Nintendo will hold two separate Nintendo Direct broadcasts next week, giving fans a dedicated look at the Legend of Zelda franchise before turning to the company's broader upcoming lineup. The pairing marks one of Nintendo's more concentrated announcement weeks in 2026, arriving as the Switch 2 release calendar continues to fill out month by month.
The first broadcast, a Zelda-focused Direct tied to the franchise's 40th anniversary, is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8 at 7am Pacific, 10am Eastern, and 3pm UK time, running 30 minutes. The general Nintendo Direct follows exactly 24 hours later, on Wednesday, September 9 at the same time slot, running 45 minutes and immediately followed by a 110-minute Nintendo Treehouse stream showing extended gameplay of titles featured in the Direct.
The timing puts fresh pressure on Nintendo to clarify where its Ocarina of Time remake fits into an already crowded end-of-year release window, since the company has confirmed a 2026 launch with only a few months left on the calendar.
What to expect from the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct
The anniversary broadcast is widely expected to center on the Ocarina of Time remake, which Nintendo has confirmed will launch before the end of 2026. With Switch 2 titles landing on a roughly monthly cadence this year and Switch Sports Resort already set for October, the remake could be positioned to launch the same month as Grand Theft Auto 6 in November, though Nintendo has not stated a specific date.
The live-action Zelda movie may get its first proper look
Nintendo and Sony's live-action Legend of Zelda film has crept closer to release, and the anniversary Direct is seen as a likely moment for Nintendo to formalize casting that has largely leaked already. Officially, Nintendo has confirmed only two roles: Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda.
| Reported role | Actor | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Link | Benjamin Evan Ainsworth | Officially confirmed |
| Zelda | Bo Bragason | Officially confirmed |
| Ganondorf | Uli Latukefu | Reported, not confirmed |
| Impa | Dichen Lachman | Reported, not confirmed |
| Additional cast | Yvonne Strahovski, Lydia Peckham, Sam Neill | Reported, not confirmed |
A teaser trailer for the film is considered a strong possibility during the broadcast, though Nintendo has not announced one.
Anniversary hardware also expected
Nintendo is also expected to reveal Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary themed Switch 2 hardware and Joy-Con controllers, following a pattern the company has used for past franchise milestones, though pricing and availability have not been announced.
What the general Nintendo Direct is likely to cover
The Wednesday broadcast is expected to lean on titles Nintendo has already dated for release this year. Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is due September 17, just over a week after the Direct, and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort follows on October 22.
2027 lineup remains largely unannounced
Outside of the Ocarina of Time remake, Nintendo has said comparatively little about its plans for 2027. A appearance from the long-rumored 3D Mario project is possible but far from guaranteed based on current information. A smaller franchise entry, such as a new Luigi's Mansion or a 2D Metroid title, is considered more likely to surface as an addition to the early 2027 release slate.
Nintendo has not published a full agenda for either broadcast, and further details will only be confirmed once each Direct airs.
