Nintendo marked four decades of The Legend of Zelda series with a dedicated 40th Anniversary Direct presentation, unveiling a wide range of new products and events set to roll out starting this year and continuing into 2027. Series producer Eiji Aonuma led the presentation with the first gameplay reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, confirming a launch date of November 5 for the remade version of the original 1998 title.
The Ocarina of Time remake arrives with a substantial list of upgrades, including completely overhauled visuals down to individual material textures, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, and reworked camera and movement controls that give players more freedom during exploration and combat. A companion feature called Threads of Time will let players track story progress and view their next objective at any point during the adventure, while a tapestry element gradually fills in as the journey continues. Nintendo also confirmed that fans will be able to hum or play ocarina melodies that Link has learned within range of the Switch 2’s built in microphone, prompting the character to perform the corresponding song in game, a feature supported by two new physical ocarina accessories arriving later this year, including a playable version and an electric model from HORI. A special Switch 2 hardware bundle themed around the anniversary, along with matching Pro Controller and carrying case accessories featuring a Triforce design, will arrive on October 29, a week ahead of the game’s release, alongside new amiibo figures of Young Link and Young Zelda planned for 2027.
Beyond the game itself, Nintendo detailed a broader slate of anniversary activities spanning music, physical retail spaces, and mobile app features. A Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series will tour internationally next year, with stops beginning in Tokyo in January, Chicago in February, London in April, and Melbourne in May, covering a mix of nostalgic and modern music from across the franchise’s history. The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto will join the celebration with a special anniversary ticket design starting September 9, new photo opportunities from November 5, and the fall 2026 opening of a themed restaurant experience. Nintendo also confirmed updates to the Zelda Notes companion service within the Nintendo Switch App, adding features specific to Ocarina of Time such as a daily quiz with more than 2,000 questions, a virtual ocarina players can use on their smart devices, and location based challenges tied to in-game hint images.
Perhaps the most significant announcement outside the gaming space was confirmation that the previously announced Legend of Zelda live action film, produced together with Arad Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment, will open in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027. Nintendo also confirmed a range of licensed merchandise tied to the anniversary, including a 1,750 piece LEGO set based on Ocarina of Time and an electronic replica Master Sword from Hasbro featuring touch and motion activated sound effects, both expected in spring 2027. Taken together, the announcements position the Zelda 40th Anniversary as one of Nintendo’s most extensive franchise celebrations to date, spanning gaming, music, film, physical retail experiences, and collectible merchandise across the next year and a half.
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