There is no question that the Zelda fanbase is a dedicated one. Many have been following Link’s adventures in Hyrule for decades — ever since The Legend of Zelda debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1987. But many consider Ocarina of Time, first released in the U.S. in 1998, to be the game that transformed The Legend of Zelda into a cultural phenomenon, marking the series’ first move into 3D territory.
Nintendo has been heavily promoting Zelda’s 40th anniversary, with everything from action figures to a limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2 and a remake of Ocarina of Time due out in November 2026. While there’s a lot for fans to be excited about, many still report empty shelves while trying to find 40th‑anniversary merchandise. Nintendo has finally addressed the unexpected demand for Zelda merchandise and outlined what its next steps will be.
Nintendo says demand for Zelda: Ocarina of Time products was unexpected
In an interview with YouTube channel Coelho no Japão, Nintendo acknowledged that it underestimated the demand for Zelda 40th-anniversary merchandise. Bill van Zyll, Nintendo’s vice president and general manager for Latin America, said the company “underestimated how well it would be received.” Speaking in more depth on the matter, van Zyll said:
“Well, if we expected it, we wouldn’t be in that situation, right? At least not to this extent. I will tell you that it’s a global phenomenon. We have this issue absolutely everywhere. I’d say we apologize for that. That certainly is not the intent. We underestimated how well it would be received. And there are certainly some markets that stand out. The United States did extremely well as well. It’s a global phenomenon where they’re running out of product. The pre-sales are hitting their max, and certainly that’s what happened to us in Brazil. We are working on replenishments of the special hardware and the software, but it’ll take a little bit of time.”
The preorder windows for the limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2 have sold out within seconds every time they go live, and the hardware has been selling for between $600 and $800 on eBay and other resale markets. But van Zyll asked fans to be patient as more products are planned. “I can’t tell you dates right now. We’re working on it. I can’t tell you quantities right now, again, all being worked on, but that is the plan that we have right now,” he told Coelho. That, van Zyll said, will include the limited-edition Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller, as well as the Nintendo Switch 2 carrying case and screen protector.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, is scheduled for release on Nov. 5, 2026. It is available to preorder for $59.99 on the Nintendo eShop.
