Nintendo has revealed a major lineup of The Legend of Zelda anniversary celebrations during its Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time receiving a major Nintendo Switch 2 release alongside new hardware, accessories, music events, collectibles, and more. The anniversary celebrations will continue throughout 2026 and into 2027, culminating in the worldwide release of the series’ live-action movie.
The biggest announcement was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2. The classic 1998 adventure will launch on November 5 with completely overhauled visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, improved camera and movement controls, faster loading, and other enhancements.
Nintendo says the game’s environments have been extensively remodeled, with updated textures and additional visual details. The day and night cycle will also continue regardless of whether Link is exploring the overworld or visiting towns.
Movement and controls have been revised as well. Players can now jump and run using newly added button commands, while the Right Stick provides improved camera control.
A new Threads of Time feature will let players track their progress and see their next objective at any point during the adventure. A large tapestry will also gradually fill in as Link progresses through the story.
The Switch 2 version also introduces a new way to interact with Link’s iconic ocarina. Players can hum melodies they have learned into the console’s built-in microphone, prompting Link to play the corresponding song. The game will also support the new playable and electric ocarinas coming later this year.
The physical edition of Ocarina of Time will receive special packaging for its first print run, featuring textured foil cover art. This edition will be available while supplies last.
Nintendo is also releasing a collection of Zelda-themed hardware and accessories to mark the anniversary. The Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition will launch on October 29, one week before Ocarina of Time. An anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will also be available, with versions offered with and without a display stand, alongside a matching Switch 2 carrying case and screen protector. The products feature a Triforce-inspired design.
Two Zelda-themed ocarinas are planned for later this year. One is a playable instrument, while HORI is producing an electric version capable of playing individual notes or entire songs at the press of a button.
Nintendo is also expanding its Zelda amiibo lineup. Young Link and Young Zelda figures based on Ocarina of Time will launch in 2027 and can be used to unlock special masks featuring a retro graphical style. Meanwhile, the previously announced Mineru’s Construct amiibo for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will release on September 17.
The Nintendo Switch App is also getting additional ZELDA NOTES functionality for Ocarina of Time. Players will be able to use the service to record their daily progress, track statistics such as defeated enemies, locate areas through hint images, play a virtual ocarina, and participate in a large quiz.
The new Ocarina of Time quiz will contain more than 2,000 questions, with players able to take it once per day or use rupees earned in the game for additional attempts. The virtual ocarina can be played through the smart device’s touchscreen, with options to follow a guide, have songs played automatically, or create original music scores that can be shared using QR codes.
Nintendo is also introducing a daily record feature that provides a chronological history of the player’s accomplishments. Another feature called Gossip Quest asks players to locate areas in Ocarina of Time using images displayed on their smart device, rewarding successful searches with points toward ocarina music scores.
The Zelda 40th Anniversary celebrations will extend beyond games and hardware. Nintendo has announced a worldwide concert series for 2027 featuring music from across the franchise, ranging from classic compositions to more recent material.
The Japan tour will begin in Tokyo in January, followed by a North American tour starting in Chicago in February. The European leg will begin in London in April, while the Australian tour will start in Melbourne in May.
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto will also host anniversary activities. A special Zelda 40th Anniversary ticket design will be available from September 9, followed by new photo opportunities from November 5. The museum will also open its Super Family Restaurant in fall 2026, giving visitors a place to eat surrounded by Link and other Nintendo characters. The anniversary activities at the museum will continue for a full year.
Nintendo’s Nintendo Today smart device app will begin offering daily digital cards based on The Legend of Zelda series starting September 9. The app’s Zelda-themed calendar animations will also rotate through games from across the franchise.
Additional collaborations are planned with Nintendo’s partners. LEGO will release The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Link & Epona in spring 2027. The set contains 1,750 pieces and is designed as a collectible display model for adults.
Hasbro is also preparing a Legend of Zelda Electronic Master Sword for spring 2027. The replica measures 27 inches and features more than 15 sounds activated through touch and motion controls.
Nintendo is highlighting the existing Zelda library as another way to celebrate the franchise’s history. On Nintendo Switch 2, players can access the Switch 2 editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, while Nintendo Switch users can play the Switch versions of those games along with titles including The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
Nintendo Switch Online subscribers can also revisit older Zelda games through the Nintendo Classics libraries. The company’s Nintendo Music service is additionally available through its smart device app and web browser, giving players another way to experience music from the series.
The anniversary celebrations will also lead into the franchise’s upcoming movie. Nintendo, Arad Productions Inc., and Sony Pictures Entertainment are producing an original live-action film officially titled The Legend of Zelda. The movie will be based on the stories, ideas, and concepts developed across 40 years of Zelda games and is scheduled to arrive in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027.
With Ocarina of Time arriving on Switch 2, new anniversary hardware and merchandise planned, a worldwide concert tour on the horizon, and the live-action film scheduled for 2027, Nintendo’s 40th anniversary celebration will span games, music, entertainment, and physical collectibles throughout the next year.
