The Legend of Zelda has given Nintendo plenty to celebrate over the past 40 years, but few games in the franchise have left a mark quite like Ocarina of Time (building incredible hype for its upcoming remake). The classic 1998 Nintendo 64 game helped define what 3D adventure games could be, and its influence can still be seen across the industry today. All of that is evidenced by the remake’s sales, which have prompted a response from a Nintendo president.
Interest in Zelda: Ocarina of Time has remained strong for decades, making its remake an especially exciting prospect for fans. Alongside the upcoming remake itself, special-edition hardware offers another way for fans to celebrate 40 years of Link’s adventures in The Legend of Zelda, though getting hold of these products has become increasingly difficult.
Nintendo Addresses Supply and Demand for Ocarina of Time Remake + Special Edition Products
Nintendo has now admitted that it underestimated demand for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and its 40th anniversary products. Speaking with Coelho, Bill van Zyll, Nintendo’s vice president and general manager for Latin America, described the response as a “global phenomenon” and said the company “underestimated how well it would be received.” He also confirmed that Ocarina of Time has been doing “extremely well” in the United States, with physical demand causing shortages across multiple markets. As van Zyll explained,
“Well, if we expected it, we wouldn’t be in that situation, right? At least not to this extent. I will tell you that it’s a global phenomenon. We have this issue absolutely everywhere. We apologize for that. That certainly is not the intent. We underestimated how well it would be received. And there are certainly some markets that stand out. The United States did extremely well as well. It’s a global phenomenon where they’re running out of product. The pre-sales are hitting their max, and certainly that’s what happened to us in Brazil. We are working on replenishments of the special hardware and the software, but it’ll take a little bit of time.”
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition Nintendo Switch 2 console sold out quickly in many regions and has yet to receive a large-scale restock. Van Zyll acknowledged that Nintendo expected a positive response but was caught off guard by the magnitude of the interest. “If we expected it, we wouldn’t be in that situation, right?” he said, while apologizing for the shortages. He added that the issue extends beyond one region, with products selling out and preorders reaching their limits in markets around the world.
Fans who missed out may still get another chance to pick up the anniversary hardware. Van Zyll confirmed that Nintendo is working on replenishments for the special Nintendo Switch 2 console, controller, and software, although he could not share specific dates or quantities. The company intends to restock these products, but fans will need to be patient while those plans come together, hopefully ahead of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake‘s November release date.
The response shows that interest in The Legend of Zelda remains strong, especially when Nintendo revisits a classic as popular as Ocarina of Time. While the company anticipated that the anniversary products would be successful, demand has apparently gone well beyond its expectations; hopefully, that’s enough to invite even more new remakes or re-releases like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker in the future.
- Released
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November 5, 2026
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
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Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
