Zelda 40th Anniversary: Every Way to Celebrate in 2026 and 2027
Nintendo is marking The Legend of Zelda‘s 40th anniversary with the Ocarina of Time remake (Nov 5, 2026, Switch 2), a Zelda-themed Switch 2 console and accessories (Oct 29), a live-action movie (April 30, 2027), a worldwide concert tour, Nintendo Museum events and new merchandise. The original game launched in Japan on Feb 21, 1986, and Nintendo says the celebration officially began Sept 4, 2026.
This list covers only what Nintendo or reliable outlets have announced as of October 2026. Where something has no date or price, I say so. Rumors are left out.
The Scroll in Brief
- Play: Ocarina of Time remake, Nov 5, Switch 2 only.
- Own: Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console, Pro Controller and carrying case, Oct 29. Ocarinas follow later in 2026, amiibo in 2027.
- Watch and hear: live-action film April 30, 2027; Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert tour from January 2027.
- Visit: Nintendo Museum in Kyoto has a Zelda ticket design, a history board, a Master Sword photo spot (Nov 5) and a new restaurant.
- Build and collect: LEGO Link and Epona (1,750 pieces, spring 2027) and a Hasbro Electronic Master Sword (spring 2027).
The anniversary at a glance
| Date | What | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 4, 2026 | Celebration kicks off | Announced through the Nintendo Today! app |
| Sept 8, 2026 | Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct | Remake date, hardware and merch revealed |
| Sept 9, 2026 | Nintendo Museum ticket design; Nintendo Today! digital cards begin | Ticket design runs about a year |
| Sept 17, 2026 | Mineru’s Construct amiibo | Scheduled date for the Tears of the Kingdom amiibo |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console, Pro Controller, case | Triforce designs |
| Nov 5, 2026 | Ocarina of Time remake; Museum Official Book Vol. 2; Master Sword photo spot | Switch 2 only |
| Later in 2026 | Playable ocarina; HORI electric ocarina | No dates or prices announced |
| Jan to May 2027 | Concert tour | Tokyo, Chicago, London, Melbourne and more |
| 2027 | Young Link and Young Zelda amiibo | No date given |
| Spring 2027 | LEGO Link and Epona; Hasbro Electronic Master Sword | See merch below |
| April 30, 2027 | Live-action The Legend of Zelda film | Worldwide in theaters |
Games
Ocarina of Time remake
The one new Zelda release in the sources is the remake, on Nov 5, 2026, for Switch 2 only. Nintendo describes overhauled visuals, jump and run buttons, expanded voiced cutscenes, a continuous day/night cycle, a Threads of Time progress tracker and hum-to-play ocarina songs. The US list prices are $59.99 digital and $69.99 physical per retail coverage, and the first physical print run has textured foil cover art.
Zelda Notes app
Nintendo says the Nintendo Switch app’s Zelda Notes already supports the Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and it adds Ocarina of Time features: Today’s Record, Gossip Quest, a touch-screen virtual ocarina and a quiz with over 2,000 questions.
Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo’s release notes that Switch Online members can use the Nintendo Classics libraries and the Nintendo Music app or website. It did not list specific Zelda additions, so check the apps for current Zelda games and soundtracks.
I found no other new Zelda game in the sources I read. Pre-Direct articles speculated about ports such as Wind Waker HD, but Nintendo has not announced them.
Hardware and accessories
On Oct 29 Nintendo releases three Triforce-design items: the Switch 2 console, a Pro Controller (with or without a display stand), and a carrying case with screen protector. The Pro Controller with the display stand is sold only at Nintendo NEW YORK, Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO and the Nintendo Store. The console does not include the Ocarina of Time game.
Nintendo’s release did not list prices, so I am not quoting any here. Retail coverage from Sept 8 mentioned limited stock on some items, so act early if you want them.
Music and ocarinas
The 40th Anniversary Concert tour
- Japan: Tokyo (Jan 23, 2027), Fukuoka (Feb 6), Sapporo (Mar 3), Kyoto (Apr 3 and 4), Yokohama (Apr 27).
- North America: starts Feb 22 in Chicago.
- Europe: starts April 3 in London.
- Australia: May 13 in Melbourne.
Attractions Magazine says more cities will be announced and that ticket sales start later in September, with dates varying by venue. Nintendo points to zelda.gameconcerts.com for details.
Playable ocarinas
Two ocarinas are planned for later in 2026: one that plays like a traditional instrument, and an electric ocarina from HORI that plays single notes or whole songs at the press of a button. The remake responds to them. Prices and dates are not announced.
Places and events
The Nintendo Museum in Uji, Kyoto, has several Zelda additions. A Zelda 40th Anniversary play ticket design has been available since Sept 9 for about a year, and a Zelda 40th Anniversary History Board is on display for a limited time. A Master Sword photo spot opens Nov 5.
The museum’s Official Book Vol. 2 goes on sale Nov 5 for 1,980 yen (tax included), in Japanese or English, one copy per customer, with cashless payment only. A new Super Family Restaurant opens in fall 2026 for museum ticket holders. No opening date or menu was announced as of the sources I read.
On the digital side, the Nintendo Today! app has collectible Zelda cards starting Sept 9, with Zelda calendar animations rotating through the games. That needs a Nintendo Account and a compatible device.
Merch and collectibles
- amiibo: Mineru’s Construct was scheduled for Sept 17, 2026. Young Link and Young Zelda follow in 2027 and unlock retro-style masks in the remake. No dates or prices for those two.
- LEGO Ocarina of Time Link and Epona: 1,750 pieces, an adult display model, spring 2027. Price not announced.
- Hasbro Electronic Master Sword: 27 inches, over 15 touch and motion sounds, spring 2027. Price not announced in the sources I read.
- Hasbro Heroes of Hyrule figures: Attractions Magazine reports Link and Zelda 6-inch figures at $27.99 each and a 7.5-inch Ganondorf at $42.99, for pre-order now and shipping spring 2027.
Movie
The Legend of Zelda opens in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027. Nintendo says it is produced by Nintendo, Arad Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment. I did not find cast, plot or runtime details in the sources I read.
Ned’s Pick of the Celebration
If I had to choose by how much it will matter, the remake is the centerpiece and the movie is the biggest swing. I have not played or seen either, so this is a read on scope, not quality.
- Budget-friendly: collect the Nintendo Today! cards and watch for the museum details if you plan a Japan trip.
- Gamer: the remake, then the Pro Controller or case if you want the matching gear.
- Music fan: check whether the concert tour reaches your city, since ticket sales are staggered.
- Collector: the 2027 items (LEGO, amiibo, Hasbro) are far away, so ignore resale hype until prices and dates are real.
Nintendo says the anniversary activities at the museum run for one year, so more announcements are likely. I will update this guide as they appear.
Keep digging: our Ocarina of Time remake pre-order guide, Ocarina of Time remake vs N64 and 3DS and our Zelda games in order list.
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Sources
- Nintendo press release (Business Wire): Zelda 40th Anniversary
- Nintendo Museum: Zelda additions (Sept 8, 2026)
- Attractions Magazine: Concert tour, restaurant, LEGO and Hasbro
- Game Informer: Two Nintendo Directs next week (Sept 4)
- The Spike: Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary 2026
- Zelda Universe: Ocarina of Time remake pre-orders
- The Kick Stand: Zelda 40th Anniversary products and events
- Best Buy Canada: Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct highlights
