Ocarina of Time Leaks Early as Best Buy Prepares for Midnight Launch

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is finally getting its big release this week, and if you've been waiting to revisit this all-time classic, there's plenty to look forward to. One of the most interesting things about returning to an older game is seeing how closely its visuals match your childhood memories.

Sometimes, you remember a game looking incredible, only to revisit it years later and realize that your imagination made it look much better than it actually did. However, Ocarina of Time seems to be delivering something closer to what longtime fans remember seeing when they were younger.

Interestingly, someone has already managed to get their hands on an early physical copy.

A user on the Ocarina of Time subreddit, Legacy for Ocarina of Time, has posted proof that they are already playing the upcoming release. They haven't revealed anything major about the game, although they have shared a few screenshots while progressing through different sections.

The user also showed off the physical boxed copy, giving everyone a closer look at what to expect. Unfortunately, the cartridge itself isn't gold, even though many fans might have hoped for that. However, the front cover features a foil finish, which gives it a golden appearance. That particular version also appears to have sold out on Amazon, so getting your hands on one might be a little difficult.

The good news is that the early player has been answering plenty of questions on the subreddit without revealing major spoilers. Although most people already know what happens in Ocarina of Time, the presentation of certain elements and any changes made to the original experience could still be worth keeping secret. There are also questions surrounding the controls, particularly the addition of a dedicated jump button, and whether it might change how you approach certain dungeon sections.

The biggest takeaway from the early impressions so far is that the player seems to be enjoying the game.

They described it as exactly how they remembered it, or perhaps how they imagined it when they were younger. They're already making their way through the adventure, which is a good sign for anyone looking forward to revisiting the classic.

Fortunately, you won't have to wait much longer to experience it yourself. The game is just a few days away, and reviews should go live around launch. Some players will technically get access on Wednesday because the game becomes available in Australia around midday. As a result, those who change their region or travel with their Switch 2 could get an opportunity to play before others.

However, getting the game isn't the only thing people are having trouble with right now. The Zelda Edition Switch 2 system and the accompanying Pro Controller are reportedly selling out across retailers. Several people have already mentioned that they're struggling to find either piece of hardware in stock.

There is some good news, though. Best Buy is preparing a midnight release for Ocarina of Time and is reportedly holding stock for both the Zelda Edition Switch 2 system and the Pro Controller. Nintendo also shared some information a few days ago that appears to provide an idea of how much stock certain locations might have available.

Some images circulating online appear to show internal Best Buy inventory information, while other websites let you check stock levels by store.

Availability will depend on your location, but some California stores reportedly have as many as 100 Switch 2 systems available. Meanwhile, certain locations could have up to 50 Pro Controllers in stock.

That means you might still have an opportunity to pick up the hardware if you're willing to visit a Best Buy store during its midnight release. Of course, you'll probably have to wait in line, and there's a chance people will practically camp outside certain locations to get their hands on the Zelda Edition system.

The situation might be slightly different if you're only interested in the game itself. Best Buy appears to have plenty of copies available, and you can even order one through its website and select in-store pickup for midnight. Based on the previous Switch 2 launch, the retailer seems to have experience handling these events.

The launch itself attracted a massive crowd, but the process was reportedly well organized, with customers moving through the stores relatively quickly.

This upcoming release could be another interesting event, especially considering how rarely you see midnight launches dedicated to a single game nowadays. While the Switch 2 system and Pro Controller are certainly part of the excitement, Ocarina of Time is ultimately the main attraction. Best Buy appears to be going all out for the occasion, and GameStop is also getting involved with its own launch plans.

Walmart could also become another option, particularly if you're ordering the game for home delivery. With several retailers preparing for the release, Ocarina of Time is shaping up to be a notable launch for Nintendo, especially for fans who want to experience the classic again while picking up some of the new Zelda-themed hardware.