Nintendo is about to give Zelda fans a potentially huge reason to tune in. With The Legend of Zelda celebrating its 40th anniversary, Nintendo has scheduled a dedicated Direct for September 8, followed just one day later by a broader Nintendo Direct focused on games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this winter.
And while Nintendo has not promised a specific reveal, one question is impossible to ignore: could The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time finally get its exact Nintendo Switch 2 release date?
Nintendo isn’t the only platform holder dealing with a high-stakes financial story this week. For more, read our report on Sony’s $508 Million PS5 Tariff Refund Fight Takes a Dramatic Turn — Will PlayStation Buyers Get Their Money Back?.
Nintendo Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct: Date, Time and What to Expect
The first presentation is scheduled for September 8 at 7am PT and will run for approximately 30 minutes. Nintendo has positioned the showcase around the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, meaning the presentation could cover more than just upcoming games.
The key confirmed detail is that Nintendo’s Japanese announcement specifically says viewers will receive information about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2
That immediately makes the long-awaited release date one of the biggest unanswered questions heading into the event.
| Date | Event | Time | Duration | Official focus |
| September 8, 2026 | The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct | 7am PT | Approx. 30 minutes | Zelda 40th anniversary information and Ocarina of Time details |
| September 9, 2026 | Nintendo Direct | 7am PT | Approx. 45 minutes | Nintendo Switch 2 games coming this winter |
| September 9, 2026 | Nintendo Treehouse: Live | After the Direct | — | Gameplay coverage of selected featured titles |
For Zelda fans, however, the real intrigue begins with a game Nintendo has already confirmed.
While you wait on Zelda news, you don’t have to wait at all for another long-dormant action series making its comeback. Check out our guide on Onimusha: Way of the Sword Launches September 4 as Capcom Brings Samurai Action Back After 20 Years.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Could Be the Biggest Reveal
Nintendo announced The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2 in June, describing it as the return of the critically acclaimed Nintendo 64 classic for a new generation.
The company has confirmed that the game will arrive in 2026.
There is just one major piece missing: the exact release date.
Nintendo’s official listing currently provides only a 2026 release window, without specifying a particular day. That makes the September 8 anniversary presentation a very natural opportunity for Nintendo to finally reveal when players can get their hands on it.
Nintendo has already said the game will be “reborn” on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
“reborn”
That wording has naturally added to the anticipation surrounding the project, particularly because this is not simply a new listing for an old Nintendo 64 title. Nintendo described the project as a version of the acclaimed classic being brought back for a new generation and rebuilt for the newer hardware.
The June Nintendo Direct revealed Ocarina of Time alongside several other major Nintendo Switch 2 announcements, making it one of the more notable additions to the platform’s growing catalogue.
Now, with Zelda’s 40th anniversary providing the backdrop, Nintendo has another obvious opportunity to show what comes next.
If you’re the type who likes signing up early for launch rewards, one anime tie-in just opened its own pre-registration with a stacked incentive list. Read our story on BLEACH Mirrors High Opens Pre-Registration With New Trailer, Tite Kubo Characters and Huge Launch Rewards.
Why Ocarina of Time Release Date Speculation Makes Sense
It is important to separate what Nintendo has confirmed from what fans may reasonably expect.
Nintendo has not confirmed that a release date will be announced on September 8.
What Nintendo has confirmed is that the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct will contain information connected to the franchise’s anniversary. The Japanese announcement goes further by specifically pointing to additional details about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2.
That distinction matters.
A release-date announcement would fit perfectly within the information Nintendo has promised, but it remains an expectation rather than an official announcement.
For players who have been waiting since the June reveal, though, the possibility is significant. Nintendo has already established the 2026 window. The next logical question is when in 2026 the game will actually arrive.
And September 8 could finally provide that missing answer.
Anticipation is one thing, but security has been a genuine problem at gaming events lately too. For more, check our report on Gamescom 2026 Hit by Multiple Equipment Thefts as Developers Report Stolen Laptops and Unfinished Game Builds.
Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct Could Reveal More Than Games
The anniversary presentation is also interesting because Nintendo has not framed it exclusively as a traditional game showcase.
The company has said the presentation will cover a variety of information related to The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary. Nintendo’s announcement also points toward anniversary initiatives beyond games.
That leaves some room for surprises.
One possibility mentioned in the supplied report is an update involving the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, which is scheduled to reach theatres in 2027.
However, there is an important caveat: Nintendo has not confirmed that the movie will appear during the presentation.
So while the film is a reasonable expectation for fans watching the anniversary event, it should not be treated as an announced part of the Direct.
The same applies to another major possibility: a potential new mainline Zelda game.
There is speculation that Nintendo could tease another entry in the series, but once again, there is no official confirmation that this will happen.
For now, the safest expectations remain the anniversary celebration and further information about Ocarina of Time.
peaking of franchise anniversaries getting a creative new spin, a different beloved series is trying something completely different with its next project. Check out our story on Pokémon Tales: Sirfetch’d and Pichu’s First Trailer Brings Aardman’s Wild Stop-Motion Adventure to Galar.
The September 9 Nintendo Direct Shifts Focus to Switch 2 Games
Nintendo won’t stop with Zelda.
One day later, on September 9, the company will hold another Nintendo Direct at 7am PT. This presentation will run for approximately 45 minutes and will focus on games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 this winter.
That gives Nintendo a chance to move from Zelda’s anniversary spotlight to the wider Switch 2 lineup.
Several previously announced games could potentially receive new information.
One of the titles highlighted in the supplied report is Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, which is scheduled to launch for Nintendo Switch 2 on September 17.
Another is Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, listed for release on October 22.
These dates make both games particularly relevant as Nintendo looks toward its upcoming Switch 2 schedule.
Nintendo isn’t the only company dealing with unreleased material surfacing early. Our story covers Valve’s 12TB Steam Leak Unearths Early Portal 2 Builds and Reopens the Half-Life 2: Episode Three Mystery.
The Duskbloods Could Also Get a Nintendo Switch 2 Update
FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods is another strong candidate for additional information.
The game is a Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive multiplayer action RPG and recently held a closed network playtest in August.
Its release window is currently listed as sometime in 2026, but Nintendo and FromSoftware have not announced a specific release date.
That means The Duskbloods, like Ocarina of Time, still has an important date-related question hanging over it.
Nintendo has also confirmed that Nintendo Treehouse: Live will follow the September 9 Direct. The programme will provide gameplay coverage of selected titles featured during the presentation, potentially giving viewers a closer look at some of the games introduced or updated during the showcase.
peaking of features fans are eager to get their hands on, one leaked Nvidia technology is already being tested inside games by modders. Read our breakdown of Nvidia’s Leaked DLSS 5 Is Already Being Modded Into Games — and Players Can’t Agree on the Results.
Nintendo Direct Leaks: Super Smash Bros., Nintendogs and More
Then there is the much less certain part of the story: the leaks.
Several unverified reports have circulated ahead of the September Nintendo presentations. According to the supplied Gadgets 360 report, leaker Malo932, via CentroLeaks, claimed that a new Super Smash Bros. game is in development and could appear during the presentation.
The same report attributed claims of a new Nintendogs game and Mario Kart World DLC, reportedly planned for 2027, to the leak.
Other alleged projects mentioned in the report include:
- A new Star Fox Adventures
- A 3D follow-up to Super Mario Odyssey
- A new Wario World
- A new 2D Metroid game
Some of these projects were reportedly targeting next year.
But none of these claims have been confirmed by Nintendo.
That means they should remain firmly in the rumour category rather than being presented as part of Nintendo’s official September 9 lineup.
For anyone following Nintendo leaks closely, this distinction is especially important. A reported leak can generate enormous excitement online, but until Nintendo itself announces a project, there is no guarantee that it exists, let alone that it will appear in the upcoming Direct.
