Today marks 40 years since the original Legend of Zelda launched in Japan in 1986, and Nintendo is celebrating with something it has never done before: a Direct presentation dedicated entirely to one franchise. The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct airs today, September 8, at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST, running roughly 30 minutes.
Why a Franchise-Only Direct Is a Genuinely Big Deal
Nintendo has run a September Direct almost every year since 2012, but a full presentation built around a single series is a new format even for Zelda. That alone signals Nintendo sees enough material — games, merchandise, and other 40th-anniversary projects — to justify carving out dedicated airtime rather than folding Zelda news into a broader showcase.
The Safest Bet: Ocarina of Time Finally Gets a Release Date
Nintendo confirmed a Switch 2 remake of Ocarina of Time back in its June 2026 Direct, carrying a vague 2026 release window ever since. With the year now three-quarters gone and no exact date announced, this Direct is the most logical place for Nintendo to finally lock one in — and likely show substantially more gameplay than the original reveal offered. A leaked listing has reportedly already priced the remake at $59.99, though Nintendo hasn’t confirmed that figure itself.
What Else Could Show Up
Nintendo’s official framing promises news that extends “outside games,” which points toward physical anniversary merchandise, art books, or event announcements alongside anything game-related. The Legend of Zelda live-action film, currently set for an April 2027 release and having recently wrapped filming, is also a strong candidate for a first trailer given the timing. Beyond that, expectations should stay modest: past Directs, including last September’s, have mixed first-party spotlights with smaller third-party reveals and the occasional surprise hardware announcement, but nothing beyond Ocarina of Time and the movie has been officially teased for today’s show.
A Second Direct Follows Tomorrow
Today’s Zelda-focused show is only half of Nintendo’s plan this week. A general Nintendo Direct airs tomorrow, September 9, at the same time slot, running approximately 45 minutes and focused on Switch 2 software launching this winter. A Nintendo Treehouse: Live stream follows immediately after, showing extended gameplay from titles featured in that second Direct. Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave, due out later this month, is considered a near-certain inclusion. Rumors circulating around a new 3D Mario, Super Smash Bros., or Metroid projects for tomorrow’s show currently trace back to unverified sources and should be treated as speculation rather than expected reveals.
How to Watch
The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct streams live on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel and through the Nintendo Today! smart-device app starting at 7am PT / 10am ET / 3pm BST today. A recording will be available on-demand shortly after the livestream ends for anyone who can’t catch it live.
Bottom Line
A dedicated 40th-anniversary Direct is Nintendo treating Zelda with the same weight it gave the franchise’s 35th anniversary in 2021, which brought remasters, hardware, and orchestral content alongside game news. An Ocarina of Time release date feels like the safest prediction of the day, but the “outside games” framing leaves real room for surprises. Either way, followed immediately by a second Direct tomorrow, this is shaping up to be the busiest 48 hours of Nintendo news all year.
