Key Takeaways
- Nintendo’s Latin America VP and GM Bill van Zyll confirmed restocks of the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console are coming after the system sold out almost immediately.
- Van Zyll admitted Nintendo “underestimated how well it would be received” — calling it a “global phenomenon.”
- No restock date or quantity has been confirmed yet. Fans are advised to hold off on scalper prices.
- The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console launches October 29 for $519.99 — it does not include a copy of Ocarina of Time.
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches exclusively on Switch 2 on November 5.
- Best Buy is hosting a midnight launch for Ocarina of Time on November 5, with some locations confirmed to have consoles in stock.
It’s not often that Nintendo publicly admits it got its own franchise’s demand wrong, but that’s exactly what’s happening right now with the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console. The special edition hardware sold out almost the moment it became available, scalpers immediately started flipping it for double or more, and now a Nintendo executive has stepped forward to confirm what everyone was hoping to hear — restocks are coming. Just don’t ask when.
Nintendo Admits It Underestimated the Demand
In an interview with Brazilian YouTube channel Coelho no Japão, Bill van Zyll — Nintendo’s Vice President and General Manager for Latin America — was candid about how the situation unfolded. His explanation for the sellout was disarmingly direct: “Well, if we expected it, we wouldn’t be in that situation, right?”
Van Zyll described The Legend of Zelda franchise as “a global phenomenon” and acknowledged that Nintendo had underestimated how well both the anniversary hardware and related products would be received at scale. The shortage, he made clear, isn’t just a US problem — it’s affecting multiple markets, and he specifically named the United States and Brazil as regions where demand has far exceeded supply.
The good news is that he confirmed Nintendo is “working on replenishments” for the console, the special Pro Controller, and related accessories. The less-good news is that van Zyll stopped short of giving any timeline, any restock quantities, or any retailer specifics. It’s a confirmation that more stock exists in Nintendo’s pipeline — not a launch window for when you’ll actually be able to buy one.
What the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Actually Is
For anyone who’s been watching this console sell out from the sidelines, here’s what the fuss is about. The Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 is priced at $519.99 — $20 more than the standard Switch 2 — and it does not come with a copy of Ocarina of Time, which is sold separately. What you get for that premium is the hardware itself dressed in Zelda’s signature aesthetic: a striking black and gold color scheme on the dock, the iconic Triforce logo displayed prominently on the front, and a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers in green, black, and gold — some of the most visually distinct Joy-Con 2s Nintendo has released to date. The matching Pro Controller and carrying case are available separately.
It’s the kind of special edition that doesn’t try to be subtle about what it is, and that’s exactly why it resonated so hard with collectors and Zelda fans willing to pay a premium to have hardware that matches the franchise they love.
Launch Day Timing: Console on October 29, Game on November 5
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console officially releases on October 29 — which means if you’re reading this and haven’t secured one, launch day is just days away. Nintendo has confirmed that additional pre-order stock opened at certain retailers, including Japanese retailer Rakuten Books reopening reservations on October 21. In the US, Nintendo’s own store page currently lists the console and Pro Controller as “coming soon” and out of stock in product data.
One week after the hardware drops, the game it was built around follows. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026. The remake is a ground-up rebuild of the N64 original announced during the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct in September — complete with vastly improved graphics, full voice acting, orchestral score, expanded dialogue, a mic-controlled ocarina mechanic, and a range of quality-of-life improvements that bring the 1998 classic into 2026 without compromising what made it the highest-rated video game of all time.
The timing is notable: Nintendo has planted Ocarina of Time squarely in the same November window as GTA 6, which launches November 19. The two games target entirely different audiences on entirely different hardware — Switch 2 doesn’t have GTA 6 — but it’s still a confident scheduling choice from Nintendo, betting that the Zelda faithful will show up regardless of what else is releasing that month.
Should You Wait for a Restock or Try Your Luck on Launch Day?
Van Zyll’s advice, in effect, is to wait. He confirmed restocks are coming and that fans who haven’t secured a pre-order should not cave to scalpers — Nintendo’s own store and retail partners will have more stock at MSRP at some point. The word “replenishments” suggests this is a supply ramp-up issue rather than a situation where Nintendo has decided to keep units artificially scarce.
That said, if you want to try for one before restocks land, October 29 is still an option. Best Buy has confirmed a midnight launch for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and some of their locations have also confirmed they will have consoles available in store on launch day. Stock will vary by location and isn’t guaranteed, but for fans willing to show up early, it may be the fastest path to getting one at retail price without waiting for an unknown restock window.
Either way, the clear message from Nintendo is: patience pays off here. The console is coming back in stock — just not on a timetable they’re ready to share yet.
Keep up with all the week’s gaming news on GamingProMax — including the Final Fantasy Resonance launch hitting 38,000 Steam players and the WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Season 6 lineup dropping October 28.
