14 Predictions For The September 2026 Nintendo Direct And Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct
IGN's Logan Plant has shared 14 predictions for Nintendo's upcoming back-to-back presentations scheduled for September 8 and 9, 2026. The first broadcast will celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda, while the second will serve as a general showcase for the Nintendo Switch 2.
The upcoming Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on September 8 is expected to focus heavily on the highly anticipated remake of Ocarina of Time. Plant predicts that Nintendo will share a full reveal trailer and announce a release date of November 12, 2026. This date avoids major competitors like Grand Theft Auto VI and aligns with a previously leaked Kirby amiibo listing from the UK Nintendo store.
Alongside the Ocarina of Time reveal, Plant anticipates the announcement of new tie-in amiibo figures featuring Young Link and Adult Link. Additionally, he expects Nintendo to officially unveil the rumored Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 console and Pro Controller, which leaked online a few weeks ago as part of the franchise's 40th-anniversary celebrations.
The Zelda broadcast could also feature the first substantial footage or casting news for the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda film, which is scheduled to hit theaters in April 2027. Plant suggests that Shigeru Miyamoto will make an appearance to share these updates, following the pattern established during the promotion of the Mario movie.
Other predictions for the Zelda-focused event include the introduction of a "Zelda Challenge" modeled after the recent DK Challenge, which would offer time-limited gameplay objectives. Plant also forecasts that the GameCube version of Twilight Princess will be shadowdropped on Nintendo Switch Online, accompanied by the addition of its soundtrack to the Nintendo Music application.
To round out the 30-minute Zelda presentation, Plant predicts the return of multiplayer Zelda. This could manifest as a battle royale game in the vein of Tetris 99, or as Nintendo Switch Online ports of classic multiplayer titles like Four Swords or Four Swords Adventures. However, he does not expect a major reveal for the next mainline, open-world Zelda game.
The general Nintendo Direct on September 9 is predicted to highlight upcoming Switch 2 titles. Plant expects final trailers for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, alongside updates on Pokémon Pokopia DLC and Monolith Soft's Xenoblade Genesis. He does not expect to see Pokémon Winds & Waves, which he believes will be held for a February 2027 showcase.
For third-party titles, Plant predicts that FromSoftware's The Duskbloods will receive a firm release date of December 3, 2026. He also anticipates the official announcement of "Metroid Ravenous," a rumored 2D Metroid game from developer MercurySteam that recently leaked via a Brazilian age rating submission.
Finally, Plant believes the back-to-back scheduling of these Directs points to a massive concluding announcement on September 9. He predicts that Nintendo will close the general showcase with a teaser for either a new 3D Super Mario game or an enhanced port of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tailored for the Nintendo Switch 2, aiming to drive console sales ahead of the holiday season.
Source: IGN — original reporting
Updated