Gaming 16 sources · over 6 days Latest coverage 9 Sept 2026, 9:47 pm UTC

Nintendo Hosts Back-to-Back Directs for Zelda 40th Anniversary and New Reveals

Nintendo has scheduled two major Direct livestreams for September 2026, with the first dedicated to The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary and the second expected to showcase upcoming games and hardware.

By Claire Dubois · First published 8 Sept 2026

In brief

  1. Nintendo aired the first of two Directs on September 8, 2026, celebrating The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary with major announcements.
  2. Roughly 20 minutes of Ocarina of Time remake gameplay was shown, highlighting new visuals and design changes for Switch 2.
  3. The Ocarina of Time remake will release exclusively for Switch 2 on November 5, 2026, with preorders for the game and new Amiibo now open.
  4. A Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console launches October 19, 2026, for $520, alongside a $100 Pro Controller with preorders available.
  5. Nintendo also announced a global Zelda concert tour and a film as part of the 40th anniversary festivities.
Nintendo Hosts Back-to-Back Directs for Zelda 40th Anniversary and New Reveals
Source: Eurogamer

Timeline · 10 moments

10 moments Open the full timeline →

Nintendo announces two Directs for September 8 and 9

IGN ↗

Details surface on Zelda anniversary focus and broadcast times

Vice ↗

Guides on how to watch both Direct events released

IGN ↗

Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct airs with major announcements

IGN ↗

Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake revealed with November release date

Eurogamer ↗

Special Zelda-themed Switch 2 console announced for October release

https://www.engadget.com/ Tech ↗

Nintendo shows Ocarina of Time remake and opens preorders

IGN ↗

Special edition Switch 2 console and Pro Controller revealed

Tom's Hardware ↗

Global Zelda concert tour and film announced for anniversary

El Colombiano | noticias de Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia y el mundo. ↗

Ocarina of Time remake Amiibo preorders go live

IGN ↗

Update 9 Sept 2026, 9:47 pm UTC

Nintendo's September 8 Direct revealed 20 minutes of Ocarina of Time remake gameplay, confirmed the $520 Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console for October 19, and opened preorders for new Amiibo and a $100 Pro Controller. A global Zelda concert tour and a film were also announced as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations.

Update 8 Sept 2026, 7:31 pm UTC

Nintendo's Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 was shown in detail, revealing enhanced visuals and gameplay. Preorders for both the remake and the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console are now live.

How it started

In early September 2026, Nintendo announced plans for two major Direct livestreams to be held on consecutive days. This move caught the attention of fans and industry watchers, as Nintendo had never scheduled back-to-back Directs before. The first Direct was set to mark the 40th anniversary of the beloved Legend of Zelda franchise, a series with a long and influential history in gaming.

Anticipation quickly built around what surprises and announcements Nintendo might have in store, especially considering the significance of the Zelda milestone and ongoing rumors about new hardware.

How it unfolded

On September 4, 2026, Nintendo officially confirmed the two Direct events, specifying dates and times for each broadcast. The first would take place on September 8, centering entirely on The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary, while the second would follow on September 9 with broader Nintendo news.

As the dates approached, details began to leak about possible announcements, with speculation focusing on a remake of a classic Zelda title and the potential unveiling of new hardware. On September 8, during the highly anticipated Zelda anniversary Direct, Nintendo revealed gameplay footage for a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, confirming the game would launch for the Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.

The same event included the announcement of a special edition Switch 2 console, themed for Zelda's 40th anniversary, which is set to release on October 29, 2026. The new console and game quickly became the talk of the gaming world, with fans eager to secure preorders.

Meanwhile, attention turned to the upcoming September 9 Direct, where more news about Nintendo's future plans is expected.

Where it stands

The first of the two Nintendo Directs has aired, delivering major announcements for Zelda fans and Switch 2 enthusiasts alike. The Ocarina of Time remake and the special edition console are both confirmed, each with release dates set before the end of 2026.

Fans and industry analysts are now looking toward the September 9 Direct, expecting additional reveals about upcoming games and potentially more details about Nintendo's hardware roadmap.

What to watch

The next key event is the September 9 Nintendo Direct, where further announcements about games and hardware are anticipated. There is also high interest in preorder availability and additional features for the newly announced Switch 2 and Ocarina of Time remake.

Written from 16 outlets' coverage of this story. Every timeline entry links to the original report.

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