Nintendo’s special The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Nintendo Switch 2 is already proving difficult to find, with pre-orders selling out across several retailers shortly after becoming available.
For Zelda collectors, the situation is becoming familiar. Limited-edition Nintendo hardware tends to attract enormous demand, and the Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 appears to be no exception.
Zelda Switch 2 Pre-Orders Disappear Quickly
Pre-orders for the Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2 have already disappeared from several stores. Dutch retailers including Bol, Nedgame, Intertoys, AllyourGames and Nintendo’s own store have reportedly shown the console as unavailable or sold out.
That is particularly notable because the console does not launch until October 29, 2026.
Players therefore still have more than a month to wait before release, yet securing a console at its normal retail price is already becoming difficult.
The situation could change before launch. Retailers sometimes receive additional allocations, while cancelled pre-orders can also temporarily return stock to stores.
However, anyone hoping to buy the Zelda console should probably expect those opportunities to disappear quickly.
Scalpers Are Already Moving In
Unsurprisingly, the shortage has also attracted scalpers.
Listings for the limited-edition console have started appearing at inflated prices, attempting to capitalize on fans who missed the initial pre-order window.
That does not necessarily mean Zelda fans should immediately pay those prices.
There is still time before launch, and additional stock could become available. Nintendo could also distribute another allocation closer to October 29.
Waiting for legitimate stock is therefore likely the better option than immediately paying significantly above retail price.
Ocarina of Time Is Still Available
The shortage currently appears to be much more severe for the 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console than for the games accompanying Zelda’s anniversary celebrations.
The physical Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time can still be found for pre-order at several retailers, with a listed price of €69.99 in the Netherlands.
That means players interested primarily in the game rather than the collectible hardware still have options.
Zelda Collectors Face Another Stock Hunt
Nintendo has produced plenty of collectible Zelda hardware over the years, and limited-edition systems frequently become desirable long after their original release.
The Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 has an additional advantage: it celebrates one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises during a major anniversary year while also being tied to the company’s newest console generation.
That combination was always going to create substantial demand.
The speed at which pre-orders have disappeared nevertheless shows just how many people were waiting for it.
Don’t Feed the Scalpers Yet
Missing the first wave of pre-orders is frustrating, but the console has not actually launched yet.
More stock could appear through retailer cancellations, additional Nintendo allocations or smaller stores receiving their inventory later than the major retailers.
For now, Zelda fans looking for the 40th Anniversary Switch 2 would be better off watching legitimate retailers rather than immediately paying inflated resale prices.
October 29 is still several weeks away.
The real battle for Hyrule may have already started — and this time, the final boss is the Add to Cart button.
