It’s hard to believe that The Legend of Zelda is now 40 years old.
Nintendo celebrated four decades of exploring Hyrule with a special The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on 8th September. This 30 minute presentation packed in announcements covering hardware, concerts, amiibo and of course the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake.
Unsurprisingly, the star of the show was the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but Nintendo has considerably more planned for Zelda’s anniversary than simply returning to the Nintendo 64 classic.
Ocarina of Time Returns This November
We finally got an extended look at The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time running on Nintendo Switch 2, with series producer Eiji Aonuma demonstrating the remake during the presentation. The date that players can return to Hyrule was also confirmed to be 5th November 2026, with the title being a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.
However his remake it much more ambitious than simply giving the original Nintendo 64 title a simple HD makeover.
The game features completely rebuilt visuals, faster loading, smoother performance, refreshed sound and a newly recorded symphonic soundtrack. Nintendo even took a moment to discuss the new camera control now that you’re no longer limited by the Nintendo 64’s single analogue stick, as well as Link’s ability to jump on command. How modern.
Characters other than Link are now fully voiced during cinematics, while Nintendo has expanded some of the dialogue.
There’s even an amusingly elaborate new way of playing the Ocarina. Players can hum one of Link’s melodies into the Switch 2’s microphone, and Link will play the corresponding song in the game. Nintendo is also releasing both a conventional playable ocarina and an electronic HORI version later this year.
It’s the sort of wonderfully unnecessary accessory that I suspect will immediately end up on quite a few Zelda collectors’ shelves. Even if they are unable to hold a tune on the thing.
You can also read out Ocarina of Time remake coverage if new hardware isn’t your thing.
A Zelda-Themed Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo is also giving Switch 2 the Zelda treatment.
The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition launches on a week before the game on 29th October 2026. The limited-edition hardware features Zelda and Triforce detailing across the console and dock, but unfortunately does not include a copy of the game.
Nintendo will accompany it with a matching 40th Anniversary Pro Controller and display stand, alongside a special carrying case and screen protector. Given how popular previous Zelda-themed Nintendo hardware has become with collectors, I can’t imagine Nintendo will have much trouble shifting these.
New Ocarina of Time Amiibo
Nintendo also revealed new Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo, although we’ll have to wait until sometime next year to get your hands on them. Scanning the figures while playing Ocarina of Time will unlock special masks that give Link a retro-inspired appearance.
Zelda Goes on Tour
The music of Zelda has become almost as recognisable as the games themselves, so an anniversary concert tour feels particularly appropriate.
The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert begins in Japan in January 2027 before travelling internationally.
For those of us in the UK, the important bit is that the European tour begins in London in April 2027. North American concerts begin in Chicago in February, while the Australian tour starts in Melbourne in May.
The concerts will feature music spanning the entire series, from its earliest adventures through to its modern releases.
LEGO Zelda Returns
Nintendo’s partnership with LEGO is also expanding, with a new Link & Epona set arriving in spring 2027.
The 1,750-piece display model is aimed at adult collectors and recreates Link riding Epona – presumably ensuring Zelda fans still have something left to spend their money on after buying the limited-edition Switch 2, controller, amiibo and concert tickets.
Forty Years of The Legend of Zelda
The original The Legend of Zelda launched for Nintendo’s Famicom Disk System in Japan in 1986.
Four decades later, the series has survived virtually every major change the games industry has undergone. Making the transition from 2D to 3D with Ocarina of Time, experimented with art styles and structure throughout the GameCube and Wii generations, and then effectively reinvented itself again with Breath of the Wild.
Perhaps that’s why celebrating the anniversary by remaking Ocarina of Time feels particularly fitting. The original game represented one of Zelda’s biggest evolutionary leaps. Now, 28 years later, Nintendo is rebuilding it for another generation.
And with new hardware, concerts, toys, LEGO sets, amiibo and a Hollywood movie all arriving alongside it, Nintendo certainly isn’t treating Zelda’s 40th birthday quietly. Although for fans of the series it could be quite an expensive celebration.
Further Reading:
Watch the Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Direct on Nintendo UK
Official Zelda 40th Anniversary website
