Nintendo Reveals Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Console

Nintendo has revealed a special-edition Nintendo Switch 2 celebrating The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary, giving fans a major piece of anniversary hardware just one week before the Ocarina of Time remake arrives. The console launches on October 29, while the remake is scheduled for November 5.

What Happened During the Nintendo Direct

The Zelda-themed Switch 2 was announced during Nintendo’s September 8 Direct, where the company also showed more of the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake and confirmed its November 5 release date. The hardware is designed as a full commemorative package rather than a standard console carrying a simple franchise logo. Its green, black, and gold color scheme extends across the Switch 2, dock, and Joy-Con controllers, giving the system a distinct Zelda identity.

Nintendo is also preparing matching accessories for October 29. These include a Switch 2 Pro Controller and a carrying case, allowing existing Switch 2 owners to join the celebration without purchasing another console. A Nintendo Store-exclusive bundle will combine the Pro Controller with a special-edition display stand.

Why It Matters for Zelda Fans

The timing connects Nintendo’s anniversary hardware to one of the franchise’s most important games. The Legend of Zelda debuted in February 1986 and reaches its 40th anniversary in 2026, making Ocarina of Time’s remake one of the company’s central projects for the milestone year.

The remake was first teased in June with a short trailer, following weeks of speculation. Nintendo has now paired that initial glimpse with gameplay footage and a firm launch date, increasing its importance among the year’s major Switch 2 releases. Fans can also preorder a special edition of the remake featuring textured foil cover art, although quantities are limited.

The celebration extends beyond hardware and software. Two new Zelda amiibo figures, depicting Young Link and Young Zelda, are planned for 2027. Each will unlock a mask featuring the character’s recognizable polygonal face from the Nintendo 64 version of Ocarina of Time. The figures themselves also provide collectibles, with Link reaching toward Navi and Zelda holding an ocarina.

What to Watch Next

The immediate dates to track are October 29 for the anniversary console and accessories, followed by November 5 for Ocarina of Time’s remake. Those releases place Nintendo’s most visible Zelda celebrations close together and give fans several purchase options, from the complete themed console to individual accessories and the limited physical edition.

The next longer-term point of interest is the amiibo launch in 2027. Nintendo has confirmed the figures and their cosmetic mask functions, but has not provided a more specific release date in the available announcement. For now, the central question is how the remake’s newly shown gameplay will translate into the full experience when it launches.

Key dates and products

  • October 29: Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 launches.
  • October 29: Matching Pro Controller, carrying case, and Store-exclusive display-stand bundle release.
  • November 5: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches.
  • Limited quantities: Special remake edition with textured foil cover art is available for preorder.
  • 2027: Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo are scheduled to release.

Zelda anniversary release schedule

Product Release timing Notable detail
40th Anniversary Switch 2 October 29, 2026 Green, black, and gold Zelda-inspired design
Ocarina of Time remake November 5, 2026 Gameplay shown during the September 8 Direct
Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo 2027 Unlock character-inspired masks

Expert View

Nintendo is treating the anniversary as a coordinated platform moment rather than a single game launch. The console, accessories, remake, physical edition, and amiibo give different types of Zelda fans a way into the celebration, while the October 29 release creates a clear spotlight for Ocarina of Time before its November debut. The strength of the campaign will ultimately depend on the remake, but the hardware reveal gives Nintendo a strong visual centerpiece for the franchise’s 40th year.