Nintendo is celebrating 40 years of The Legend of Zelda, and the company just revealed one of its biggest anniversary lineups yet.
During a special The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on September 8, Nintendo revealed new details for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, including its November 5, 2026 release date, the first gameplay from the Nintendo Switch 2 remake, special first-print physical packaging, new Zelda-themed hardware, accessories, amiibo, concerts, merchandise, and even more information about the upcoming live-action movie.
For collectors and physical game fans, there is also a good reason to get an order in early.
The first print run of the physical Nintendo Switch 2 version of Ocarina of Time will include special textured foil cover art, and Nintendo says that packaging will only be available while supplies last.
Ocarina of Time Returns November 5
Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time helped define what a 3D action-adventure game could be.
Now Nintendo is rebuilding Link’s adventure for an entirely new generation.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches November 5, 2026 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo describes the game as being built from the ground up for the system rather than simply presenting the Nintendo 64 version at a higher resolution.
Nintendo has completely overhauled the game’s visuals, including redesigned environments and updated material textures, while also introducing fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue and a newly recorded symphonic orchestral soundtrack.
Movement and camera controls have also been modernized.
Players can now freely control the camera using the Right Stick, while Link has new button commands allowing him to jump and run more freely. Nintendo says actions have been made faster and more responsive, load times have been reduced and overall performance has been improved.
For players experiencing Ocarina of Time for the first time, these changes should make the nearly three-decade-old adventure considerably more approachable without abandoning the world and story that made the original a landmark release.
And for those of us who already know exactly what Navi means when she says “Hey! Listen!”, it gives us a very different way to return to Hyrule.
The First Physical Copies Get Special Foil Packaging
Physical game collectors may want to pay particularly close attention to this release.
Nintendo confirmed that the first print run of the physical version will feature special textured foil cover art commemorating the release. The special packaging will only be produced while supplies last.
This does not appear to be a separately named Collector’s Edition. Instead, the special packaging is being used for the initial production run of the standard physical game.
That distinction matters for collectors.
Once that first shipment works its way through retail inventory, later printings may use the regular packaging instead.
The physical edition is priced at $69.99, while the digital Nintendo eShop release is $59.99.
If you want the physical copy, particularly the commemorative first-print packaging, pre-ordering is going to be the safest way to secure one.
Reserve Your Physical Copy Through Video Game Depot
Pre-orders for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are available through Video Game Depot while our available allocation lasts.
Ordering through us helps support an independent, family-owned game store while still reserving your copy of one of Nintendo’s biggest releases of the year.
Release Date: November 5, 2026
Platform: Nintendo Switch 2
Publisher: Nintendo
Physical MSRP: $69.99
ESRB: Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
First Print: Special textured foil cover art, while supplies last
Reserve Your Copy at Video Game Depot
Nintendo Is Adding New Ways to Explore Hyrule
The remake goes beyond visual and control improvements.
Nintendo revealed a new feature called Threads of Time, which allows players to review their progress through the story and check their next objective at any point during the adventure. A large tapestry gradually fills in as Link’s journey progresses.
Hyrule itself has been remodeled with additional details, and the game’s day-and-night cycle will now continue regardless of where Link travels, including towns.
Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in microphone is being put to use in a particularly fitting way. After Link learns one of his familiar melodies, players can hum the tune near the console and Link will perform the corresponding song in the game.
Nintendo also announced two physical ocarina accessories planned for later this year. One is a playable instrument, while HORI is producing an electronic version capable of playing individual notes or complete songs at the press of a button. Both can interact with the game’s new microphone feature.
Nintendo is also bringing Ocarina of Time support to ZELDA NOTES, its Zelda-focused service inside the Nintendo Switch App.
Among the new features is Today’s Record, which keeps a chronological record of accomplishments and statistics from your adventure, including the number of enemies defeated.