Rumours aside, some games are delivering very real, very confirmed improvements right now. Check out our guide on Phasmophobia Quality of Life Part 2 Adds Restricted Maps, Better VR, Evidence Tracking Upgrades and Creepier Deaths.
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Timing Could Be Very Significant
The timing of the September 8 presentation is what makes the Ocarina of Time speculation particularly interesting.
The Legend of Zelda is celebrating 40 years, and Nintendo has already confirmed that its anniversary Direct will include information about the franchise as well as further details about Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2.
For fans waiting for the remake, the biggest unanswered question remains remarkably simple:
When is it coming?
Nintendo has only committed to 2026 so far.
If the company decides to reveal the exact launch date during the anniversary presentation, it would turn an already significant Zelda celebration into an even bigger moment for Nintendo Switch 2 owners.
But until Nintendo says otherwise, the release date remains unknown.
Nintendo isn’t the only company taking a hard line on protecting its ecosystem lately. Our story covers Activision Takes the Call of Duty Cheat War to a Seller’s Front Door With Dramatic Cease-and-Desist Visit.
What Nintendo Has Actually Confirmed So Far
With anticipation building around both presentations, the safest way to approach the week is to keep confirmed announcements separate from speculation.
The September 8 Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct is officially scheduled for 7am PT and will run for approximately 30 minutes. It will include anniversary-related information and further details about The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2.
The September 9 Nintendo Direct is officially scheduled for 7am PT and will run for approximately 45 minutes, focusing on Nintendo Switch 2 games arriving this winter.
Nintendo Treehouse: Live will then follow the September 9 presentation with gameplay coverage of selected titles.
Everything beyond those confirmed details — including a specific Ocarina of Time release date, a new mainline Zelda game, the live-action movie appearing, or the various leaked games — remains unconfirmed.
Confirmed comebacks are always more exciting than rumoured ones, and one classic legendary Pokémon is making a very real return right now. For more, read our guide on Armored Mewtwo Returns to Pokémon GO After Six Years as Mega Mewtwo X and Y Take Over GO Fest 2026.
Conclusion: Is Ocarina of Time Finally Getting Its Date?
Nintendo has created a pretty compelling setup without actually promising the one reveal many fans are waiting for.
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct arrives at exactly the right moment for Ocarina of Time. Nintendo has already announced the Nintendo Switch 2 version, confirmed its 2026 release window and specifically said the anniversary presentation will include additional information about the game.
That does not guarantee a release date announcement.
But it certainly makes Ocarina of Time’s exact launch date one of the biggest things to watch for on September 8.
Then, just 24 hours later, Nintendo will turn the spotlight toward its wider Nintendo Switch 2 winter lineup, with Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, The Duskbloods and other previously announced games potentially receiving more information.
As for the internet’s more ambitious predictions — Super Smash Bros., Nintendogs, Star Fox Adventures, a Super Mario Odyssey follow-up, Wario World, 2D Metroid and Mario Kart World DLC — those remain rumours until Nintendo officially confirms them.
For now, one thing is certain: Zelda’s 40th anniversary is giving Nintendo a major stage, and Ocarina of Time has one very important date still waiting to be revealed.
Speaking of dates still waiting to be revealed, Nintendo isn’t the only console maker facing that exact question right now. Check out our report on PS6 Release Date Still Up in the Air as Sony Faces Rising Memory Costs and a Major PlayStation Shift.
Disclaimer and Sources
This article is based on a thorough review of the following supplied sources and distinguishes Nintendo’s confirmed announcements from reported expectations and unverified leaks. Rumoured games and potential reveals should not be treated as confirmed unless Nintendo officially announces them.
- Nintendo — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct
- Nintendo — Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct and September 9 Nintendo Direct
- Nintendo — Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9
- Nintendo — The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Nintendo Switch 2
- Nintendo — June 2026 Nintendo Direct announcement
Featured Image Credit: Nintendo
Leave a Reply