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Nintendo confirmed a broad slate of Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary content during a dedicated Direct presentation, with activity beginning this year and continuing into 2027. The lineup is anchored by a Nov. 5 launch for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2, alongside anniversary hardware, a global concert series, a live-action film, companion-app additions, museum programming and partner products.
The anniversary marks four decades of the series, and Nintendo has positioned the rollout around both new material and ways to revisit games already available across Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The presentation also outlined dates for the anniversary system and accessories, the first regional legs of the concert series, and the theatrical release of the franchise’s live-action film.
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Nintendo directed fans to zelda40th.nintendo.com for the complete presentation and further information on the 40th Anniversary activities. The program covered game updates, hardware, mobile-app features, Kyoto museum events, music performances and licensed products under the same anniversary banner.
The scope extends beyond a single game release. Nintendo announced a themed Nintendo Switch 2 system, accessories with a Triforce design, two physical ocarinas, new amiibo, additions to ZELDA NOTES, the Nintendo Museum’s anniversary activity, daily digital cards in Nintendo Today!, a concert series across the globe, LEGO and Hasbro products, and the official title and release date for the film.
For players interested in the games already available, Nintendo highlighted the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, as well as the Nintendo Switch version of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can also access the series through Nintendo Classics libraries and Nintendo Music, which is available through a smart-device app or web browser. Nintendo also noted that Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch include parental controls for adults managing the content children can access.
Editorial Highlight
The substantive centerpiece is the return of Ocarina of Time. Nintendo describes the 1998 adventure as remade with completely overhauled visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, reworked camera and movement controls, and more. That makes the Nov. 5 release more than a packaging refresh, while the new controls and progress-tracking features suggest Nintendo is revisiting how the original plays as well as how it looks.
The film and concert series give the celebration a broader reach. Nintendo has confirmed that the live-action movie is officially titled The Legend of Zelda and will open in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027. Meanwhile, The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series is planned across the globe in 2027, with announced starts in Tokyo, Chicago, London and Melbourne.
The surrounding hardware and merchandise are a familiar part of a major Nintendo anniversary, but they help establish the schedule around the game launch. The anniversary Switch 2 system arrives a week before Ocarina of Time, while the museum programming, app updates, amiibo and partner releases keep the anniversary active after November.
Per-Announcement Breakdown
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches Nov. 5 on Nintendo Switch 2. Series producer Eiji Aonuma showed gameplay during the presentation, and Nintendo says the visuals have been rebuilt down to the textures of each material. The game also includes refreshed sound, symphonic orchestral music, faster load times, smoother performance and more responsive actions.
Movement and camera controls have changed as well. Players can jump and run with newly added button commands, while the Right Stick provides improved camera control. Nintendo says players can freely move the camera in remodeled locations, and the day-and-night cycle now continues even in towns. Characters encountered by Link are fully voiced during expanded cutscenes and have additional dialogue.
A new Threads of Time feature lets players review story progress and their next objective. A large tapestry fills in as the adventure continues. Nintendo also demonstrated an ocarina feature using the Nintendo Switch 2 built-in microphone: players can hum a melody Link has learned, and Link will perform the song in the game. The game can also respond to instruments, including the playable and electric ocarinas Nintendo plans to release later this year. The first physical print run will use special packaging with textured foil cover art while supplies last.
Anniversary hardware and physical ocarinas arrive ahead of the game. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition launches Oct. 29, along with anniversary editions of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, available with and without a display stand, and a Nintendo Switch 2 carrying case with screen protector. All feature a Triforce design. Nintendo says the Pro Controller with Display Stand is available only at Nintendo NEW YORK, Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO and Nintendo Store. Two physical ocarinas are also due later this year: a playable version and an electric HORI model that plays notes or entire songs at the press of a button.
ZELDA NOTES and amiibo provide additional ways to engage with Ocarina of Time. Through the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices, ZELDA NOTES will add Today’s Record, which provides a chronological record of daily accomplishments and statistics; Gossip Quest, which uses hint images to help players find in-game locations; Play Ocarina, a touchscreen virtual instrument; and an Ocarina of Time Quiz with more than 2,000 questions. The quiz can be taken once a day, with additional tries available by spending rupees earned in the game.
New Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo figures will launch in 2027. Nintendo says they can unlock special in-game masks that evoke a retro graphical style. The previously announced Mineru’s Construct amiibo for Tears of the Kingdom releases Sept. 17.
The 40th Anniversary Concert series begins in 2027 and will include music from across the Legend of Zelda series, from nostalgic tunes to modern melodies. The Japan tour starts in Tokyo next January, followed by a North American tour beginning in Chicago next February. A European tour begins in London next April, and an Australian tour starts in Melbourne next May. Nintendo directed fans to zelda.gameconcerts.com for locations, dates and other information.
Nintendo Museum and Nintendo Today! tie-ins add a Kyoto and app-based component. The Nintendo Museum’s ticket design changes to a Zelda 40th Anniversary theme beginning Sept. 9. New photo opportunities arrive Nov. 5, and the Super Family Restaurant is scheduled to open in fall 2026, where visitors can eat surrounded by Link and other Nintendo characters. Nintendo says the museum’s anniversary activities will continue for one year.
Beginning Sept. 9, Nintendo Today! users can collect Legend of Zelda series digital cards each day. Nintendo says calendar animations in the Legend of Zelda theme will change to feature games from throughout the series.
Partner products and the live-action film round out the announcements. LEGO’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Link & Epona is a 1,750-piece collectible display model for adults, due in spring 2027. Hasbro’s Legend of Zelda Electronic Master Sword, also due in spring 2027, measures 27 inches and includes more than 15 touch- and motion-activated sounds.
Nintendo also confirmed that the live-action film is officially titled The Legend of Zelda. The original film, based on stories, ideas and concepts built through 40 years of games, will open worldwide on April 30, 2027, from Nintendo, Arad Productions Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.
What to watch: The near-term schedule starts with Mineru’s Construct amiibo on Sept. 17, followed by the anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and accessories on Oct. 29. Ocarina of Time follows on Nov. 5, the same date as the museum’s new photo opportunities, while the first physical game print run receives its textured foil packaging. In 2027, Nintendo’s announced calendar includes the Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo, concert activity across multiple regions, the LEGO and Hasbro products, and the April 30 theatrical opening of The Legend of Zelda.
