Images purporting to show a Legend of Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 and a matching Switch 2 Pro Controller have surfaced online, potentially giving Nintendo fans their first look at the company’s plans for the franchise’s 40th anniversary.
The alleged products were shared by Brazilian journalist and Universo Nintendo editor-in-chief Felipe “Necro” Lima. Nintendo has not confirmed either piece of hardware, but Lima claims the images match products he had previously been shown and has stated that both designs are legitimate. That makes this more substantial than a random fan mock-up, although it remains a leak until Nintendo says otherwise.
A Triforce-themed Switch 2 appears to be the centerpiece
The reported console packaging depicts a custom Switch 2 dock featuring a prominent Triforce design. The Joy-Con controllers also appear to carry matching Triforce motifs, creating a more traditional Zelda look than the character-specific styling Nintendo used for previous special-edition hardware.
The packaging reportedly carries a logo marking The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary. That distinction matters. While the timing naturally connects the system to the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the alleged branding suggests this is intended as a celebration of the wider series rather than a product tied exclusively to the N64 classic.
Nintendo has a long history of using Zelda-themed hardware to turn major releases and anniversaries into collector events. The gold-and-black Nintendo 3DS systems associated with Ocarina of Time 3D and A Link Between Worlds, along with the Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch, demonstrated how effectively the franchise’s visual language translates to hardware.
The Pro Controller leans into green, black, and retro Zelda imagery
The alleged Switch 2 Pro Controller appears to use a similar Triforce emblem, with green and black handles that give it a distinct identity from the standard controller. The color scheme recalls the series’ traditional association with Link while also echoing the contrasting grips used on some of Nintendo’s previous limited-edition Pro Controllers.
A separate image reportedly shows the rear of the controller with a small Link sprite based on the original NES The Legend of Zelda. That detail is particularly notable because it shifts the design away from being merely an Ocarina of Time accessory. A modern Triforce emblem paired with an 8-bit Link would frame the controller as a celebration of the franchise’s entire history.
It is also the sort of low-key detail that could make the controller appealing beyond people who are buying a complete special-edition console. If Nintendo sells the pad separately, it would likely attract existing Switch 2 owners who already have the system but still want a piece of the anniversary merchandise.
Why the timing points toward a larger Zelda presentation
The Legend of Zelda turns 40 in 2026, and Nintendo’s official Zelda website lists Ocarina of Time as returning for a new generation on Nintendo Switch 2 during the year. Nintendo has not yet revealed the remake’s launch date or provided a full gameplay showcase, leaving plenty of room for a dedicated announcement.
The wider Zelda brand also has a major film project in development. Nintendo officially announced its live-action adaptation in 2023, with Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad producing and Wes Ball directing. The film is currently scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 30, 2027.
That combination gives Nintendo several major Zelda beats to coordinate: the 40th-anniversary celebration, the Ocarina of Time remake, new hardware, and the first substantial marketing push for the movie. A dedicated Zelda presentation would be a logical venue for some or all of those announcements, but there is currently no confirmed Zelda Direct.
What the leak does—and does not—tell us
Even if the images are authentic, they reveal very little about Nintendo’s launch strategy. There is no confirmed price, release date, bundle configuration, stock allocation, or indication that the console would include the Ocarina of Time remake. The images also do not establish whether the alleged hardware would be sold worldwide or limited to select regions.
The design itself is believable, particularly because it relies on recognizable Zelda iconography rather than an unusually elaborate shell. Nintendo has often favored restrained special-edition hardware, using a custom dock, decorated controllers, and subtle markings instead of completely redesigning the console.
Lima’s previous reporting gives the leak additional interest. He accurately shared the Nintendo Switch 2 logo before its official reveal in January 2025, according to VGC. That history may make the new images worth watching, but it cannot replace confirmation from Nintendo.
For now, the most defensible conclusion is that Nintendo may be preparing an attractive Zelda anniversary hardware line at exactly the moment fans are waiting for more information about Ocarina of Time. The Triforce dock and retro Link detail would make the package instantly recognizable, while the separate Pro Controller could become the more attainable—and potentially more desirable—part of the celebration.
Until Nintendo announces the products, however, fans should treat the images as reported leaks rather than official hardware. The next major Zelda reveal could clarify everything, or leave these designs waiting in the rumor mill for a little longer.
Sources
videogameschronicle.com
nintendo.com
nintendoworldreport.com
