With pre-orders reaching their limits and commemorative consoles disappearing from retailers, a Nintendo executive has acknowledged that the response caught the company off guard.
The good news for fans who missed out? Nintendo is working to bring more stock to stores.
Nintendo Calls Zelda a “Global Phenomenon”
During an interview with Rodrigo Coelho at Brasil Game Show 2026, Bill van Zyll, Vice President and General Manager of Nintendo in Latin America, discussed the overwhelming demand surrounding the upcoming release.
Asked whether Nintendo had anticipated the shortages, van Zyll admitted the company hadn’t expected this level of interest.
“We underestimated how well it would be received,” he said, describing the situation as a “global phenomenon.”
According to van Zyll, the demand isn’t limited to Brazil. The United States has also seen an exceptionally strong response, with pre-orders reaching capacity and products selling out across multiple markets.
The executive apologized to customers who have been unable to secure their purchases, explaining that Nintendo expected a positive reception but was surprised by its scale.
For a series celebrating its 40th anniversary, it’s a remarkable position to be in. Zelda has enjoyed an enormous following for decades, but the excitement surrounding Ocarina of Time’s return is showing just how much enthusiasm remains for one of Nintendo’s most celebrated adventures.
More Zelda 40th Anniversary Consoles and Controllers Are Planned
The biggest question for collectors has been whether Nintendo intends to produce additional anniversary hardware or whether the initial pre-order allocations were their only opportunity.
Van Zyll confirmed that replenishments are being planned.
Those efforts include the special-edition Nintendo Switch 2 console, the matching Pro Controller, and software. However, Nintendo isn’t ready to provide a restock schedule or confirm how many additional units will become available.
That distinction matters. Nintendo has confirmed its intention to replenish supplies, but it hasn’t announced when individual retailers will receive more inventory or whether every region will receive additional allocations.
The hardware itself is a major part of the attraction.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition features a black-and-gold dock decorated with the Triforce, intricate Zelda-inspired patterns, and green-and-gold Joy-Con 2 controllers.
The matching Pro Controller carries its own commemorative artwork.
Both products launch on October 29, 2026, one week before the Ocarina of Time remake arrives on November 5.
In the United States, the anniversary console retails for $519.99, while the special Pro Controller costs $99.99. Nintendo also offers a version of the controller bundled with a Hyrule-themed display stand for $109.99.
One detail worth remembering: the anniversary console does not include the game. Anyone purchasing it specifically for Ocarina of Time will need to buy the remake separately.
Best Buy Is Offering Another Chance to Buy the Anniversary Hardware
American fans may have another opportunity to purchase the limited-stock hardware even before Nintendo announces a broader restock.
Best Buy has already confirmed special late-night openings for the November 5 release of Ocarina of Time. Participating stores will carry limited quantities of the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console and Pro Controller.
The event is scheduled around midnight Eastern Time on November 5, meaning stores in other U.S. time zones may begin selling the game on the evening of November 4.
There are no guarantees that every participating location will receive enough anniversary hardware to satisfy demand, and Best Buy has warned that quantities will be limited.
We’ve covered the event in detail, including the opening times, hardware prices, and information on finding a participating location:
For fans who missed the initial pre-orders, the launch event is worth checking before considering inflated resale listings.
Ocarina of Time’s Return Is Drawing a New Generation to Hyrule
Part of the excitement undoubtedly comes from Nintendo’s decision to revisit Ocarina of Time as a full remake rather than another straightforward rerelease.
The original Nintendo 64 adventure arrived in 1998 and helped establish the foundation for the 3D Zelda games that followed. Its dungeons, characters, music, and time-traveling story remain among the series’ most recognizable elements.
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version reimagines that adventure with rebuilt environments, modernized movement, a freely controlled camera, fully voiced cutscenes, and an orchestral soundtrack.
Nintendo has also introduced new features such as Threads of Time, designed to help players follow the adventure’s objectives.
You can find everything currently confirmed about the game in our Ocarina of Time remake guide.
The remake is also arriving at an unusually important moment for the franchise.
Nintendo’s 40th anniversary celebration extends beyond games and consoles, with concerts, collectibles, new merchandise, and a live-action Zelda movie scheduled for April 30, 2027.
For longtime fans, the new hardware and remake offer a chance to revisit the Hyrule they remember. For younger players, this could be their introduction to an adventure that helped define an entire generation of gaming.
It makes for an interesting combination, particularly when collectors are also competing for commemorative products that may not remain available indefinitely.
Of course, strong pre-order interest doesn’t tell us how many copies Ocarina of Time will ultimately sell. We’ll have to wait for Nintendo’s official figures to get a clearer picture of the remake’s commercial performance.
For now, the immediate concern is availability.
Nintendo has acknowledged the shortages and says additional inventory is being worked on. Until more concrete details emerge, fans looking for the anniversary console or controller should keep an eye on official retailers and avoid assuming that a sold-out pre-order listing means their last chance has passed.
Did you manage to pre-order the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2, or are you still searching for one?