Gossip Quest will give players an image of an in-game location and challenge them to track it down. Completing these challenges earns points that can be used toward ocarina music scores.
The app will also feature a virtual ocarina that can be played through a smartphone touchscreen. Players can follow a guide, automatically play songs or even create their own music and share it through QR codes.
And if you think you know Ocarina of Time, Nintendo is ready to test that.
The new Ocarina of Time Quiz includes more than 2,000 questions, with a new opportunity to play each day. Players can also spend rupees earned in the game for additional attempts.
A Zelda 40th Anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 Is Coming
The game isn’t the only major Zelda release arriving this fall.
Nintendo is releasing a Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition on October 29, 2026, one week before Ocarina of Time.
The special system features a Triforce-inspired design, and Nintendo is releasing matching 40th Anniversary editions of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and Nintendo Switch 2 carrying case with screen protector.
A version of the anniversary Pro Controller with a display stand is also being produced, although Nintendo says that particular version will only be sold through Nintendo’s own stores in New York, San Francisco and the Nintendo Store.
Looking for the Zelda 40th Anniversary Hardware?
We will be adding Zelda 40th Anniversary products to the Video Game Depot webstore as availability and our allocations are confirmed.
Because special-edition Nintendo hardware can sell through quickly, we recommend reserving the products you want once pre-orders become available rather than relying on additional inventory at launch.
Shop / Pre-Order Zelda 40th Anniversary Products
Young Link and Young Zelda Are Getting New amiibo
Nintendo also revealed two new Ocarina of Time amiibo featuring Young Link and Young Zelda.
Both figures are scheduled to release in 2027 and can be used with the Nintendo Switch 2 remake to unlock special in-game masks inspired by the graphical style of the original Nintendo 64 game.
Exact release dates have not yet been announced.
Before then, Tears of the Kingdom collectors have another amiibo on the way. The previously announced Mineru’s Construct amiibo launches September 17, 2026.
Zelda’s 40th Anniversary Goes Well Beyond the Games
Nintendo has much more planned for Zelda’s anniversary celebration.
A worldwide The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert Series begins in 2027, featuring music from throughout the franchise’s history.
The tour begins in Tokyo in January, followed by a North American tour beginning in Chicago in February, a European tour beginning in London in April and an Australian tour beginning in Melbourne in May.
The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto is also joining the celebration with a special Zelda anniversary ticket design beginning September 9, new photo opportunities starting November 5 and additional anniversary activities continuing for a year.
Nintendo partners are getting involved as well.
Nintendo says more anniversary collaborations and initiatives are still to come.
The Legend of Zelda Movie Arrives in 2027
The celebration will ultimately extend beyond video games.
Nintendo confirmed that the upcoming live-action movie is officially titled simply The Legend of Zelda.
The film is being produced by Nintendo, Arad Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment and is scheduled to open in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027. Nintendo describes the movie as an original film based on the stories, ideas and concepts developed throughout the franchise’s 40-year history.
40 Years of The Legend of Zelda
The original The Legend of Zelda began its journey in Japan in 1986.
Forty years later, the series has taken players through multiple versions of Hyrule, crossed timelines, introduced generations of heroes and princesses, moved from 2D exploration into 3D worlds, and eventually helped redefine open-world adventure games with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Now one of the most important games in that history is getting another chance to introduce players to the Hero of Time.
Whether Ocarina of Time was one of your defining Nintendo 64 games or November 5 will be your first trip through Kokiri Forest, Nintendo’s 40th anniversary celebration is shaping up to offer something for nearly every generation of Zelda fan.
And we’ll be following the anniversary releases as they arrive.
Pre-Order The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches November 5, 2026 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
The initial physical print run includes Nintendo’s special textured foil packaging while supplies last, so collectors looking for that version should consider reserving a copy early.
Check back with Video Game Depot as additional Zelda 40th Anniversary games, hardware, accessories, amiibo and collectibles become available for pre-order.
Game On!
