Nintendo turned The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary into a full celebration of the franchise’s past and future, using a dedicated Nintendo Direct to unveil games, entertainment projects and several anniversary initiatives. The roughly 30-minute showcase opened with a symphonic tribute spanning the series’ long history before Shigeru Miyamoto reflected on Zelda’s legacy. One of the biggest non-gaming updates concerned the upcoming live action The Legend of Zelda movie, now scheduled to reach theaters on April 30, 2027. Rather than adapting one specific title, the film will reportedly tell a new story influenced by ideas and settings drawn from across four decades of Zelda games. Nintendo did not show a trailer, but it did reveal additional celebrations including a franchise timeline installation at the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, a themed restaurant, an official LEGO set, a Panini collection and a Zelda anniversary concert tour. European performances will begin in London on April 3, 2027.

The main attraction was unquestionably the first substantial look at the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Producer Eiji Aonuma introduced an extended gameplay presentation showing how Nintendo is rebuilding the 1998 classic with contemporary technology while retaining its original structure and identity. Familiar locations such as Kokiri Forest, Hyrule Field, Lon Lon Ranch and Hyrule Castle Town have been dramatically reworked with denser scenery, enhanced lighting and more elaborate environmental effects. Nintendo has opted for a noticeably more realistic visual direction, a choice that may prove divisive among longtime fans but gives the world a very different sense of scale. Mechanical changes are also part of the package. Link can jump on command rather than relying exclusively on contextual jumps, sprinting makes traversal across large areas faster, and a new Thread of Time interface acts as both a story tracker and quest journal. The traditional ocarina mechanics, however, appear largely intact.

The Switch 2 hardware will also be used for several optional features. Players can hum musical notes into the system’s microphone and have those notes translated into ocarina performances inside the game. Zelda Notes support is also confirmed, extending the companion functionality already associated with Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Through a smartphone, players will be able to interact with an additional digital ocarina and access quizzes, gameplay assistance and other connected features. Nintendo also confirmed a complete French voice track, although Link himself will remain silent. The game launches on November 5, 2026, while its main theme will be added to Nintendo Music. New child versions of Link and Zelda amiibo are planned for 2027, and collectors will also get a special Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 system on October 29, accompanied by a carrying case. A matching Pro Controller will be sold separately through the My Nintendo Store.

Nintendo closed the broadcast with a cinematic new trailer for Ocarina of Time Remake, offering the clearest look yet at the scale of the project. Adult Link, Zelda, Sheik and Ganondorf all appeared alongside redesigned dungeons, bosses and several of Hyrule’s major regions. The sequence deliberately echoed the original game’s famous title screen before building toward the iconic Hyrule Field theme. The message behind the anniversary showcase was ultimately clear: Nintendo is treating Zelda’s 40th year as more than a nostalgic milestone. Between a major remake, a live action film, museum attractions, concerts and collectible releases, the publisher is expanding the franchise across several forms of entertainment while preparing its next generation of Zelda experiences.