Nintendo Reports Record Zelda Pre-Orders in Israel Ahead of Tel Aviv Launch
Nintendo reports record pre-orders in Israel for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2. A massive midnight launch event is underway at Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv.
Gaming fever is gripping Tel Aviv as Japanese gaming giant Nintendo reports record pre-orders in Israel for the upcoming launch of the remastered version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, one of the most famous and influential video games in history.
The game is set to launch tomorrow, Thursday, November 5, for the Nintendo Switch 2 console, with organizers expecting around 1,500 fans to attend the midnight release event at Dizengoff Center.
Nostalgia and Time Travel
Despite the convenience of digital downloads, thousands of Israelis are expected to participate in the launch celebrations. For many, this is not merely a purchase, but an opportunity to reconnect with a beloved childhood world, meet fellow fans, and take part in traditional midnight release celebrations that continue to thrive in the digital age.
The celebration also marks the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda franchise, which began in 1986 and has since become one of Nintendo's flagship properties alongside Mario and Donkey Kong. The original game, released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, is considered a milestone in the gaming industry due to its transition to 3D graphics, innovative combat mechanics, and a rich world filled with puzzles and adventures. To this day, it maintains an exceptional score of 99 on the Metacritic review aggregator.
Pricing and Availability in Israel
According to prices published on the official Nintendo Israel website, the physical edition of the game will cost 319 shekels, while the digital version will be sold for 275 shekels, a difference of 44 shekels. At the KSP retail chain, the game is available for pre-order at 315 shekels. Fans interested in the special 40th-anniversary edition of the Nintendo Switch 2 console will be required to pay 2,299 shekels, according to Nintendo Israel's pricing.
At the center of the plot is Link, the series protagonist, who embarks on a quest to save the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganondorf, who seeks to seize control of the fantasy realm's sacred power. Throughout the adventure, Link travels between childhood and adulthood, solves puzzles, and uses an ocarina—a magical wind instrument—to influence the world and progress through the game.
The new version goes far beyond simple graphical enhancements. Nintendo has completely rebuilt the visuals, added voice acting to story cutscenes, expanded dialogues, and integrated an orchestral soundtrack. Character and camera controls have also been updated to meet modern standards. Among the new features is the ability to play melodies using the console's built-in microphone, alongside improvements to movement and combat systems.
Special Launch Event at Dizengoff Center
As part of the launch festivities at Dizengoff Center, visitors can test games from the series, participate in an augmented reality puzzle game, and meet characters from the Zelda universe. The main event takes place tonight, featuring a live gaming performance with singer Ella-Lee Lahav, which will also be broadcast on TikTok, followed by a live band performing melodies from the series before the store opens at midnight for pre-order pickups.
