Zelda 40th Switch 2 Controller Leak Replaces Console Rumors

There's a new wave of chatter around a special Zelda Switch 2 Pro Controller, and unlike most Nintendo rumors, this one comes with a track record backing it up. Whispers about an Ocarina of Time remake were floating around long before Nintendo ever confirmed anything officially.

Back in late December 2024, one claim pointed to a big-budget Ocarina of Time project taking shape, months before it turned into a mainstream talking point. That same source later added a Zelda-themed limited-edition Switch 2 console to the mix, though whether a game would come bundled with it was still up in the air at the time.

All of this surfaced well before Nintendo ever teased the remake publicly, which is part of why it's worth taking seriously.

This same source also nailed Nintendo's two-SKU launch strategy for the Switch 2, a standalone console alongside a Mario Kart World bundle, getting the pricing and June launch window right when nobody else had those specifics locked down. Credit for early details on Metroid Prime 4 and the idea of a new Mario Galaxy game being planned around Mario's 40th anniversary also traces back to this source.

Separately, another rumor floated the idea that a themed controller might replace a fully themed console. That theory picked up traction after an editor at a Nintendo-focused outlet claimed to have already seen the design and said it lines up with a teaser Nintendo had quietly put out.

This same claim had previously referenced Zelda content tied to a cryptic Nintendo tweet, and the earlier prediction about Ocarina of Time being in development also checked out ahead of official word. According to what this editor described, the design leans green around the edges, similar to Splatoon's color scheme, with gold accents and a Triforce symbol placed between the minus and plus buttons.

They were upfront that they didn't know whether a themed console was actually planned, but said they had solid knowledge of the controller itself. To help visualize what this could look like, another creator put together a mock-up showing the green sides, the gold detailing, and the Triforce symbol positioned between the minus and plus buttons.

It's worth noting that this is just a fan-made concept and not an official look at the product.

Button placement and logo positioning could easily be different in the final version.  But it does give you a general sense of the direction Nintendo might be taking with this Switch 2 Pro Controller. Initial reports assumed this Switch 2 Pro Controller would be Ocarina of Time-themed specifically, but that got corrected.

The design is now being described as tied to Zelda's 40th anniversary as a whole, not Ocarina of Time on its own. The original insider chimed back in to confirm that both the controller and a possible console are Zelda-themed in a broader sense, not necessarily built around Ocarina of Time, and clarified they'd mixed up that detail earlier. When asked directly whether a themed console is still expected, they simply said yes.

First, it confirms Nintendo is planning something specifically to mark Zelda's 40th anniversary, separate from whatever they're doing with the Ocarina of Time remake itself. Second, it raises real questions about what Nintendo revealed so far.

The teaser trailer for Ocarina of Time gave fans very little to go on, just a brief in-game cutscene of Link sleeping and some tapestry narration that likely sets up the story. Beyond a 2026 release window, there's been no gameplay, no further details, nothing else concrete.

If this Zelda-themed Switch 2 Pro Controller and possible console really are happening, they'll need to go into production soon, which means leaks are basically inevitable.

This wouldn't be the first time Nintendo hardware leaked ahead of an official reveal; a previous special-edition Zelda OLED model, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Edition Nintendo Switch – OLED Model,  leaked early too, and its design matched what eventually released down to small details.

That puts Nintendo in a familiar position: get ahead of the leaks with an early reveal, or let the design trickle out online and announce it whenever they're ready. Nintendo doesn't always rush to control the narrative, but there's a practical reason they might want to move quickly this time.

The Switch 2's price is set to jump to $500 starting September 1, and revealing this special-edition hardware around August could give shoppers a reason to hold off and wait for something more exciting instead of buying the standard model at the higher price.

There's also a chance Nintendo bundles Ocarina of Time in with this special-edition Switch 2 Pro Controller setup, possibly pricing it around $550 for the themed hardware plus the game. Given that Ocarina of Time is expected to launch around $80 for a physical copy and $70 digitally, a bundle like that could offer a modest discount compared to buying everything separately.

For now, none of this is officially confirmed by Nintendo.

Between the accurate track records of insiders involved and the timing lining up with the Switch 2 price increase, it's easy to see why this rumor is picking up steam. Whether it ends up being just a Switch 2 Pro Controller, a full themed console, or both, Zelda's 40th anniversary looks like it's shaping up to be a bigger deal than fans initially expected.