The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Celebration
Family Friendly Gaming News
REDMOND, Wash.--(September 8, in the year of our Lord
2026)-- In today’s Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary
Direct presentation, Nintendo marked four decades of Hyrule
heroics with a treasure trove of announcements for new products
and events starting this year and continuing into 2027.
Series producer Eiji Aonuma showed the first gameplay of the
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time game for the Nintendo Switch 2
system and revealed that the title will launch on Nov. 5. Remade
with completely overhauled visuals, fully voiced cutscenes,
expanded character dialogue, symphonic orchestral music,
reworked camera and movement controls, and more, Link’s
milestone 1998 adventure has been reborn for a whole new era.
The first print run of the physical version will commemorate the
release with special packaging that features textured foil cover
art, available while supplies last.
A week earlier, on Oct. 29, fans can get their hands on the
Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary
Edition system, plus anniversary editions of the Nintendo Switch
2 Pro Controller, available with and without a display stand1,
and Nintendo Switch 2 carrying case with screen protector, all
featuring a Triforce design.
Also keep an eye out for two ocarinas later this year: a
playable version for the musically inclined and an electric
version from HORI that plays notes or entire songs at the press
of a button. In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, play (or
simply hum) one of Link’s learned ocarina melodies within range
of the Nintendo Switch 2 system’s built-in microphone, and he’ll
perform the song in the game! Also, new amiibo figures2 of Young
Link and Young Zelda will launch in 2027 and can be used to
unlock special in-game masks that evoke a retro graphical style.
And for the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom game, the
previously announced Mineru’s Construct amiibo releases Sept.
17.
There will also be several new features added to ZELDA NOTES, a
game-specific service that players can use with the Nintendo
Switch App3 for compatible smart devices. Currently, the service
supports the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of The Legend of Zelda:
Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
in various ways. Support for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of
Time will help players track their adventure, challenge them to
find in-game locations using hint images, let them play a
virtual ocarina, take a daily quiz with over 2,000 total
questions and more.
The anniversary extends to special events and experiences, as
well. The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Concert series will
be held across the globe next year and include a variety of
music from the Legend of Zelda series, from nostalgic tunes to
modern melodies. A Japan tour kicks off in Tokyo next January, a
North American tour starts in Chicago next February, a European
tour begins in London next April and an Australian tour starts
in Melbourne next May.
Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan will also join the fun in
several ways, including a special Legend of Zelda 40th
Anniversary ticket design (from Sept. 9), new photo ops (from
Nov. 5) and the fall 2026 opening of the Super Family
Restaurant, where visitors can enjoy a meal surrounded by Link
and other Nintendo characters. Museum anniversary activities
will continue for one year.
Starting tomorrow, users of the Nintendo Today!3 smart device
app can collect Legend of Zelda series digital cards each day.
Also, the calendar animations in the Legend of Zelda theme will
change to feature games throughout the series.
And be on the lookout for more anniversary initiatives and
collaborations from Nintendo partners, offering fans of all ages
new ways to celebrate and connect with the world of The Legend
of Zelda. These include the LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of
Time – Link & Epona set, a 1,750-piece collectible display model
for adults, available starting spring 2027. Also on the way is
the Hasbro Legend of Zelda Electronic Master Sword, 27 inches
long with more than 15 touch- and motion-activated sounds,
arriving in spring 2027.
Fans can also celebrate the anniversary by exploring the wide
selection of Legend of Zelda games currently available for
Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, including the Nintendo
Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Nintendo Switch
players can enjoy the Nintendo Switch versions of those games,
as well as titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
and more. Nintendo Switch Online or Nintendo Switch Online +
Expansion Pack4 members can experience the series’ rich history
through the Nintendo Classics libraries and Nintendo Music,
available as a smart device app3 or accessible via a web
browser.
Finally, the series’ live-action movie will open in theaters
worldwide on April 30, 2027, from Nintendo, Arad Productions
Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. Officially titled The
Legend of Zelda, this original film is based on the stories,
ideas and concepts of The Legend of Zelda that have built up
through 40 years of games.
Whether your Legend of Zelda journey began with “It’s dangerous
to go alone!” in 1986, “Hey! Listen!” in 1998, or “Open your
eyes” in 2017, The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary has
something in store for every fan who supported the series over
the years, and for those whose adventure is just starting.
Here are more details about new features and enhancements coming
to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. For additional
information or to pre-order, please visit Nintendo Store or
Nintendo eShop.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: Coming Nov. 5, the classic
adventure is reborn on Nintendo Switch 2 with various
enhancements. Details shared in the presentation include:
Improved performance and presentation: Visuals have been
completely overhauled down to the textures of each material,
actions feel snappier and more satisfying, load times are
faster, the game runs much smoother, sounds have been refreshed
and the game includes symphonic orchestral music.
Greater movement and control: Jump and run freely with newly
added button commands and enjoy improved camera control with the
Right Stick.
A more immersive Hyrule: Characters that Link meets are fully
voiced during expanded cutscenes and have a great deal more to
say. Freely move the camera in fully remodeled locations for a
more dynamic experience with various new details. The day/night
cycle now continues no matter where you are, even in towns.
Threads of Time: At any point during the adventure, see the
progress you’ve made in the story and check your next objective.
A large tapestry will also gradually fill in as your journey
continues.
Play ocarina tunes: Hum a song that Link has learned and he’ll
play it on his ocarina! The game will also respond to
instruments like the new playable and electric ocarinas coming
later this year.
ZELDA NOTES: Additional features for The Legend of Zelda:
Ocarina of Time will be found within the ZELDA NOTES section of
the Nintendo Switch App for compatible smart devices. Highlights
include:
Today’s Record: View a chronological record of your daily
accomplishments, see stats such as how many enemies you’ve
defeated and more.
Gossip Quest: Find a location in the game using a hint image on
your smart device to earn points toward music scores for the
ocarina in Play Ocarina.
Play Ocarina: Use the touchscreen to freely play a virtual
ocarina on your smart device. Play along with a guide, listen to
it play automatically, or make your own music scores to share
via QR code.
Ocarina of Time Quiz: Test your knowledge of the game with a
quiz containing questions, images and more, with over 2,000
questions in all! The quiz can be taken once a day, or you can
spend rupees you’ve earned in the game for extra tries.
1 The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller with Display Stand is
only available at Nintendo NEW YORK, Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO and
Nintendo Store.
2 amiibo sold separately. Visit amiibo.com for details on amiibo
functionality.
3 Nintendo Account, persistent internet and compatible smart
device required. Data charges may apply.
4 Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and
Nintendo Account required for online features. Membership
auto-renews after initial term at the then-current price unless
canceled. Not available in all countries. Internet access
required for online features. Terms apply.
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