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Zelda: Ocarina of Time Midnight Launch Events Set for Nintendo NY and Nintendo San Francisco

Nintendo is planning midnight launch events at Nintendo New York and Nintendo San Francisco for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Entry requires a Warp Pipe Pass, reservations open October 26 and are first come, first served, and there are limits on how many copies and items each guest can buy.

Translated from Japanese with AI. Read the original (Japanese)

The facts

Midnight Launch Events at Nintendo NY and Nintendo San Francisco

Nintendo New York will host an event celebrating the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on November 5, 2026.

Nintendo San Francisco will hold its event for the same release from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on November 4, 2026.

Both are in-person, in-store events scheduled for nighttime hours around the release date.

Sources: siliconera.com, nintendo.com, nintendo.com

Reservations Open October 26, First Come, First Served

Event reservations are set to open at 6:00 p.m. ET on October 26, 2026 for Nintendo New York, and at 3:00 p.m. PT on October 26, 2026 for Nintendo San Francisco.

Reservations are first come, first served and are expected to close once capacity is reached.

Both stores require a Warp Pipe Pass to take part. It is the name Nintendo uses for the entry pass at its store events.

Sources: siliconera.com, nintendolife.com, nintendo.com, nintendo.com

One Pass Per Person, One Game Copy Per Guest

Participation passes are limited to one per person. Guests cannot reserve multiple passes together.

At the events, each guest can buy only one copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Additional products sold at the stores are also limited to one of each item per guest.

Guests who buy the game will receive a purchase bonus while supplies last.

Sources: siliconera.com, nintendolife.com, nintendo.com, nintendo.com

Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Console Also on Sale

Both stores will also sell a Nintendo Switch 2 console with a design marking the 40th anniversary of Zelda.

The midnight events are set up not only for the game itself but also for customers hoping to get the anniversary console.

Specific prices and stock numbers for the console and related products have not been disclosed in the information confirmed so far.

Sources: siliconera.com, nintendolife.com, nintendo.com, nintendo.com

Analysis

What the Midnight Launch Events Signal

Nintendo opening its own stores for a midnight release looks like a move to position those stores as places where fans gather, not just places to buy a game. Designing the trip itself as an experience around release day is the notable part.

Requiring a reserved pass and setting detailed purchase limits are practical steps against crowding and reselling. Popular titles can sell out or be resold at high prices right after launch, and these rules suggest Nintendo is working to keep in-store sales fair.

At the same time, only as many fans as each store's capacity allows can attend. For fans who live far away or would rather buy online, the in-store event could mean a difference in who gets a chance to buy. How Nintendo handles sales and bonuses outside the stores will be the next point to watch.

Sources: siliconera.com, nintendolife.com, nintendo.com, nintendo.com

No Details on Plans Outside the US Stores

The information confirmed here covers only the New York and San Francisco stores. These sources do not mention similar events at stores or online in other regions.

Events at Nintendo's overseas stores may be decided separately from sales plans in each country or region. Fans outside the US will be watching for whether their own regions get launch celebrations or bonuses.

A midnight launch builds excitement for release day while also limiting who can take part. How Nintendo balances in-store events with regular sales will be a key point in watching its store strategy going forward.

Sources: siliconera.com, nintendolife.com, nintendo.com, nintendo.com

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Questions

What do I need to attend the events?
Both Nintendo New York and Nintendo San Francisco require a Warp Pipe Pass. Reservations are first come, first served and limited to one pass per person.
How many copies of the game can I buy at the event?
Each guest can buy one copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Additional products are limited to one of each item per guest.
Can I buy the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console there?
Both stores plan to sell a Nintendo Switch 2 console with a design marking Zelda's 40th anniversary. Specific prices and stock numbers have not been disclosed in the information confirmed so far.
Will there be similar events in other regions?
The information confirmed here covers only the two US stores. These sources do not mention similar events in other regions.

Sources

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