The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct — Everything Announced by Nintendo
Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct focused on the Ocarina of Time remake, but also touched on the upcoming live-action Zelda movie. Here's everything announced.
Highlights included the first gameplay reveal for Ocarina of Time, as well as a release date. We also got confirmation of The Legend of Zelda Switch 2 Special Edition Console and Pro Controller, which look set to fly off the shelves.
There was disappointment, though, around the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie. While we did get confirmation of its title and a logo, there was no debut trailer, as fans had hoped. Given the movie itself is due out in April, hopefully it won't be long before we get a look at it.
In case you missed the Direct, all the announcements are below. And once you're done there, let us know what you think of Nintendo's Zelda reveals in the comments.
That's a wrap! So, what did you think?
The Zelda Direct is over, and now we know what to expect from the Ocarina of Time remake. It's clear now that this is a faithful remake that follows the original closely. Yes, there are some significant gameplay changes that will make it play more like a modern action adventure game, but all the characters, environments, and even puzzles are instantly familiar. The new visuals will, I'm sure, be the biggest talking point coming out of this Direct.
New The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake trailer
The Direct ended with the debut trailer for the remake, which began with Link riding Epona out on Hyrule Field. We then see Link running around various environments made famous from the original game, fighting various enemies, throwing bombs, and solving puzzles. We also hear fully voiced characters during cutscenes, including Ganon. The trailer ends with Young Link obtaining the Master Sword. November 5 isn't far away!
Meanwhile, Nintendo confirmed that 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.
Adventure through Hyrule and become the Hero of Time when The Legend of #Zelda: Ocarina of Time releases Nov 5 on Nintendo Switch 2. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/rW3r7o2L9r— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 8, 2026
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Adventure through Hyrule and become the Hero of Time when The Legend of #Zelda: Ocarina of Time releases Nov 5 on Nintendo Switch 2. #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/rW3r7o2L9r
Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda - 40th Anniversary Edition
Nintendo confirmed the Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda - 40th Anniversary Edition and the specially designed Pro Controller and carry case, launch on October 29. These are going to be hugely popular!
🙌 A Nintendo Switch 2 specially designed for The Legend of #Zelda 40th Anniversary is coming Oct 29!Plus, a special Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and carrying case are also releasing Oct 29. 👀 #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/ZKMniD8DEO— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 8, 2026
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🙌 A Nintendo Switch 2 specially designed for The Legend of #Zelda 40th Anniversary is coming Oct 29!Plus, a special Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and carrying case are also releasing Oct 29. 👀 #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/ZKMniD8DEO
Nintendo is also releasing two ocarinas later this year: a playable version and an electric version from HORI that plays notes or entire songs at the press of a button.
Ocarina of Time amiibo
Nintendo will release Young Link as well as Young Zelda amiibo, which unlock special in-game masks "that evoke a retro graphical style," in 2027.
Zelda Notes app
Several new features will be added to Zelda Notes, the accompanying app. Currently, the service supports the Nintendo Switch 2 Editions of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, but support for 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, and take a daily quiz with over 2,000 total questions.
LEGO The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Link & Epona set
Nintendo confirmed 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.
Ocarina of Time remake release date confirmed
Ocarina of Time remake launches exclusively on Switch 2 on November 5, 2026. Take that, GTA 6!
Ocarina of Time remake gameplay and details revealed
Eiji Anouma, producer of The Legend of Zelda series, talked about the Ocarina of Time and its upcoming remake. Anouma played the remake, showing off gameplay for the first time. The action began in Kokiri Forest, showing the new art style. Link meets up with Saria, his childhood friend. There's plenty of new dialogue so the characters' personalities "shine much more."
Link can now jump at the press of a button, even in places with gaps (you couldn't do this in the original Ocarina of Time, which would make Link automatically jump when you approached the edge of a platform). Link can swim now, too.
