Nearly forty years. That’s how long The Legend of Zelda has been taking us on adventures across Hyrule, through time, and even across dimensions. On February 21st, 2026, the series will celebrate its 40th anniversary — a milestone only a handful of gaming franchises ever reach. But the big question is: how will Nintendo mark the occasion? Will it be a small nod like the 35th, or something as legendary as the 25th? Today, we’re looking back at how Nintendo has celebrated past anniversaries, hearing from Zelda creators about what they hope for, and imagining what the 40th could — and should — look like.

Today we’re diving into our hopes and dreams for Zelda’s 40th anniversary. I’ve got a bunch of fantastic Zelda creators together and in turn they’re going to let you know what they want. Thanks to each and every one of the creators for taking the time to contribute. If you want to find more of their content then you’ll find links in the description to their channels.

Nintendo has a history of marking Zelda anniversaries in very different ways. The 25th anniversary back in 2011 was a massive celebration — it kicked off with a live orchestral tribute at E3, a worldwide concert tour, and even a free release of Four Swords Anniversary Edition. Fans got special merchandise, a Zelda-themed 3DS, and the release of Hyrule Historia, a book that became a must-have for collectors.

By contrast, the 30th anniversary in 2016 was more low-key but still meaningful. Nintendo released a special line of amiibo, hosted concerts in Japan, and published gorgeous art books like Art & Artifacts and The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia. And of course, much of the anniversary spotlight was tied to the buildup for Breath of the Wild.

More recently, the 35th anniversary in 2021 was even smaller — we got Skyward Sword HD, a Zelda Game & Watch handheld, and a few themed products, but nothing close to the scale of Mario’s 35th anniversary the year before.

Looking at these past milestones, one thing is clear: sometimes Nintendo goes all-out, and other times the celebrations feel modest. Which makes the 40th anniversary such an exciting mystery — will it be a global, unforgettable event, or just another quiet nod to the franchise’s history?

What I want from Zelda’s 40th Anniversary

When it comes to Zelda’s 40th anniversary, the dream scenario is something that feels as grand as the series itself. Imagine a full-scale, worldwide orchestral tour like we saw during the 25th anniversary, but bigger — with stops across more regions, live-streamed concerts, and maybe even interactive fan events tied to the music. Zelda’s soundtrack is one of gaming’s most iconic, and hearing it celebrated on a global stage would instantly set the anniversary apart.

Another strong possibility is the return of beloved remasters. Fans have been waiting for The Wind Waker HD and Twilight Princess HD to come to the Switch. A bundled collection of classic 3D Zeldas, or even a full remake of a fan-favorite like Ocarina of Time, would make the 40th anniversary unforgettable. Something that I would love, but is probably very unlikely is the return of Zelda 2. It’s a divisive game, not the first game many think of when you say fan-favourite… but I would love to see it given the remake treatment and brought into modern day. It gives me 2D Dark Souls vibes and for me it has massive potential.

Books and collectibles are also almost certain. After Hyrule Historia, Art & Artifacts, and the Encyclopedia, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an updated compendium that covers Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. A “40 Years of Zelda” art book could combine never-before-seen concept art with developer commentary and timelines, much like previous anniversary publications. Special edition consoles, Joy-Cons, or even a new Zelda-themed hardware bundle could also be on the table.

And of course, the biggest dream of all would be tying the anniversary to a brand-new Zelda project. Whether it’s the announcement of the next mainline title, a surprise spin-off, or even just a teaser, a glimpse of where the series is headed would make the 40th truly legendary. Nintendo may not release a whole new game exactly on the anniversary, but history shows they love aligning big Zelda news with milestone years.

Challenges

As exciting as the possibilities are, it’s worth remembering that Nintendo doesn’t always go as big as fans hope. The 35th anniversary was a good example — after Mario’s huge celebrations, many expected Zelda to get the same treatment, but instead we got a smaller lineup with Skyward Sword HD, a handheld Game & Watch, and some themed merchandise. It was fun, but not the large-scale celebration people had imagined.

Another caveat is timing. The next mainline Zelda is potnetially years away, and Nintendo may not be ready to show it off. That may mean Nintendo are restricted to a remake or remaster (which isn’t neccessarily a bad thing).

There’s also the regional factor. Past anniversaries had incredible extras, but some were only available in certain countries. A global franchise deserves global celebrations, but history shows Nintendo sometimes limits events, freebies, or merchandise by region. Fans outside Japan or the U.S. may once again feel left out.

In short, while the 40th anniversary has the potential to be legendary, expectations need to be balanced with Nintendo’s track record. They can surprise us with something incredible — but they’ve also shown they’re just as comfortable keeping things simple.

Closing thoughts

Zelda’s 40th anniversary has the potential to be one of the most exciting milestones in gaming history — but whether Nintendo goes all out or keeps things modest, fans will be celebrating regardless. From concerts and remasters to books, collectibles, and maybe even a brand-new adventure, the possibilities are endless. But now I want to hear from you: what would you like to see for Zelda’s 40th anniversary? Do you think Nintendo will deliver a celebration worthy of the series, or will it be another quiet nod like the 35th? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below — and don’t forget to subscribe for more Zelda content as we count down to the big day.