon’s preorder price guarantee, since a later drop would apply to every copy rather than just one.
The saving also competes with other ways to spend the same $10. It covers part of a Switch 2 accessory, a month of a subscription service, or a share of a second game once Black Friday lands. For budget shoppers, the sharper move is to treat the $59.99 price as a baseline and watch for bundles that include the game plus a controller or case. We have seen no confirmed bundle at the time of writing, so that stays a thing to watch rather than a promise.
How to Lock In the Lower Price
A few habits will protect the savings. Add the game to your cart and read the final total before you pay, since displayed prices can differ. Check Amazon’s price guarantee terms in your order. If you use Walmart, confirm the item is the Switch 2 edition, because the same franchise name appears on other products.
Timing matters too. Preorder prices can move in either direction before launch, and retailers sometimes end a promotion without notice. If the $59.99 figure suits your budget, ordering now and relying on a price guarantee is safer than waiting for a deeper cut that may never arrive. If you prefer to keep your options open, set a price alert and recheck the cart on the first days of November.
Physical or digital: which format fits you
With equal prices, the choice comes down to habits. Physical suits collectors, people who lend games to family, and anyone who wants to resell later. Digital suits players who dislike swapping cartridges and want the Nov. 23 wallpaper bonus. Neither format costs more, so pick the one you will actually enjoy.
If you only want the lowest sticker price, Walmart’s $59.88 undercuts everyone by a single cent, which is not worth switching stores for. Choose based on shipping speed, return policy, and whether you already hold a membership.
Five Predictions for the Ocarina of Time Deal
These are our own forecasts, not reported facts, and we label them that way.
Target and Best Buy will match. With Amazon and Walmart already near $59.99, holding at $69.99 invites shoppers to leave. A match before Nov. 5 looks more likely than not.Digital and physical stay level through Black Friday. Retailers have little reason to undercut each other further when the gap is already a single cent.Nintendo keeps its $69.99 list price. The discount lives at retail, and we expect the manufacturer price to stand unchanged.Launch-week stock gets tight at physical stores. Midnight openings and Walmart’s demand badge point to heavy early traffic.More Switch 2 first-party titles get preorder cuts. If this promotion lifts sales, retailers will try the same play on the next big release.
What to Watch Between Now and Nov. 5
Three things are worth tracking. First, whether Target and Best Buy change their prices. Second, whether Amazon’s listing drifts between $59.99 and $59.88, which would show how closely the retailer tracks Walmart. Third, whether Nintendo extends the digital bonus past Nov. 23 or adds new anniversary perks.
We will update our gaming coverage if any of those change. For now, the facts are simple. The Ocarina of Time Switch 2 preorder costs about $10 less at two major retailers, the release date is Nov. 5, and the digital wallpaper deadline is Nov. 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
FAQ
How much is the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 preorder discount?
About $10. The physical edition drops from $69.99 to roughly $59.99, with Walmart listing $59.88, according to Nintendo Wire and retailer pages.
When does Ocarina of Time release on Switch 2?
The release date is Nov. 5, 2026, per Amazon and Walmart listings.
Is the game also coming to the original Nintendo Switch?
The listings we reviewed identify it as a Nintendo Switch 2 title. Some headlines say Nintendo Switch without the 2, but no source we checked supports a release on the original console.
Is the digital version cheaper than the physical one?
Not anymore. Digital sits at $59.99 at many retailers, so the discounted physical copy now costs about the same.
What is the Nov. 23 deadline?
Nintendo says buyers of the digital version before Nov. 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT receive a The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary digital wallpaper.
Which stores have the lower price?
Amazon and Walmart, according to the reports we reviewed. Hip2Save and IGN both reported Target and Best Buy at $69.99.
What does the remake add?
Confirmed features include voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, and visuals built for Switch 2.
Does Amazon guarantee the preorder price?
Reports say Amazon offers a preorder price guarantee. Read the terms on your own order to confirm how it applies.
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