Nintendo appears primed to release a new special edition Switch 2 console to celebrate 40 years of The Legend of Zelda. New leaks are showing what looks like a new system draped in green and gold.
The packaging for a new console has been leaked by prominent Brazilian journalist, ‘Necro’ Felipe Lima. Editor-in-Chief for Universo Nintendo, Lima says he has images of the new console and a fresh Switch 2 Pro Controller. The images seem to reveal a design covered with clever nods to the franchise’s storied history.
An unreleased logo celebrating The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary – marking the original release on NES back in 1986 in Japan – adorns the packaging. It shows off both the console in docked and handheld mode, as well as the themed Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller.
The right hand Joy-Con 2 is a grand-looking green, while the left hand controller seems to be largely grey with a Triforce logo in the bottom corner. The dock is covered from right to the middle in interlocking triangles, referencing the legendary relic that gives protagonists Zelda and Link and villain Ganondorf their power.
In the centre of the dock is a larger Triforce image, seemingly nodding to the three aspects of it that link the three characters – the Triforce of Courage, Power and Wisdom respectively. It then shifts to a standard looking grey with what appears to be a brown-coloured bottom.
Similarly, the right hand grip of the Pro Controller is green that gives way for a black and gold design with a trademark Zelda emblem in the middle. The left hand side of the controller appears to be a plain black that fades from the golden triangle decal.
Lima also points out a nod to the original Zelda game located on the back of the Pro Controller. Either side of the Switch 2 logo is a graphic of Link from the NES game and a sword he appears to have thrown.
Lima also anticipates a special Zelda anniversary segment in an upcoming Nintendo Direct. He predicts that the general September showcase will include plenty of Zelda content – possibly including a gameplay reveal, the unveiling of the special edition console and controller, and maybe even a trailer for the upcoming movie adaptation.
Ocarina of Time remake launch date ‘leaked’
Should this come to fruition, it would be a fitting way to celebrate the epic saga’s 40th anniversary. But the news has also led to another leak hinting at the Ocarina of Time remake’s hotly-anticipated release date.
Fans previously speculated that the remake would launch on November 12 ahead of the busy Christmas season – a traditionally busy time for the gaming industry. That was due to a number of Amiibos allegedly being planned for release on that date, but have now been delisted by Nintendo.
Nintendo lovers pointed out that Amiibos tend to be released on the same day as a game release, and the date makes a lot of sense. Leakers and insiders persist with the November 12 date, which would give it a week before Grand Theft Auto 6 launches and takes over the cultural conversation.
The timing is pretty good for Nintendo, even if the actual anniversary of The Legend of Zelda’s original NES launch date in February has long been and gone.
Launching a new edition of its sought-after latest console six weeks before Christmas alongside a remake of its greatest ever game could prove a masterstroke.