Games

Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct: Ocarina of Time Remake, Switch 2 Edition and Merch

8 September 2026
Nintendo Switch 2
6 min.
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Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct: Ocarina of Time Remake, Switch 2 Edition and Merch

Summary:

Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, held recently on September 8, 2026, packed a lot for longtime fans and newcomers alike. The presentation confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been fully remade for the Nintendo Switch 2 and will launch on November 5, 2026. Alongside the game reveal Nintendo announced a special Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition and themed accessories arriving October 29, 2026, plus a range of merch, new amiibo, playable and electric ocarinas, and partner collectibles from LEGO and Hasbro. The ZELDA NOTES app receives expanded features for Ocarina of Time that connect smart devices to in-game content, while a global Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series, special offerings at the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, and an April 30, 2027 theatrical release for the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie give fans plenty of ways to celebrate. This summary highlights the key announcements, what they mean for players, and how to prepare for the release and special editions.

Highlights from the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct

The 30-minute presentation served up a tightly focused celebration of the series, centered on the Ocarina of Time remake and a wave of anniversary initiatives that span games, hardware, music, museums and merch. Nintendo emphasized updates that respect the original game while modernizing how players experience Hyrule on the Nintendo Switch 2. In addition to the full gameplay preview of Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2, the Direct revealed a special Switch 2 anniversary system and matching accessories, details about amiibo and playable ocarinas, expanded ZELDA NOTES app features, and worldwide concert dates. These announcements create a clear roadmap for the next several months of Zelda activity — from hardware launches and game releases in late October and early November to concerts that start in January 2027 and continue into spring. For fans who want everything Zelda in one place, NintendoReporters will track preorders, retailer windows, and regional availability as those details roll out.

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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake – release date and core enhancements

Nintendo confirmed that the remade Ocarina of Time will launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026, bringing Link’s N64-era adventure to modern hardware with a wide range of improvements. Visuals have been completely overhauled with new textures and remodeled areas, while performance gains mean faster load times and smoother frame pacing on the Switch 2. Gameplay has been tuned for contemporary controls: camera movement with the Right Stick, dedicated jump and run inputs, and more responsive movement overall. Cutscenes now include full voice acting and expanded dialogue, and the soundtrack has been re-recorded with symphonic arrangements to give classic themes a fresh, cinematic feel. The remake also introduces quality-of-life features such as Threads of Time to track story progress, and the day/night cycle now continues even when standing in towns, which changes how players experience Hyrule across the entire adventure.

Special Nintendo Switch 2 anniversary hardware and accessories

Nintendo announced the Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition, arriving October 29, 2026, a week before the game’s launch. This limited special design features Triforce motifs across the system, dock and Joy-Con 2 controllers, and will be joined by themed accessories including a Pro Controller with an optional display stand and a carrying case with a screen protector. The first wave of the physical game will also include textured foil cover art while supplies last. For readers who want hands-on info, check the dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 coverage on our site at Nintendo Switch 2. Availability and region-specific bundles differ, so keep an eye on official retailer pages and NintendoStore announcements for preorder windows and stock limits. These premium bundles aim to draw collectors while giving regular players clear upgrade paths to the new system.

Gameplay additions and new in-game interactions

The remake introduces several player-facing improvements designed to modernize the original design without losing its spirit. You can now freely control the camera with the Right Stick, giving exploration and combat a more intuitive feel. Button-driven jumping replaces automatic context-based jumps, which alters platforming and combat strategy. Audio is more interactive too: hum a learned song into the Switch 2 microphone and Link will play it in-game, and Nintendo will sell both a playable ocarina and an electric HORI ocarina that can input melodies or full songs for the built-in feature. The remake’s player interface adds Threads of Time, a tapestry-style progress tracker that summarizes story milestones and next objectives. These changes together create a balance between nostalgia and modern control standards so both returning players and newcomers can enjoy Hyrule with fewer frustrations.

