Nintendo’s Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct Will Include Ocarina of Time Remake and More

Nintendo confirmed ahead of time that its Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct would feature the Ocarina of Time remake alongside “initiatives beyond games”. The 30-minute presentation aired on September 8, 2026, and it delivered on both promises, with a release date for the remake and a list of products, events and media tied to the anniversary.

Ocarina of Time remake: date and platform

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was first teased in a Nintendo Direct on June 9, 2026. The anniversary Direct confirmed it launches on November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, developed by Nintendo EPD. Producer Eiji Aonuma presented extended gameplay.

This is a full remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 game, not a port. Changes include a stylised realistic art direction, full voice acting in cutscenes, an expanded, fully explorable Hyrule Castle Town, a dash ability, faster swimming, a manual jump button, full camera control, gyro aiming, microphone support for humming ocarina songs, and a quest log called Threads of Time. Time also now passes continuously in every area, including towns.

The initiatives beyond games

The non-game announcements covered hardware, merchandise, film and live events. A Zelda 40th anniversary special edition Switch 2 console and Pro Controller arrive on October 29, 2026. New amiibo of Young Link and Young Zelda follow in 2027 and unlock N64-style masks in the remake. Real ocarinas, including an electric model by Hori, and a new Lego set featuring adult Link and Epona were also shown.

The live-action film, titled simply The Legend of Zelda, is dated for April 30, 2027. A live orchestral tour begins in Japan in January 2027 with further dates in the US, UK and Australia, and the Nintendo Museum is adding Zelda-themed tickets and a Master Sword photo spot from November 5, 2026. A newly composed 40th anniversary orchestral theme rounded out the show.

Why a remake now

Ocarina of Time has been one of the most requested Nintendo remakes for years. Nintendo has shown with Link’s Awakening on Switch that it will rebuild a classic for a new audience, and a 40th anniversary is the natural moment to do the same for the game many fans consider the series’ high point. Launching it as a Switch 2 exclusive also gives the console a major first-party release for the holiday season.

Why it matters

For players, the key dates are November 5 for the remake and October 29 for the special edition hardware. If you plan to buy both, the console arrives first. Because the remake is Switch 2 only, original Switch owners will need to upgrade to play it.

For players in the Gulf and wider Middle East, regional availability and pricing for the special edition console and merchandise had not been confirmed at the time of writing, so check local Nintendo retailers before planning a purchase around the launch.