In the shop, Link can buy Deku Nuts, as in the original game. Delving deeper into the forest, Link comes up to the Great Deku Tree, the guardian spirit of Kokiri Forest (fans of Ocarina of Time will know what happens here). Inside we see familiar gameplay, including target-based combat. Link throws a Deku Nut to stun an enemy before hitting with the sword, just as he could do in the original.
Deeper in the dungeon, we see a treasure chest with the Fairy Slingshot inside. All the sounds and audio effects are as they were in the original game. You can swap between items with a single button in the remake, and you can aim quickly. Remember shooting the eye with the slingshot to drop the ladder? Yep, it's still here, in the remake. There's a loading screen when you move between areas, which Anouma said Nintendo intentionally kept to preserve the feel of the original. Not sure about that one, Nintendo...
Outside in Hyrule Field is the Threads of Time feature, which is brand new. This tells you your progress in the story and your current objective. It also includes a tapestry which you fill in as you go. Off Link goes to Hyrule Castle to see Princess Zelda. In the original, Link rolled around to move faster. Now, you can hold to roll and dash, which is recommended for traveling long distances. So, yes, Link can sprint!
Hyrule Castle Town is now in third-person (in the original the camera was fixed in a top-down perspective). You can chat with all the familiar characters and their dialogue looks pretty much the same. New details were added (some that were just in the background in the original game). In the original, time stopped when you were in a town, but in the remake it continues, so you'll see the sun going down.
The Ocarina is also used to change the time of day, but in the remake you can hum a song Link has learned into the Switch 2's built-in microphone and he'll play it in the game. Yes, you, the player, can hum audio, which is turned into the song in the game. Don't pretend like you've never hummed a Zelda tune before!
Anouma said the characters Link meets are fully voiced in in-game cutscenes, which is a big change. It doesn't sound like Link talks though.
Koji Kondo took to the stage to announce Zelda concerts
Koji Kondo appeared during the Direct to talk about the music of The Legend of Zelda. The composer described how the technology behind the series' music has evolved over the years. The opening arrangment we heard at the start of the Direct was made specifically for the 40th anniversary, and includes a medley of various songs.
Concerts to mark the 40th anniversary are on the way, starting in Japan in January before heading west later in the year.
The Legend of Zelda movie name confirmed
The title of the movie is, simply, The Legend of Zelda. It doesn't have a subtitle; Miyamoto said when you see it next year you'll understand why. It sounds like it'll tell an original story that reflects the entire series, rather than a particular video game story. "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," Miyamoto said, adding: "It's become an artistic work worthy of The Legend of Zelda series." The Triforce will play a role in the film, he teased. No trailer unfortunately, but we did get a logo.
It’s official! The live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, currently in production, will be titled The Legend of Zelda. The film is planned to be released in theatres worldwide on April 30, 2027. #TheLegendofZeldaMovie #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/z1sH9DXzkK— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 8, 2026
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It’s official! The live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, currently in production, will be titled The Legend of Zelda. The film is planned to be released in theatres worldwide on April 30, 2027. #TheLegendofZeldaMovie #NintendoDirect pic.twitter.com/z1sH9DXzkK
It's Miyamoto!
Developer legend Shugeru Miyamoto talked about the launch of The Legend of Zelda back in 1986, and how it evolved over time. He namechecked Breath of the Wild, which ventured into "open-air exploration." He ended his message by thanking fans for their support, and to set up a reveal of the live-action Zelda movie...
Here we go!
The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct has begun with a nostalgic look back at past Zelda games alongside a fresh recording of the series' wonderful music performed by an orchestra. 40 years of Zelda... All in the feels!
10 minutes to go!
We're only 10 minutes away from Nintendo's Zelda Direct. Hold tight, and stick with us for live reporting and reaction.
30 minutes to go!
This is your 30 minute warning! We're close to kick-off time for all things The Legend of Zelda, and excitement is certainly building. If I had a Master Sword at home, I'd hold it aloft! What are you hoping to see from Nintendo today?