Nintendo Confirms Dates for Zelda 40th & September Direct

Nintendo is preparing for a packed week of announcements, with a Zelda-focused presentation arriving first and a larger general showcase following immediately after. The schedule gives you an unusually clear look at what is coming, and the back-to-back format could point toward a much bigger lineup than a standard presentation.

Just a single day separates the two events; The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct lands on September 8, 2026, with the standard Nintendo Direct following on September 9. What makes the Zelda showcase stand out is the lead time Nintendo has given fans: unlike its usual practice for both mainline and special-themed presentations, this one was announced well in advance.

The timing also makes sense if Nintendo wants to separate the Zelda celebration from its broader announcements.

The Nintendo Direct could focus on upcoming releases across Switch 2, while the Zelda anniversary presentation gets room for a larger celebration of the franchise. A major reason for that separation could be the Ocarina of Time remake. Unlike the Mario 40th anniversary celebration, which did not appear to have one huge new 3D Mario centerpiece ready to take over the presentation, Zelda has a major release to highlight.

The Ocarina of Time remake could therefore become the main attraction of the September 8 showcase. Expect the Zelda 40th anniversary showcase to dig deep into the remake itself — fresh visuals, reworked mechanics, restructured systems, and gameplay changes are all likely on the table.

It may also be fans' first real chance to see this version of Hyrule in action, offering a clearer sense of just how far Nintendo has reimagined the original N64 classic for current hardware. There is also some indication that the remake will not simply reproduce the original game with upgraded graphics.

An insider previously suggested that the project is not a one-to-one recreation and that various modernizations and redesigned systems have been introduced. That could mean the September presentation has more to show than a straightforward visual upgrade.

The Ocarina of Time Remake remains the biggest known piece of the Zelda anniversary plans, but it may not be the only announcement.

Older Zelda releases could also return to the spotlight. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD have long been associated with potential Nintendo Switch 2 ports, and the anniversary would provide an obvious opportunity to finally reveal them.

The Zelda movie could also make an appearance. A first look at the upcoming film would fit naturally into a celebration built around the franchise's 40-year history. Nintendo could additionally use the event to reveal more Nintendo Switch Online titles connected to Zelda or introduce other anniversary-related projects.

Hardware is another major part of the expected celebration. A Zelda 40th anniversary Nintendo Switch 2 system and matching Pro Controller have already been reported through leaks, making them strong candidates for the presentation. New Zelda-themed amiibo are less certain and remain speculation, but they would also fit into the broader anniversary plans.

That makes the Zelda presentation feel considerably more substantial than a simple update on one game. The Ocarina of Time remake provides the centerpiece, while potential ports, movie footage, Nintendo Switch Online additions, and anniversary hardware could fill out the rest of the showcase. Then, on September 9, the Nintendo Direct returns with the wider Nintendo Switch 2 lineup.

One of the first things you can expect Nintendo to address is release dates.

Several upcoming games still need firm launch information, while a number of third-party projects have been rumored, rated, or otherwise linked to the platform without receiving full announcements. The list of potential third-party reveals is already sizeable.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been mentioned alongside Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4, while Tekken 8 has also been connected to rumors surrounding the platform. There are numerous games that have appeared through ratings or leaks, so the September presentation could be an opportunity for Nintendo to fill out the rest of its upcoming software lineup.

The Nintendo Direct could also include another brief Ocarina of Time remake appearance. Even if the Zelda anniversary showcase handles the major reveal and release-date information, Nintendo could still give the game a smaller appearance during the broader presentation.

One of the more interesting possibilities is the next 2D Metroid game, sometimes referred to as Metroid Ravenous. The project has reportedly appeared through a ratings board listing, which has added to speculation that it could finally be shown. The timing would make sense.

Metroid Dread arrived five years ago, and it became the best-selling 2D Metroid game in the franchise.

The success of Dread also helped strengthen the position of 2D Metroid games, particularly when compared with the long wait surrounding Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. A new 2D Metroid game built around the power of the Switch 2 could therefore be a significant announcement.

Dread already pushed the older hardware visually and technically, so a new project from the same development team could potentially make strong use of the newer system. The possibility of Metroid Ravenous gives the Nintendo Direct another major first-party option beyond Zelda.

It also fits into a broader pattern where Nintendo appears to have several projects that could be ready for new information after months of rumors and ratings. There is another major possibility that could change the entire tone of the September 9 presentation: 3D Mario.

A new 3D Mario game has been considered a possibility for some time, and its absence from the Mario 40th anniversary plans could be one reason the Zelda celebration was kept separate. Nintendo also has a reason to make a stronger push this year. Grand Theft Auto 6 is launching on XBOX and PlayStation in 2026, and its arrival is already being viewed as a major factor for those platforms.

Without that game on Nintendo hardware, the company needs to give Switch 2 owners and potential buyers enough reasons to remain confident in the platform.

That's not to suggest Nintendo's slate is thin;  there's already a solid amount on offer. Still, with hardware costs climbing and rivals pushing harder, a bigger jolt of momentum wouldn't hurt. Big reveals tied to franchises like Zelda, Metroid, and Mario, alongside strong third-party support, could be exactly what gives Nintendo that extra push.

The Nintendo Direct arrives at an important point for Switch 2, particularly for people who have not yet made the jump from the original Switch. A strong Zelda anniversary showcase could be enough to convince some fans who have been waiting for a reason to upgrade.

The Nintendo Direct also has the opportunity to establish what the rest of 2026 and the future of Switch 2 will look like. A brand-new Zelda game teaser would be especially significant. There has already been discussion about a new Zelda title built specifically for Switch 2, and Nintendo has a history of showing major projects early when it wants to build long-term excitement.

If that teaser appears alongside the Ocarina of Time remake, the Zelda presentation could end up covering both the franchise's past and its future. The Nintendo Direct the following day could then broaden the focus to the rest of Nintendo's first-party and third-party lineup.

For now, the biggest confirmed pieces of this week are the September 8 Zelda anniversary presentation and the September 9 Nintendo Direct.

The first is positioned as a dedicated celebration of one of Nintendo's most important franchises, while the second should address the wider Switch 2 lineup and the games still waiting for release information. The two-day schedule has plenty of room for major announcements. Ocarina of Time is part of the conversation, along with possible Zelda ports and anniversary hardware. The Zelda movie could factor in too.

Nintendo Switch Online additions and Metroid Ravenous are also on the table. Third-party releases remain a possibility. Even 3D Mario could potentially make an appearance. The Nintendo Direct week is therefore shaping up to be one of the more important stretches for Nintendo this year.

The Zelda 40th anniversary presentation can give the franchise its own spotlight, while the broader Nintendo Direct can provide the bigger picture for Switch 2. If Nintendo delivers on even a portion of these possibilities, September could significantly change the conversation around the platform.