Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Hardware Leaks Early

Leaked packaging appears to reveal a special Zelda Switch 2, Pro Controller, and redesigned dock.

Nintendo might have a Zelda surprise ready to go, but the internet may have beaten the company to the reveal. Images showing what appear to be packaging for a special Nintendo Switch 2 system and Pro Controller celebrating The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary have surfaced online. The products have not been officially announced yet, but the leaked boxes look convincing enough to get Zelda fans paying very close attention.

According to the sources, the images first started circulating through online communities after apparently coming from a Chinese forum. Some of the packaging reportedly appeared to be in a warehouse or production setting, with multiple boxes visible. That has naturally raised questions about whether Nintendo's anniversary hardware is already being prepared for release.

The Pro Controller is the first big piece of the leak, and it has a surprisingly nice design. Rather than going all-in on Ocarina of Time, the controller appears to celebrate The Legend of Zelda as a franchise. The packaging features the Zelda 40th anniversary logo, while the controller itself mixes dark gray or black with gold and green accents.

The green section around the handles initially stands out, but the design looks better when viewed from different angles. The darker color gradually fades into green, giving the controller a more interesting finish instead of making it look like two completely separate colors were thrown together.

There are also some smaller details that Zelda fans will probably appreciate.

A tiny 8-bit version of Link can reportedly be seen on the back, appearing to swing his sword across the Switch 2 branding. The controller also features gold accents and a large Zelda-inspired crest, giving the whole thing a more premium appearance. But the controller may not be the biggest attraction.

The leaked Switch 2 system appears to feature matching Zelda-themed Joy-Con controllers and a special dock. And honestly, the dock might be the part that catches the most attention. It reportedly features a large Triforce design in the center, with gold and gray sections arranged diagonally across the dock. It is a much more subtle design than simply covering the hardware in artwork, which could make it particularly appealing to collectors.

So, when could Nintendo officially reveal all of this? That is where things get interesting. The Legend of Zelda is approaching its 40th anniversary, and Nintendo is expected to celebrate the occasion in a fairly big way. Ocarina of Time is rumored to be part of those plans, although this particular hardware does not appear to be specifically themed around the classic game.

A dedicated Zelda presentation could happen later this year, potentially alongside announcements for Ocarina of Time and other anniversary projects. A broader Nintendo Direct could also include the hardware reveal. And Nintendo has plenty of possibilities beyond a new console design. The business might reveal more Zelda content for Nintendo Switch Online, new goods, special collaborations, or something really out of left field.

A Zelda-based multiplayer experience or dungeon generator would definitely make the anniversary celebration more memorable.

There is still one big reason to keep expectations low. The leaked images appear to show packaging rather than the actual console or controller. While the materials look legitimate, packaging can be recreated much more easily than functioning hardware. For now, Nintendo has not confirmed the special Switch 2 or Pro Controller.

But if these leaks are genuine, Zelda's 40th anniversary celebration could be getting a lot more interesting. The real question is, how many more Zelda surprises can stay under wraps before the official reveal? Nintendo seems to be plotting something behind the scenes.