Ethan Crossfield 
French retailer Micromania has cancelled its planned midnight launch events for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time just over a week before release. The move affects every one of the chain's stores and changes how fans can obtain its exclusive preorder box, while other retailers are still expected to open at midnight for Nintendo's Switch 2 remake.
What happened with Micromania's midnight launch
Micromania announced on social media that it will no longer hold midnight openings for Zelda: Ocarina of Time at its stores in France. The retailer did not provide a specific explanation for the cancellation. Recent protests in the country may be a factor, but Micromania has not publicly confirmed a direct connection.
The cancellation does not remove the retailer's preorder promotion. Micromania had planned to offer an exclusive box styled after the PAL packaging of the original Nintendo 64 release. Rather than handing it out during a midnight event, the chain will distribute 5,000 boxes through a random draw among eligible preorders.
Why it matters for Zelda fans and Nintendo
The launch is notable because midnight retail events have become far less common as digital purchases have taken a larger share of game sales. Nintendo is taking a more physical, nostalgia-driven approach for this remake, drawing on continued affection for the 1998 original and encouraging fans to collect the game in person.
Micromania says both in-store and online customers who have already preordered will be entered into the draw. Premium members will receive twice the chance of securing the box. That focus on eligibility is important because the limited packaging, rather than store access alone, appears to be the key concern for collectors.
The remake is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 and launches on November 5. Interest appears strong ahead of release, with pre-sales exceeding expectations and related Switch 2 hardware, including the special edition console and Pro Controller, selling out repeatedly.
What to watch next before release day
The disruption currently appears limited to France. Nintendo's own US stores are still set to host midnight events, while Best Buy locations are also expected to make the game available at that time. Fans outside France should not assume Micromania's decision signals a broader change to launch plans.
The bigger question is whether Zelda: Ocarina of Time can convert enthusiasm around the remake into additional Switch 2 sales. The console has been popular since its 2025 launch, but Nintendo still has a sizable audience of Switch 1 owners who have not upgraded. A major Zelda release could be a meaningful reason for those players to move to the newer system.
What fans should know
- Micromania's midnight events are cancelled at all of its stores in France.
- The retailer's exclusive PAL-style preorder box is still available through a random draw.
- Both online and store preorders are eligible for the draw, including existing orders.
- Micromania premium customers receive double odds in the box draw.
- Nintendo stores in the US and participating Best Buy locations are still expected to offer midnight availability.
Expert View
Micromania's cancellation is a setback for fans who wanted a traditional launch-night experience, but the retailer has preserved the part of the promotion collectors value most. Nintendo's willingness to build a physical event around a legacy game is notable in a digital-first market. If demand remains this high through launch, Ocarina of Time could become a major driver for Switch 2 upgrades.
