Zelda 40th Anniversary — Everything Nintendo Announced
The Legend of Zelda turned 40 on February 21, 2026 — forty years since the original Famicom Disk System release. Nintendo's anniversary Direct laid out a celebration running through 2027: a full Ocarina of Time remake, a limited Switch 2, a live-action movie, a world concert tour and a mountain of merch.
The short version: the Ocarina of Time remake is already out on Switch 2 (Nov 5), the 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console launched Oct 29, the live-action movie arrives April 30, 2027, and a world orchestra tour kicks off in Tokyo in January 2027. Nintendo's financial briefing promises "a variety of initiatives" through next year — games, film, music and merchandise.
The releases so far
| What | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Museum — Zelda ticket designs & exhibit | Sep 9, 2026 | Open (photo-op section added Nov 2026) |
| 40th Anniversary Switch 2 + Pro Controller + case | Oct 29, 2026 | Released — US sold out, restocks in waves |
| Ocarina of Time remake (Switch 2) | Nov 5, 2026 | Out now — first print has foil cover art |
| Playable & electric ocarinas | Late 2026 | Nintendo Store + HORI versions, TBD |
| 40th Anniversary concert tour | Jan 23, 2027 – May 2027 | Tickets on sale since Sept 2026 |
| The Legend of Zelda (live-action film) | Apr 30, 2027 | Title confirmed, no subtitle |
| Heroes of Hyrule figure collection | May 1, 2027 | Link, Ganondorf, Zelda |
| Young Link & Young Zelda amiibo | 2027 | Unlock N64-style masks in the remake |
Also announced with no date yet: a Lego Link & Epona Ocarina of Time set and an Electronic Master Sword replica from Hasbro. Movie updates and calendar animations run through the Nintendo Today! app, and the hub is zelda40th.nintendo.com.
Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 — the centerpiece
Launched November 5, 2026. Not a port — a rebuild of the 1998 landmark.
- 1Completely overhauled presentation
New visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue and symphonic orchestral music — the biggest audio-visual rework the game has ever had.
- 2Modern controls
Reworked camera and movement — including real jumping — plus classic Zelda combat shown off in the Great Deku Tree dungeon.
- 3Play the ocarina for real
Hum or play one of Link's melodies within range of the Switch 2's built-in microphone and he performs it in-game — the gimmick of the generation.
- 4Collector details
First print physical copies get textured foil cover art while supplies last; the 2027 amiibo pair unlocks N64-style Link and Zelda masks in-game; Zelda Notes works through the Nintendo Switch app.
The concert tour
A live orchestra performing series music, starting in Japan and going worldwide.
| Leg | Starts |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | January 23, 2027 |
| North America | February 22, 2027 |
| Europe | April 3, 2027 |
| Australia | May 13, 2027 |
The movie
Nintendo confirmed the live-action film is simply called The Legend of Zelda — Miyamoto says the lack of subtitle makes sense once you see it.
Release
April 30, 2027 — the closing beat of the anniversary year.
Updates
New details drop through the Nintendo Today! app rather than traditional press.
FAQ
When exactly is the Zelda 40th anniversary?
The original Legend of Zelda released February 21, 1986 in Japan — the 40th anniversary year runs through 2026 and into 2027, when the movie and concert tour close it out.
Is the Ocarina of Time remake included with the anniversary Switch 2?
No — the console bundle contains hardware only (system, dock, Joy-Con 2, cables). The game is a separate purchase, released November 5, 2026.
Will there be a new mainline Zelda game?
Nothing announced — the Direct focused on the Ocarina of Time remake and anniversary products. Nintendo's briefing mentions games plural among the initiatives, but no new mainline title has been dated.
Where do concert tickets go on sale?
Ticket sales opened September 2026 through the official anniversary hub — Tokyo starts January 23, 2027, with the other legs following through May.