The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct: all the announcements
This year marks the 40th Anniversay of the Legend of Zelda series, and to celebrate, Nintendo has prepared several projects. Said projects were showcased during the latest Nintendo Direct presentation, which was livestreamed earlier today.
As previously announced, this new presentation ran for about 30 minutes, and gave us our first proper look at the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2. It also featured a teaser for the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, but with just the logo and final title of the movie (more details coming at a later date).
Missed the presentation? You can now check out the full recording on YouTube:
Next up, here’s a few videos for you to check out if you don’t feel like watching the full thing (or if you want to rewatch certain parts).
First up is the special orchestral performance that Nintendo opened the Direct with:
The second video is an extended look at the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake with Eiji Aonuma. The game releases on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5th.
After that, Nintendo revealed a special Nintendo Switch 2 model, to be released on October 29th worldwide. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition includes a Nintendo Switch 2 console and its dock (with special design for console, dock, and even Joy-Con 2!), but no copy of the game (which launches the following week).
Finally, Nintendo closed the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct with a new trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2:
Speaking of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2, here’s additional details from the press release:
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: Coming Nov. 5, the classic adventure is reborn on Nintendo Switch 2 with various enhancements. Details shared in the presentation include:
- Improved performance and presentation: Visuals have been completely overhauled down to the textures of each material, actions feel snappier and more satisfying, load times are faster, the game runs much smoother, sounds have been refreshed and the game includes symphonic orchestral music.
- Greater movement and control: Jump and run freely with newly added button commands and enjoy improved camera control with the Right Stick.
- A more immersive Hyrule: Characters that Link meets are fully voiced during expanded cutscenes and have a great deal more to say. Freely move the camera in fully remodeled locations for a more dynamic experience with various new details. The day/night cycle now continues no matter where you are, even in towns.
- Threads of Time: At any point during the adventure, see the progress you’ve made in the story and check your next objective. A large tapestry will also gradually fill in as your journey continues.
- Play ocarina tunes: Hum a song that Link has learned and he’ll play it on his ocarina! The game will also respond to instruments like the new playable and electric ocarinas coming later this year.
- ZELDA NOTES:Additional features for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will be found within the ZELDA NOTES section of the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices. Highlights include:
- Today’s Record: View a chronological record of your daily accomplishments, see stats such as how many enemies you’ve defeated and more.
- Gossip Quest: Find a location in the game using a hint image on your smart device to earn points toward music scores for the ocarina in Play Ocarina.
- Play Ocarina: Use the touchscreen to freely play a virtual ocarina on your smart device. Play along with a guide, listen to it play automatically, or make your own music scores to share via QR code.
- Ocarina of Time Quiz: Test your knowledge of the game with a quiz containing questions, images and more, with over 2,000 questions in all! The quiz can be taken once a day, or you can spend rupees you’ve earned in the game for extra tries.
And now, here’s the official press release with a recap of all the announcements:
—
Series producer Eiji Aonuma showed the first gameplay of the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game for the Nintendo Switch 2 system and revealed that the title will launch on Nov. 5. Remade with completely overhauled visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, reworked camera and movement controls, and more, Link’s milestone 1998 adventure has been reborn for a whole new era. The first print run of the physical version will commemorate the release with special packaging that features textured foil cover art, available while supplies last.
A week earlier, on Oct. 29, fans can get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition system, plus anniversary editions of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, available with and without a display stand1, and Nintendo Switch 2 carrying case with screen protector, all featuring a Triforce design.
Also keep an eye out for two ocarinas later this year: a playable version for the musically inclined and an electric version from HORI that plays notes or entire songs at the press of a button. In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, play (or simply hum) one of Link’s learned ocarina melodies within range of the Nintendo Switch 2 system’s built-in microphone, and he’ll perform the song in the game! Also, new amiibo figures2 of Young Link and Young Zelda will launch in 2027 and can be used to unlock special in-game masks that evoke a retro graphical style. And for the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, the previously announced Mineru’s Construct amiibo releases Sept. 17.
There will also be several new features added to ZELDA NOTES, a game-specific service that players can use with the Nintendo Switch App3 for compatible smart devices. Currently, the service supports the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in various ways. Support for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will help players track their adventure, challenge them to find in-game locations using hint images, let them play a virtual ocarina, take a daily quiz with over 2,000 total questions and more.
The anniversary extends to special events and experiences, as well. The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series will be held across the globe next year and include a variety of music from the Legend of Zelda series, from nostalgic tunes to modern melodies. A Japan tour kicks off in Tokyo next January, a North American tour starts in Chicago next February, a European tour begins in London next April and an Australian tour starts in Melbourne next May. For locations, dates and other information, visit zelda.gameconcerts.com later today.
Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan will also join the fun in several ways, including a special Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary ticket design (from Sept. 9), new photo ops (from Nov. 5) and the fall 2026 opening of the Super Family Restaurant, where visitors can enjoy a meal surrounded by Link and other Nintendo characters. Museum anniversary activities will continue for one year.
Starting tomorrow, users of the Nintendo Today!3 smart device app can collect Legend of Zelda series digital cards each day. Also, the calendar animations in the Legend of Zelda theme will change to feature games throughout the series.
And be on the lookout for more anniversary initiatives and collaborations from Nintendo partners, offering fans of all ages new ways to celebrate and connect with the world of The Legend of Zelda. These include the LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Link & Epona set, a 1,750-piece collectible display model for adults, available starting spring 2027. Also on the way is the Hasbro Legend of Zelda Electronic Master Sword, 27 inches long with more than 15 touch- and motion-activated sounds, arriving in spring 2027.
Fans can also celebrate the anniversary by exploring the wide selection of Legend of Zelda games currently available for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, including the Nintendo Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Nintendo Switch players can enjoy the Nintendo Switch versions of those games, as well as titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and more. Nintendo Switch Online or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack4 members can experience the series’ rich history through the Nintendo Classics libraries and Nintendo Music, available as a smart device app3 or accessible via a web browser.
Finally, the series’ live-action movie will open in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027, from Nintendo, Arad Productions Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. Officially titled The Legend of Zelda, this original film is based on the stories, ideas and concepts of The Legend ofZelda that have built up through 40 years of games.
Whether your Legend of Zelda journey began with “It’s dangerous to go alone!” in 1986, “Hey! Listen!” in 1998, or “Open your eyes” in 2017, The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary has something in store for every fan who supported the series over the years, and for those whose adventure is just starting.
—
Finally, here’s some pictures:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Boxart
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time amiibo
And don’t forget: another Nintendo Direct will be livestreamed tomorrow (September 9th)! It will be a “general” Direct, focusing on Nintendo Switch 2 games coming this Winter.
Source: Nintendo PR (08/9/2026)
