The Legend Of Zelda's Official 2026 Return Has Me Seriously Hyped

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of The Legend Of Zelda, and it's clear that Nintendo has some big plans for Link's Birthday in 2026. The first officially announced release, which I expect to be the first of many, already has me absolutely salivating.

There are plenty of reasons to look forward to the 40th anniversary, kicking off in March 2026 with a return to fan-favorite Ocarina Of Time. You'll probably want to start saving up now.

The Legend Of Zelda Officially Returns In 2026

I'm painfully excited for this one

Coming March 2026 is a brand-new LEGO set featuring Link's climatic battle with Ganon in Ocarina Of Time. While we haven't had a proper look at the set itself yet, a teaser suggests the brunt of the build will be focused on Ganon's monstrous pig form. At 1003 pieces, it'll be a little smaller than the LEGO Deku Tree set, but that also means it should be more affordable, which is definitely a good thing.

What has me most excited about this set is that it clearly means Nintendo is taking the 40th anniversary of Zelda very seriously.

While we don't know for sure what else Nintendo has planned for the anniversary, there's simply no way all we're getting is a LEGO set. Not that I'd be unhappy with that, mind you, it looks like one heck of a set, and I am ready to spend irresponsible amounts of money on it.

The New LEGO Set Is Part Of The Series' 40th Anniversary Plans

This new set is just a small part (I assume) of the big 40th anniversary plans for The Legend Of Zelda next year. Here are a few other things I think we could see for the series in 2026, mostly based on what's actually likely with just a dash of wishful thinking.

The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of Time Remake

There are plenty of fan remakes out there, but a proper Nintendo Switch 2 reimagining of the 1998 classic would go so ridiculously hard. Nintendo would probably make enough money to buy the moon, then carve a creepy face on that moon as a promotion for the inevitable Majora's Mask remake.

This one is, I fear, not very likely. But a Switch 2 port of Ocarina Of Time 3D with an improved resolution would be pretty neat if we can't get a brand-new remake.

The Legend Of Zelda HD Anniversary Collection

Mario celebrated his 35th Birthday with Super Mario 3D All-Stars, a collection that included ports of Super Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy, and Super Mario Sunshine. If we could possibly get a Zelda collection that includes the HD remasters of Twilight Princess and Wind Waker, I would be a happy man. For the love of god, Nintendo, put Wind Waker HD on Switch.

The Switch 2's First Mainline Zelda Game To Be Announced

It would be madness to assume 2026 will see the next mainline Zelda released. Far more likely we get a collection like the one described above. But I do feel pretty confident that 2026 is the year we get our first look at the Switch 2's first proper Zelda game. My only hope is that we move away from the era and art-style of Breath Of The Wild/Tears Of The Kingdom. Both of these games are masterpieces, but the beauty of Zelda is that it's always changing.

The Legend Of Zelda Movie Trailer

Nintendo's live-action Zelda movie is set to release in May 2027, so there's absolutely no way we won't get a first trailer in 2026, probably as part of some special Zelda-themed Nintendo Direct. My hope is that the movie's star, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, reveals his Link voice is just a Chris Pratt Mario impression.

Let us know what you'd like to see from Zelda's 40th anniversary down in the comments!