During The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, Nintendo announced a November 5, 2026 release date for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (available for pre-order) and showed its first gameplay on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo also unveiled a Nintendo Switch 2 system themed around The Legend of Zelda. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition launches October 29, 2026.
That was only part of the presentation. Nintendo also announced the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition, new amiibo figures, a carrying case, and two ocarinas. LEGO and Hasbro collectibles are coming too. The year-long anniversary celebration will continue with concerts and The Legend of Zelda live-action movie.
Read on for the biggest announcements from The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, along with what stood out to me most.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches November 5, 2026 with its first gameplay look
After its June reveal, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time returned with its first gameplay demonstration. Nintendo confirmed its November 5, 2026 launch on Nintendo Switch 2. From the original Nintendo 64 game, it’s being “reborn” (as Nintendo calls it) with completely overhauled visuals, refreshed sound, and symphonic orchestral music.
If you played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo 64, some of the changes will stand out right away. You can now freely control the camera with the Right Stick and make Link jump with a button. Link can also dash across longer distances, swim faster, and dive underwater. You can also use motion controls to aim the slingshot.
Nintendo has reworked more than Link’s movement. Characters have expanded dialogue, while in-game cutscenes are now fully voiced. Areas that were once simple backdrops have been filled out with more detail. Time also continues to move inside towns, so events tied to day and night can still change around you.
Nintendo also introduced a new feature called Threads of Time to help you keep track of the adventure. You can check your story progress and see your next objective at any time. A large tapestry gradually fills in as you continue through the game.
The reborn also uses the Nintendo Switch 2 system’s built-in microphone in a neat way. Hum one of Link’s learned ocarina melodies within range of the system and he’ll perform the song in the game.
There’s also a nice extra if you’re planning to buy The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time physically. The first print run comes in special packaging with textured foil cover art, available while supplies last.
ZELDA NOTES connects The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to the Nintendo Switch App
If you haven’t used ZELDA NOTES before, it’s a game-specific service inside the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting its own ZELDA NOTES features to help you track your adventure, find locations, play music, and test your knowledge.
Inside ZELDA NOTES, the Today’s Record section gives you a chronological look at your accomplishments and game stats. You can see information such as how many enemies you’ve defeated and what you accomplished during your play sessions.
Gossip Quest gives you a hint image on your smart device and challenges you to find the matching location in Hyrule. Finding those locations can earn points toward music scores you can use with Play Ocarina.
Play Ocarina is another part of ZELDA NOTES. It uses your compatible smart device’s touchscreen as a virtual ocarina. You can play along with a guide, listen to songs automatically, create your own music scores, and share them using QR codes.
There’s also an Ocarina of Time Quiz with more than 2,000 questions. You get one quiz each day, and you can spend rupees earned in the game for extra attempts.
The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition launches October 29, 2026
If you’ve been waiting for Nintendo Switch 2 hardware themed around The Legend of Zelda, the wait is over. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition launches October 29, 2026.
The system uses a black, gold, and green colour scheme built around the Triforce. A large gold Triforce fills the centre of the dock, surrounded by geometric triangle patterns. The Joy-Con 2 controllers are green and gold with smaller details of The Legend of Zelda series worked into each side.
The themed Nintendo Switch 2 system launches one week before The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I’ve always liked Nintendo’s themed hardware, and I like that this one looks special without covering every surface in The Legend of Zelda series artwork.
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, amiibo and accessories join the lineup
Nintendo also announced the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition featuring a Triforce design. The controller continues the black, gold, and green look of the themed Nintendo Switch 2 system. Gold-coloured The Legend of Zelda series artwork stretches across the face, with black and green grips completing the design.
This caught my eye right away. It looks unmistakably The Legend of Zelda series without feeling overdone.
The anniversary lineup also includes new Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo figures arriving in 2027. Both are based on their younger appearances from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Scan either amiibo figure in the game and you’ll unlock a special in-game mask for Link. Equip it and Link takes on a retro graphical style, giving the figures a fun use beyond simply adding them to your amiibo collection.
Nintendo is also releasing the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition on October 29, 2026. The case takes the same black, gold, and green colour scheme in a darker direction. A large gold-coloured Triforce sits front and centre, while subtle triangle patterns stretch across the black exterior. Brown trim and green zipper pulls finish off the look.
If you’re getting the Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition system, I think the case pairs with it really well. It clearly belongs to the same The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary lineup, but I like that Nintendo gave it its own look instead of simply repeating the artwork from the system or controller.
Nintendo is taking The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time theme even further with two physical ocarinas later in 2026. The first is a playable ocarina that you can use like a traditional instrument. HORI is making an electric version that can play individual notes or complete songs at the press of a button.
Both connect back to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Play one of Link’s learned melodies within range of the Nintendo Switch 2 system’s built-in microphone and Link can perform the song in the game.
LEGO, The Legend of Zelda live-action movie, and more carry the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary into 2027
If you’re interested in the collectibles coming out of The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary, Nintendo’s partners have some big releases planned for 2027. LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Link & Epona is a 1,750-piece collectible display model for adults arriving in spring 2027. The set brings Link and Epona together in a build based on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Hasbro is getting in on the anniversary too. Hasbro’s The Legend of Zelda Electronic Master Sword arrives in spring 2027. The 27-inch replica uses touch and motion sensors to trigger more than 15 different sounds.
The Legend of Zelda live-action movie
The celebration goes well beyond collectibles. The live-action movie, officially titled The Legend of Zelda, will open in theatres worldwide on April 30, 2027. Nintendo says the movie draws from stories, ideas, and concepts built up throughout 40 years of The Legend of Zelda games.
This is one I’m especially curious to see come together. After so many different versions of Hyrule, Link, and Zelda over the years, I want to see what Nintendo chooses to bring to live action.
The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series
Music is also getting its own worldwide celebration. The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series begins in Tokyo in January 2027. North American concerts start in Chicago in February, followed by Europe in April and Australia in May.
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan, and Nintendo Today! are joining the celebration as well. A special anniversary ticket design arrives at Nintendo Museum on September 9, 2026, with new photo opportunities beginning November 5, 2026. Nintendo Today! is adding daily The Legend of Zelda series digital cards and anniversary-themed calendar animations.
For me, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was easily the highlight of the Direct. Seeing how Nintendo is updating the movement, camera, characters, and world has me eager to return to Hyrule. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition and the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition are right behind it for me. I’m also looking forward to seeing how The Legend of Zelda translates to live action when it arrives April 30, 2027.
With the Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition arriving October 29, 2026, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time following on November 5, 2026, and more releases and events stretching into 2027, there’s a lot for The Legend of Zelda fans to be excited about.
Which announcement from The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments below.
