The Legend of Zelda turns 40 with a special Nintendo Direct that went live on September 8, 2026. Here’s a look at everything announced during the event.
Everything Announced at The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct
Ocarina of Time Remake Receives Official November 5, 2026 Release Date and Gameplay Breakdown
Nintendo has confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026. The remake was previously announced for a 2026 release, but Nintendo has now provided a specific launch date alongside the first extended look at the remake’s gameplay.
The gameplay reveal showcased a major visual overhaul, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music, and redesigned locations like Hyrule Castle Town, Hyrule Field, and Deku Forest.
Notable gameplay changes include a reworked movement system that lets players run and jump freely, while the camera has been similarly revamped to provide full control through the Right Stick. The remake also introduces a continuous day-and-night cycle and the new Threads of Time feature, which helps players track story progress and objectives.
Nintendo also demonstrated new ways to interact with the Ocarina of Time itself. Players can hum learned ocarina melodies into the Nintendo Switch 2's built-in microphone, allowing Link to perform the corresponding songs in-game. These changes are joined by other modernized movement and quality-of-life improvements designed to make the classic adventure more accessible while retaining its original structure.
New Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Trailer Reveals Pre-orders and Limited Edition Physical Copy
Nintendo revealed a new trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to close out the Direct, showcasing its completely overhauled visuals, remodeled locations, smoother movement, and improved camera controls.
Apart from the new footage, the trailer also revealed that the game is now available to pre-order for $59.99.The trailer also concluded with the reveal of a limited-edition physical version featuring textured foil cover art, set to release alongside the digital game for the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.
The Legend of Zelda Movie Reveals Official Title and April 2027 Release Date
The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is set to hit theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027. Nintendo, Arad Productions Inc., and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. have been confirmed to be the minds behind the film, which will tell an original story drawing from the stories, ideas, and concepts developed across 40 years of The Legend of Zelda games.
As legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto noted during the film's release date reveal, its official title will simply be "The Legend of Zelda," with no subtitle attached. While the Direct did not explain the reasoning behind the unusually straightforward title, Miyamoto teased that the answer will be revealed at a later date.
The Legend of Zelda Concert Tour Set to Take Over Music Halls in 2027
In a segment led by legendary Nintendo composer Koji Kondo, following a spectacular live performance that kicked off the Direct, Nintendo announced a global The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series set to take place throughout 2027, celebrating four decades of music from the iconic action-adventure franchise.
The concerts will feature live orchestral performances spanning the history of The Legend of Zelda, with the tour currently planned to visit Japan, North America, Europe, and Australia.
Nintendo has confirmed that tickets for the concerts will go on sale later this month. The company also plans to announce additional cities and countries as the tour expands.
The concerts will feature a variety of music from across The Legend of Zelda series, ranging from nostalgic tunes to more modern melodies. More information on specific locations, dates, and tickets will be announced through the official concert website.
ZELDA NOTES Service Revealed to Accompany Ocarina of Time Remake; Promises New Quests and In-Game Currencies
Nintendo is adding new The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time features to ZELDA NOTES, the game-specific service available through the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices. The service will let players track their in-game adventures, find in-game locations using hint images, play a virtual ocarina, and test their knowledge with a daily quiz containing more than 2,000 questions.
The Ocarina of Time features include Today's Record, which tracks daily accomplishments and statistics; Gossip Quest, which uses hint images to help players locate places in Hyrule; Play Ocarina, which lets players create and share music scores; and the Ocarina of Time Quiz, which can be played once a day or retried using in-game rupees.
Nintendo Reveals New Switch 2 Swag for Zelda’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations
Nintendo has also unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2: The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition, a special-edition console celebrating four decades of The Legend of Zelda. The new system features a Triforce-inspired design across the console, Joy-Con 2 controllers, and dock, with black, teal, and gold accents harkening back to Hyrulean heraldry. It will launch on October 29, 2026, one week ahead of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time's November 5 release.
Alongside the console, Nintendo will release a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector, both featuring matching 40th Anniversary designs.
Ocarina of Time Remake amiibo Set to Rock Retro-style in 2027
Nintendo also announced new The Legend of Zelda amiibo as part of the series' 40th anniversary celebrations. Young Link and Young Zelda from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will launch in 2027, with both figures unlocking special in-game masks featuring a retro graphical style.
While both of the aforementioned amiibos are yet to receive official release dates in 2026, the previously announced Mineru's Construct amiibo for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is set to release on September 17, 2026.
Everything We Know About The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct
Went Live On September 8, 2026, at 7:00 A.M. PT / 10:00 A.M. ET
Nintendo celebrated four decades of The Legend of Zelda with a dedicated Direct on September 8, 2026, at 7:00 A.M. PT / 10:00 A.M. ET. The presentation ran for approximately 30 minutes, with Nintendo showcasing various information related to the series’ 40th anniversary.
Fans can watch the presentation through Nintendo’s official YouTube channels and the company’s Nintendo Direct website. It will take place one day before the September 9 Nintendo Direct, which will focus on upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 games.
Check the table below to see when the livestream starts in your region!
| Region | Local Release Time |
|---|---|
| United States (ET) | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 10:00 a.m. |
| United States (PT) | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 7:00 a.m. |
| United Kingdom | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Europe | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 4:00 p.m. |
| New Zealand | Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 3:00 a.m. |
| Australian East Coast | Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 12:00 a.m. |
| Australian West Coast | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 10:00 p.m. |
| Japan | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 11:00 p.m. |
| Philippines | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 10:00 p.m. |
| South Africa | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 4:00 p.m. |
| Brazil | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m. |
| Universal Time (UTC) | Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 2:00 p.m. |
