Four decades of Hyrule adventures are about to be celebrated in style. Nintendo has officially announced The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Collection, a commemorative celebration featuring new merchandise and special events set to begin on October 2, 2026 in Japan.
Nintendo Pulls Out The Confetti For Zelda’s 40th Birthday
The announcement confirms that Nintendo will mark forty years of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises with a dedicated anniversary collection. Fans in Japan will be the first to experience the festivities, with a lineup of events and commemorative products launching at the start of October 2026.
While Nintendo has kept many specifics under wraps, the confirmation alone is enough to set the Zelda community buzzing. Anniversary celebrations have historically been a big deal for the company — the Zelda 25th anniversary brought Symphony concerts and a special Gold Wii Remote, while Mario’s 35th anniversary delivered the limited-time Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection. Expectations are understandably sky-high for a milestone as massive as 40 years.
A Legacy Four Decades In The Making
From 8-Bit Origins To Global Phenomenon
When the original The Legend of Zelda arrived on the NES in 1986, it introduced revolutionary ideas like open-ended exploration and battery-backed save files. Since then, the franchise has evolved into one of the most critically acclaimed series in gaming history, with landmark titles including A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and the genre-redefining Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Reaching a 40th anniversary is a rare feat in the video game industry. Few franchises manage to stay relevant across four console generations while continually reinventing themselves — and Zelda has done exactly that, most recently with the open-air formula that introduced Hyrule to an entirely new generation of players.
Why Japan Gets The Party First
It’s no surprise that the celebrations are kicking off in Nintendo’s home country. The company has a long tradition of launching anniversary events domestically before rolling them out worldwide. If past milestones are any indication, there’s a strong chance elements of the 40th anniversary — whether merchandise, concerts, or digital goodies — could eventually reach fans in North America, Europe, and beyond.
What Could The Anniversary Collection Include?
Although Nintendo hasn’t detailed the full contents of the anniversary collection, fans are already speculating. Based on previous celebrations, possibilities include commemorative art books, soundtrack releases, special edition hardware, themed apparel, and collectible figures. Some hopeful fans are even crossing their fingers for classic game re-releases or a retrospective compilation, though nothing of the sort has been confirmed at this stage.
Whatever form it takes, an anniversary of this magnitude is unlikely to be limited to a few trinkets. Nintendo knows how much Zelda means to its fanbase, and the October 2026 date gives the company plenty of runway to build hype throughout 2026.
Get Ready For The Celebration With TURGAME
Want to revisit Link’s greatest adventures before the anniversary festivities begin? You can stock up on Nintendo eShop gift cards and game codes at TURGAME.com, making it easy to catch up on modern classics like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom — or gift them to a fellow Zelda fan ahead of the big celebration.
Forty years of Hyrule is no small milestone, and October 2026 is shaping up to be a month Zelda fans won’t want to miss. Stay tuned for more details as Nintendo reveals them.
Source: ScreenRant Gaming