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Do You Need the Expansion Pak for Ocarina of Time?

The original Nintendo 64 Ocarina of Time does not require the physical Expansion Pak. The Switch collection has a separate membership requirement.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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No. The original Nintendo 64 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time does not require the physical Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak. If you’re playing through Nintendo’s N64 Classics collection on Switch or Switch 2, you need a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership instead—a separate subscription, not the console accessory.

Do you need the physical N64 Expansion Pak for Ocarina of Time?

No. Nintendo identifies certain N64 games that require the physical Expansion Pak, including Donkey Kong 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, while listing Ocarina of Time among the N64 library without identifying it as a Pak-required game. Taken together, Nintendo’s pages indicate that the original N64 version of Ocarina of Time can be played without the accessory. Nintendo’s N64 accessory overview and Nintendo UK’s N64 overview provide the relevant information.

What the Expansion Pak does—and which games require it

The Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak is a physical accessory that adds 4 megabytes of memory to the console. Nintendo says compatible games can use that extra memory in different ways; the accessory is required for some titles, not for every N64 game.

  • Donkey Kong 64 and Majora’s Mask are among the games Nintendo names as requiring the Pak. Nintendo UK states that these games “require the Expansion Pak to run.”
  • The Majora’s Mask manual makes the requirement explicit: the Expansion Pak must be inserted to play the game. Nintendo’s manual confirms this requirement.

That comparison is useful if you own several N64 games, but it does not make the Pak necessary for Ocarina of Time.

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#1 Best Overall
Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak (Renewed)
  • This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
  • Cartridge is inserted into Nintendo 64 console; doubles original 4MB of memory, for a total of 8MB
  • Allows games to have larger worlds, longer animation sequences, and much more complex gameplay.
  • Increases screen resolution from 320 X 240 pixels up to 640 X 480 pixels
  • Required for games like Donkey Kong 64

What if you’re playing Ocarina of Time on Switch or Switch 2?

Nintendo lists Ocarina of Time in its Nintendo 64 Classics collection. Access to that collection requires a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, as stated on Nintendo’s Nintendo 64 Classics page.

The similar names refer to different things: the original N64 Expansion Pak is a physical memory accessory; Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is a membership. The Switch collection’s membership requirement does not mean the original N64 game needs the physical accessory.

Rank #2
Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak
  • Cartridge is inserted into Nintendo 64 console; doubles original 4MB of memory, for a total of 8MB
  • Allows games to have larger worlds, longer animation sequences, and much more complex gameplay.
  • Increases screen resolution from 320 X 240 pixels up to 640 X 480 pixels
  • Required for games like Donkey Kong 64
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Should you get an Expansion Pak just for Ocarina of Time?

No. If Ocarina of Time is the only game you have in mind, buying the physical Pak is unnecessary for that game. It may matter for other compatible N64 titles, including the ones Nintendo identifies as requiring it.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak (Renewed)
Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak (Renewed)
Increases screen resolution from 320 X 240 pixels up to 640 X 480 pixels; Required for games like Donkey Kong 64
$73.94
Bestseller No. 2
Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak
Nintendo 64 Expansion Pak
Increases screen resolution from 320 X 240 pixels up to 640 X 480 pixels; Required for games like Donkey Kong 64
$69.39
Bestseller No. 3
Original OEM Expansion Pak (Pack) / Memory Card for N64 Console - 4MB RAM
Original OEM Expansion Pak (Pack) / Memory Card for N64 Console - 4MB RAM
EASY TO USE: Insert into the original N64 console directly and ready to go
$79.99
Bestseller No. 5
Tomee 256KB Memory Pak for Nintendo 64 – N64 Memory Card
Tomee 256KB Memory Pak for Nintendo 64 – N64 Memory Card
Store levels, characters, top scores and more with 256KB Memory Card; 123 pages of memory; Load, save, copy and delete game saves with ease
$9.99
Best Value
Tomee 256KB Memory Pak for Nintendo 64 – N64 Memory Card
  • Store levels, characters, top scores and more with 256KB Memory Card
  • 123 pages of memory
  • Load, save, copy and delete game saves with ease
  • Fully compatible with Nintendo 64 games with a save option
Rank #3
Original OEM Expansion Pak (Pack) / Memory Card for N64 Console - 4MB RAM
  • EASY TO USE: Insert into the original N64 console directly and ready to go
  • MAXIMUM RAM: Double original 4MB of memory inside the console, for a total of 8MB right now
  • BOOSTER: Increase screen resolution from 320 X 240 pixels up to 640 X 480 pixels and enhance graphics in N64 games
  • NOTE: Required for the games like Donkey Kong 64, Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and other N64 classics

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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