The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Merchandise Includes Limited Edition Switch 2 and Panini Trading Cards

We might be in the final quarter of 2026, but Nintendo is just now getting around to celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, the iconic adventure series that began on the Japanese version of the NES, the Family Computer, and its Famicom Disk System add-on. Nintendo’s presentation included the reveal of the logo for the upcoming live-action Zelda movie, a LEGO set, and a deep dive into the highly anticipated remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo Switch 2.

Quick reaction: the glistening look where everything in Kokiri Forest was seemingly bathing in baby oil was jarring at first, but once they got out into Hyrule Field and other familiar locations, the updated art direction started to feel more like a worthy successor to the original. Might want to tone down the glisten on Young Link’s face before release, though.

First New Nintendo Switch 2 Colorway Revealed

In between the two major reveals was a montage of toys, peripherals, limited-edition swag, and surprises that fans can look forward to when the game releases on November 5th, two weeks before Grand Theft Auto 6. Unlike other companies that moved their release dates to get away from GTA 6, Nintendo could not care less and rightfully so. Their fan base is so detached from whatever else is going on in the gaming world that they can set their own schedule, and those that do overlap will end up buying both games either at launch or over the next few years.

As is tradition since the days of the gold NES cartridge for the first Legend of Zelda, Nintendo will drop limited edition variants for the Ocarina of Time remake. The Switch 2 will be getting its first new colorway in the form of a royal green and gold handheld with a black and gold dock featuring Triforce artwork. A new Ocarina-themed Switch 2 Pro Controller with accompanying stand will also be available on October 29, the same day the console is released.

A version of the Pro Controller 2 with the matching stand will also be available, but only on Nintendo’s online store and at their flagship stores in New York and San Francisco in the US. Preorders for the physical version of the game with a textured foil cover - a nod to the gold cover and cartridge of the Nintendo 64 original - are available now on Nintendo’s website. Best Buy opened preorders for the special edition Nintendo Switch 2 today as well.

Panini Zelda Trading Cards Are a Europe-Only Release?

While the rest of the world saw the montage of new products like new action figures, Amiibos for Young Like and Young Zelda, and working ocarinas, the various Nintendo YouTube channels across Europe were treated to a bonus piece of merch to look forward to: Panini will be making a Legend of Zelda Master Collection trading card set.

In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it image, it featured a photo of the box, a sampling of the cards that features art from different generations of the Zelda franchise, and an album where collectors can keep their cards. What was not revealed in the presentation was whether these cards will feature the same themed inserts that their subsidiary Panini America brand has become famous for, including Prizms and sets like Color Blast and Kaboom! No release date is set for the Panini Legend of Zelda Master Collection as of this post.

Juan Martinez

From video game journalism to veteran of the sneaker blog era to podcasting about well, everything, Juan is smiling through it all and can't believe this is his life. His current hot take is that people are really underrating the Psyduck trading card market. Email: juan@soleretriever.com Instagram | Twitter | Bluesky | Threads : @ezyville