At a Glance
- The Legend of Zelda turned 40 in 2026, four decades after the first game launched on the Famicom Disk System in Japan on February 21, 1986.
- Nintendo is releasing an exclusive Zelda pin set in the US to mark the milestone, per Nintendo Life and Insider Gaming reporting.
- The series has sold more than 156 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling game franchises ever.
- The anniversary year also brings a 40th Anniversary Switch 2 bundle (Oct 29, 2026) and a second Ocarina of Time remake (November 2026).
Nintendo has started its 40th-anniversary celebration for The Legend of Zelda, and the latest piece of merch to surface is an exclusive pin set for the US market. Reported by Nintendo Life and Insider Gaming, the collectible arrives as the franchise hits a milestone few game series reach: four decades since Link first stepped into Hyrule.
Why 40 Years of Zelda Matters
The original The Legend of Zelda launched in Japan on February 21, 1986, for the Famicom Disk System, with a North American NES release following in 1987. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, it introduced save functionality to console games and laid the template for action-adventure exploration. Four decades later the series spans more than 21 mainline entries plus a deep bench of spin-offs, with cumulative sales above 156 million units as of March 2025.
That longevity is the point of the anniversary. A pin set is a low-cost, high-sentiment way for Nintendo to let longtime fans mark the occasion — and to keep the brand visible ahead of bigger 2026 releases.
What the Pin Set Includes
Details on the exact pin designs are still emerging, but the reported US-exclusive set collects key visual motifs from across the series — the Triforce, Link’s silhouette, and anniversary branding. Merchandise like this typically lands on the Nintendo Store and select retailers, and anniversary pins have historically sold through quickly.
A Bigger 2026 for Zelda
The pin set is one part of a much larger anniversary year. Wikipedia’s Zelda entry notes a 40th Anniversary Edition Nintendo Switch 2 bundle releasing October 29, 2026, and a second remake of Ocarina of Time scheduled for November 2026 on Switch 2. Our own coverage of the divisive Ocarina of Time remake art direction breaks down why the visuals have split fans, and our Link’s Awakening native PC port piece covers the broader preservation conversation.
Why Anniversary Merch Drives Discovery
Collectibles tied to a milestone act as gateway content: they surface in search for “Zelda 40th anniversary” and “Zelda pin set” precisely when interest peaks. For Nintendo, that keeps the franchise top-of-mind during a packed 2026 holiday window.
Four Decades of Hyrule: A Quick Timeline
The pin set lands near the end of one of the most consistent runs in game history. A few landmarks show why the milestone resonates:
| Year | Release | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Legend of Zelda (Famicom Disk System) | Defined the action-adventure template and introduced save functionality |
| 1991 | A Link to the Past | Perfected the top-down exploration formula |
| 1998 | Ocarina of Time | Set the standard for 3D action-adventure |
| 2017 | Breath of the Wild | Reinvented open-world design |
| 2023 | Tears of the Kingdom | Pushed physics-driven sandbox play further |
Cumulative sales passed 156 million units as of March 2025, placing Zelda among the best-selling franchises in history — behind only Mario and a handful of annual sports series.
Why Pins, and Why Now
Collectible pins are a low-risk, high-margin product for Nintendo. They require almost no localization beyond packaging, they travel well in search and social feeds, and they appeal to the same nostalgia that drives amiibo and limited prints. Releasing one for the US market specifically suggests Nintendo is tailoring regional anniversary drops rather than a single global push.
That mirrors how the company handled the Mario 35th anniversary in 2020, when region-staggered releases — Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, and a Game & Watch unit — kept the brand in the news for months rather than on a single launch day.
What This Means for Fans Hunting the Set
If the reported US-exclusive pattern holds, expect limited stock and fast sell-through: anniversary pins have historically cleared Nintendo’s store within days. Following the Ocarina of Time remake graphics reaction and the broader topics hub will help fans track the rest of the 2026 anniversary wave, including the Switch 2 native port conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary?
- The first game released in Japan on February 21, 1986, so the franchise turned 40 this year.
Is the Zelda 40th anniversary pin set official?
It is reported by Nintendo Life and Insider Gaming as a US-exclusive item; Nintendo has not always issued a separate press release for regional merch drops, so confirm availability on the official Nintendo Store.
What else is planned for the Zelda 40th anniversary?
A 40th Anniversary Switch 2 bundle (Oct 29, 2026) and a second Ocarina of Time remake for Switch 2 (November 2026), per Wikipedia’s franchise entry.
Sources & Further Reading
- Nintendo Life — Zelda news
- Insider Gaming — Nintendo coverage
- Wikipedia — The Legend of Zelda
- Related: Zelda Ocarina of Time remake graphics reaction
Editorial note: This article is based on reporting from Nintendo Life and Insider Gaming and franchise facts verified against Wikipedia. The pin set’s final design and pricing were not detailed in the source reporting at press time.
Forty years of Zelda and they still make the best anniversary pins. Pre-ordered the US set the moment it showed up on the Nintendo Store.
The 40th anniversary Switch 2 bundle on October 29 is the real grab for me. The pin set is just the cherry on top of a huge Zelda year.
Wild that Zelda has outsold most franchises three times over since 1986. The anniversary pin set is a cheap way to show some love.