2024 marks a significant milestone for Nintendo as The Legend of Zelda franchise celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Since its original release in 1986, The Legend of Zelda has solidified its place as one of the gaming industry’s most revered series, frequently redefining adventure gameplay and earning a devoted international fanbase.
With recent hits like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) and new titles such as Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (2024), the anticipation for how Nintendo would honor this anniversary has reached a fever pitch among the gaming community. Despite the high expectations, however, official announcements from Nintendo have yet to confirm any major releases or events specifically commemorating Zelda’s 40th anniversary in 2024.
The timeline for new mainline entries doesn’t align for this year: Tears of the Kingdom was in development for over five years before launching on the Nintendo Switch last year.
With contemporary game development cycles growing ever more ambitious, it is unlikely that fans will see a new 3D or 2D Zelda title in the immediate future.
Similarly, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, which launched in 2024, likely began development shortly after the successful 2019 remake of Link’s Awakening, indicating a lengthy production pipeline for any future projects. Some rumors have suggested that Nintendo could still mark the anniversary with ports or remakes.
Notably, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD are titles that continue to surface in Switch speculation.
Despite persistent predictions by industry leakers and a fan demand fueled by the momentum of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, these versions have yet to appear on Nintendo Switch.
Currently, players can experience the original Wind Waker through Nintendo Switch Online on Switch 2, illustrating Nintendo’s commitment to making legacy content available on modern platforms.
This pattern is not unprecedented.
Nintendo has brought classics like the Game Boy Advance version of Mario vs.
Donkey Kong and Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen to Nintendo Switch Online, even when enhanced remakes are already on the console.
Similarly, Link’s Awakening DX is available digitally despite the existence of its recent remake.
This strategy keeps the door open for Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD to see their own eventual releases, supported by the proven capability of studios like Tantalus Media—which previously developed Twilight Princess HD and Skyward Sword HD, and most recently released Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD in 2024.
Though these teams are considered busy, their record shows Nintendo’s penchant for leveraging trusted partners for high-definition ports or remakes. As most Zelda games on Nintendo Switch already have editions compatible with Switch 2 or standout remasters, it limits opportunities for surprise releases outside this framework.
For example, Skyward Sword HD already runs at 60 frames per second, leaving little room for performance improvements.
Some attention could shift to releases like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, though its most recent companion, Age of Imprisonment, has just arrived. Other potential anniversary gestures include special edition Zelda amiibo or updates related to the anticipated Mineru’s Construct figure, initially announced in 2023 but still awaiting a firm release date.
Additionally, Nintendo may expand classic offerings on the eShop or Nintendo Switch Online—possibly adding Twilight Princess to the growing digital collection—or even preview content such as a Zelda-themed movie trailer, should broader franchise projects materialize. While this year’s 40th anniversary may not deliver a content-packed celebration, Nintendo remains consistent in ensuring the availability of Zelda classics and in supporting the series’ legacy.
As always, fans continue to express their hopes for surprise announcements or commemorative releases, keeping The Legend of Zelda’s enduring magic alive on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and beyond.
Since its original release in 1986, The Legend of Zelda has solidified its place as one of the gaming industry’s most revered series, frequently redefining adventure gameplay and earning a devoted international fanbase.
With recent hits like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) and new titles such as Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (2024), the anticipation for how Nintendo would honor this anniversary has reached a fever pitch among the gaming community. Despite the high expectations, however, official announcements from Nintendo have yet to confirm any major releases or events specifically commemorating Zelda’s 40th anniversary in 2024.
The timeline for new mainline entries doesn’t align for this year: Tears of the Kingdom was in development for over five years before launching on the Nintendo Switch last year.
With contemporary game development cycles growing ever more ambitious, it is unlikely that fans will see a new 3D or 2D Zelda title in the immediate future.
Similarly, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, which launched in 2024, likely began development shortly after the successful 2019 remake of Link’s Awakening, indicating a lengthy production pipeline for any future projects. Some rumors have suggested that Nintendo could still mark the anniversary with ports or remakes.
Notably, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD are titles that continue to surface in Switch speculation.
Despite persistent predictions by industry leakers and a fan demand fueled by the momentum of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, these versions have yet to appear on Nintendo Switch.
Currently, players can experience the original Wind Waker through Nintendo Switch Online on Switch 2, illustrating Nintendo’s commitment to making legacy content available on modern platforms.
This pattern is not unprecedented.
Nintendo has brought classics like the Game Boy Advance version of Mario vs.
Donkey Kong and Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen to Nintendo Switch Online, even when enhanced remakes are already on the console.
Similarly, Link’s Awakening DX is available digitally despite the existence of its recent remake.
This strategy keeps the door open for Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD to see their own eventual releases, supported by the proven capability of studios like Tantalus Media—which previously developed Twilight Princess HD and Skyward Sword HD, and most recently released Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD in 2024.
Though these teams are considered busy, their record shows Nintendo’s penchant for leveraging trusted partners for high-definition ports or remakes. As most Zelda games on Nintendo Switch already have editions compatible with Switch 2 or standout remasters, it limits opportunities for surprise releases outside this framework.
For example, Skyward Sword HD already runs at 60 frames per second, leaving little room for performance improvements.
Some attention could shift to releases like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, though its most recent companion, Age of Imprisonment, has just arrived. Other potential anniversary gestures include special edition Zelda amiibo or updates related to the anticipated Mineru’s Construct figure, initially announced in 2023 but still awaiting a firm release date.
Additionally, Nintendo may expand classic offerings on the eShop or Nintendo Switch Online—possibly adding Twilight Princess to the growing digital collection—or even preview content such as a Zelda-themed movie trailer, should broader franchise projects materialize. While this year’s 40th anniversary may not deliver a content-packed celebration, Nintendo remains consistent in ensuring the availability of Zelda classics and in supporting the series’ legacy.
As always, fans continue to express their hopes for surprise announcements or commemorative releases, keeping The Legend of Zelda’s enduring magic alive on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and beyond.
