Leaked images circulating online appear to confirm a special The Legend of Zelda-themed Switch 2 console and Pro Controller, set to mark the franchise's 40th anniversary. The images, shared on Reddit and ResetEra, show packaging for the hardware, which features a logo dedicated to Zelda's 40th anniversary rather than any specific game. This aligns with earlier rumors and has heightened speculation that Nintendo will announce the hardware during a Direct presentation this month.
Leaked Images and Design Details
The leaked packaging images, which have spread across social media and gaming forums, show a Switch 2 console and a Pro Controller with a Triforce crest centered between the buttons, and a green tip on the + button. The design matches a description previously provided by 'Necro' Felipe Lima, editor at Universo Nintendo, who claimed to have seen the hardware. After the images surfaced, Lima shared them on X and stated they were 'exactly as I saw it previously,' and when asked if they were real, he replied: 'Both are legit.'
The console design is not tailored to the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake but instead celebrates Zelda's 40th anniversary, which officially passed on February 21. The anniversary date has technically passed, yet Nintendo has not yet marked the occasion in a substantial way, aside from some Ocarina of Time Lego sets. The leaked hardware suggests a more significant celebration is on the way.
Expected Announcement and Release Timing
If the designs are genuine, it is likely they will be announced in a future Nintendo Direct. Nintendo has traditionally held a Direct in September, but it could also host a Zelda-themed presentation before then. The company has recently done dedicated Directs for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Splatoon Raiders, making it plausible that Zelda will receive similar treatment.
This wouldn't be the first time Zelda-themed hardware has coincided with a new game. For Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, Nintendo released a special Switch OLED and controller, and a Zelda-themed 3DS was released for Majora's Mask 3D. The Ocarina of Time remake is expected to launch in November 2026, likely as Nintendo's big Christmas title for the Switch 2, which would align with the release of the themed hardware.
Context and Speculation
The leaked images have not been officially confirmed by Nintendo, but the box details and design similarities suggest they are legitimate. The hardware is expected to be a collector's item for fans, given the franchise's enduring popularity. The upcoming Ocarina of Time remake, set for 2026, has not received an exact release date, but all signs point to a November launch.
As of now, Nintendo has not announced any official plans for Zelda's 40th anniversary, but the leaked hardware indicates that a celebration is imminent. If the console and controller are real, they will likely be unveiled alongside the Ocarina of Time remake, potentially during a dedicated Zelda Direct. Fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation, and the leaks have only intensified speculation about what Nintendo has in store for the iconic franchise's milestone year.