ZELDA NOTES and smart device integration

ZELDA NOTES, the smart-device linked service available through the Nintendo Switch App, expands its support to include the Switch 2 edition of Ocarina of Time. New app features will let fans track their adventure with Today’s Record, which lists daily accomplishments and stats such as defeated enemies. The Gossip Quest feature challenges players to find locations shown as hint images on the smart device and rewards them with points that can be used to unlock music scores for the Play Ocarina feature. Play Ocarina itself becomes a touchscreen instrument on compatible devices, with options to follow along with a guide, auto-play, or create and share custom scores via QR codes. An Ocarina of Time quiz containing over 2,000 questions will be available as a daily challenge, and ZELDA NOTES will serve as a companion that adds collectible goals and trivia to the single-player experience.

Merch, amiibo and partner collectibles announced

The anniversary Direct revealed a broad slate of collectibles timed across late 2026 and into 2027. Among the highlights are amiibo of Young Link and Young Zelda slated for 2027, which unlock masks that emulate retro visual styles in the game. A Minoru’s Construct amiibo for Tears of the Kingdom releases September 17. Third-party partner items include a LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Link & Epona set aimed at adult collectors, arriving in spring 2027, and a Hasbro Electronic Master Sword replica with touch and motion-activated sounds also due spring 2027. Nintendo also teased two ocarinas: a playable version for musicians and a HORI electric model that can input tunes directly. Collectors and players will want to budget for multiple launch dates and check regional availability since some items will be limited or exclusive to specific stores.

Concerts, Nintendo Museum events, and the live-action film update

Announced as part of the anniversary celebration is The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series, which begins January 23, 2027 in Tokyo and moves to North America, Europe and Australia with early dates including Chicago on February 22, London on April 3, and Melbourne on May 13. The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto will feature limited ticket designs, new photo ops starting November 5, and the fall 2026 opening of the Super Family Restaurant. These museum activities are planned to continue for a year. Nintendo also confirmed the live-action film title The Legend of Zelda and a worldwide theatrical opening on April 30, 2027. These events broaden how fans can celebrate beyond gameplay and give the anniversary a cultural footprint through music, dining and cinema.

What this means for fans and how to prepare

For fans the announcements mean several concrete actions: decide whether to upgrade to Nintendo Switch 2 to enjoy the remake at its best, pre-order special editions or physical copies with textured foil art, and watch for region-specific preorder windows. Keep an eye on Nintendo Store listings and official retailer pages for the October 29 and November 5 release windows. If you want the full package of hardware and accessories, act quickly when preorders open because anniversary editions and first-run physical packaging are often limited. Also consider ZELDA NOTES: it will enhance your playthrough with daily goals and shared music scores. NintendoReporters will publish preorder trackers and availability updates to help readers secure systems, games and collectibles without missing regional exclusives. Finally, if you want to experience the anniversary beyond your living room, watch concert ticket sales and plan travel around announced tour cities.

Conclusion

Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct gave fans a full schedule of reasons to celebrate: a remade Ocarina of Time launching November 5, an anniversary Switch 2 system hitting retailers on October 29, expanded ZELDA NOTES features, new merch and amiibo, a global concert series, museum activations and a theatrical film release in April 2027. These announcements show Nintendo balancing nostalgia with modern polish while giving fans multiple ways to engage with the series. NintendoReporters will keep following official updates and preorder windows so readers can plan which editions and events fit their collection and schedules.

FAQs
  • When does the Ocarina of Time remake release?
    • The remade The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.
  • When is the Zelda Switch 2 anniversary edition available?
    • The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition and themed accessories release on October 29, 2026; region-specific details apply.
  • Will the remake work on Nintendo Switch (original)?
    • The remake is confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2; existing Nintendo Switch systems are not listed as targets for this specific remade edition.
  • What new features does ZELDA NOTES add for Ocarina of Time?
    • ZELDA NOTES supports Today’s Record, Gossip Quest, Play Ocarina with touchscreen input, an Ocarina quiz with over 2,000 questions, and progress-tracking features tied to your adventure.
  • Where can I find more updates and preorder info?
    • Watch Nintendo Store and official retailer pages for preorder windows, and follow NintendoReporters’ Nintendo Switch 2 coverage at our Switch 2 hub for trackers and availability notes.
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