Big News One Big: Nintendo Goes All In On Ocarina Of Time
Nintendo just held its Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, and the focus stayed narrow. The Ocarina of Time remake absorbed almost every minute of the show. That choice thrilled longtime fans of the N64 classic, but it left another obvious gap unaddressed. This story follows Big News One Big.
According to Eurogamer, this was only the first of two Directs planned for the anniversary week. Nintendo clearly wanted to build anticipation before showing its full hand.
The Wind Waker HD Question Nobody Answered
Here is the thing, though. Fans wanted a broader Zelda 40th Anniversary celebration, not a single-game showcase.
As GameSpot points out, Wind Waker HD never made the jump to Switch. That 2013 Wii U remaster still sits in limbo nearly 13 years later.
Nintendo has steadily rebuilt its Zelda back catalog on Switch and Switch 2. Skyward Sword HD, Link’s Awakening, and the Oracle games all found new homes. Wind Waker HD remains the obvious hole in that lineup.
Its cel-shaded art style would look stunning on Switch 2 hardware. That makes its absence from this Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct sting even more.
New Switch 2 Hardware Steals The Show
Nintendo did deliver on the collectibles front. Kotaku reports that a Zelda-themed Switch 2 console arrives alongside gorgeous new Joy-Con controllers.
Importantly, the Ocarina of Time remake sells separately from this hardware bundle. That detail matters for anyone budgeting around a single purchase decision.
Nintendo continues a pattern here. Special edition hardware tends to move fast once collectors catch wind of limited runs. Anyone eyeing a Zelda-themed Switch 2 console (paid link) should watch official channels closely once preorders open.
Lego Joins The Celebration
IGN confirmed a new collectible arrives alongside the gaming news. Nintendo revealed an Ocarina of Time-themed Lego Link and Epona set for the Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary.
This marks Nintendo’s continued push into physical merchandise tied to its biggest franchises. Lego sets built around Mario already sell well among adult collectors. A Zelda-themed Lego video game building set (paid link) set fits that same strategy perfectly.
Building sets like this appeal to a different audience than the games themselves. Parents, collectors, and nostalgic adults often buy these sets without owning a Switch at all.
Why The Remaster Gap Still Matters
Let us talk about what actually matters here for players. Nintendo has real incentive to keep older Zelda titles on modern hardware.
Ocarina of Time already anchors this Zelda 40th Anniversary push. Wind Waker, Twilight Princess HD, and even the original NES Zelda titles could round out a stronger anniversary lineup.
Instead, Nintendo chose depth over breadth for this particular Direct. That approach works if the second Direct fills remaining gaps.
However, fans have heard promises like this before. Wind Waker HD rumors circulate almost every year without resolution.
Big News One Big: What The Second Direct Could Bring
Nintendo confirmed a follow-up show later this same week. That timing suggests the company deliberately split its anniversary announcements.
Expect this second Direct to cover merchandise, mobile spinoffs, or smaller collaborations. Nintendo often saves niche announcements for secondary showcases like this.
Realistically, a Wind Waker HD port could still surface there. Nintendo rarely confirms remasters far in advance, preferring surprise reveals instead.
Big News One Big: The Bottom Line
This Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct delivered real excitement around Ocarina of Time. The remake, new hardware, and Lego set all generated genuine buzz.
Still, the missing Wind Waker HD port leaves an obvious hole. Nintendo had a chance to close its remaster gap and skipped it.
My takeaway: celebrate what arrived, but stay realistic about what got left out.
- Ocarina of Time remake headlines the anniversary, sold as a standalone release
- New Zelda-themed Switch 2 hardware and Joy-Cons debut alongside it
- A Lego Link and Epona set expands Nintendo’s collectible lineup
- Wind Waker HD remains absent from Switch despite years of fan demand
- A second Direct later this week may still address the gap
Nintendo clearly knows how to build hype around a single flagship remake. Whether it follows through on the rest of its back catalog remains the real question.
As an Amazon Associate, TechMogo earns from qualifying purchases.
