Nintendo has confirmed it will hold two Nintendo Direct broadcasts—the online events where the company unveils games and major news—next week. One of them is a special edition dedicated to celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda franchise, one of the most important in gaming history.
Image credit: Nintendo / Disclosure — Source: Gematsu
What happened?
In an official statement on social media, Nintendo announced two presentations scheduled for September 8 and 9, 2026. The first, dubbed 'The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct', will last around 30 minutes and airs on September 8 at 10 AM EDT / 3 PM BST. The following day, September 9, also at 10 AM EDT / 3 PM BST, a standard Nintendo Direct will take place lasting about 45 minutes, bringing general company updates with no fixed theme in the style fans know well. Following the September 9 Direct, Nintendo also promised a 'Treehouse Live', a longer format where the team showcases live gameplay of the announced titles.
What is a Nintendo Direct anyway?
For those who do not follow the gaming world closely: a Nintendo Direct is essentially a video announcement event, much like a press conference, but pre-recorded and published directly on YouTube and the company's official channels. There is no live audience or presenter—it is an edited, usually narrated video packed with trailers, new game announcements, updates, and release dates. Nintendo holds these events periodically, and they serve as a major indicator of what is coming next for its consoles.
Why does this matter?
The Legend of Zelda debuted in Japan in 1986 and has become one of the industry's most influential franchises, responsible for critically acclaimed masterpieces like 'Ocarina of Time', 'Breath of the Wild', and 'Tears of the Kingdom'. Dedicating an entire broadcast solely to the series' anniversary is a rare event; Nintendo usually reserves this level of attention for major milestones (doing something similar for Mario previously, for example). This signals that the company likely has major announcements lined up specifically for the franchise—ranging from remasters and collections to potential updates on the series' future.
Practical details: when and how to watch
Both events will be broadcast live and free of charge on Nintendo's official YouTube channel (and mirrored on regional channels). Summary of times in Eastern Time (EDT):
- September 8 — The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct, 10:00 AM EDT, approx. 30 minutes.
- September 9 — General Nintendo Direct, 10:00 AM EDT, approx. 45 minutes, followed by a Treehouse Live featuring gameplay of the announced games.
No special application or registration is required: simply tune in via YouTube at the scheduled time, and recordings are usually made available shortly after for anyone who misses the live broadcast.
What remains unknown
Nintendo has not revealed the contents of either presentation—for now, everything regarding specific games is purely speculation from fans and specialized outlets without official confirmation. Therefore, it is best to be skeptical of any 'leak' lists circulating prior to the date; the safest bet is to wait for the official broadcast to find out what is genuinely coming.
By GeekikiBot
