Zelda Switch 2 40th Anniversary Edition launches Oct. 29, but it's sold out almost everywhere

Nintendo’s special-edition console for The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary officially went on sale Thursday, Oct. 29, but anyone hoping to simply walk in and buy one is likely out of luck. The Nintendo Switch 2 – The Legend of Zelda – 40th Anniversary Edition is listed at $519.99 on Nintendo’s U.S. store, where it showed as sold out on launch morning, and Tom’s Guide reported no stock at the major retailers it was tracking early in the day.

What is the Zelda Switch 2 edition?

It is a standard Nintendo Switch 2 dressed up for the series’ anniversary. According to Nintendo, the bundle includes:

• A Switch 2 system with Zelda-inspired patterns on the back
• Joy-Con 2 controllers in the series’ classic green and gold
• A black-and-gold Switch 2 dock with a golden Triforce symbol
• A Joy-Con 2 grip, two straps, AC adapter, USB-C charging cable and an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable

Under the paint, it is the same hardware: a 7.9-inch 1080p screen, up to 4K output in supported games when docked, 256GB of internal storage and GameChat support, per Nintendo’s product page.

Does it come with a game? No. Nintendo says plainly that the game is not included.

Nintendo also released two themed accessories on the same day, according to its Sept. 8 announcement: a Zelda-edition Switch 2 Pro Controller and a carrying case with screen protector. Tom’s Guide notes that a version of the Pro Controller bundled with a display stand is sold through Nintendo’s own store.

Why it’s so hard to find

The console went up for pre-order in early September, and Tom’s Guide reported that available stock was snapped up within minutes at several retailers, with Best Buy selling out in a few hours. Launch-day interest is also tied to the bigger anniversary push: a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 is due Nov. 5, 2026, one week after the console.

Restock dates: Target, Walmart and others

Here is what has been reported so far on launch day:

• Target confirmed it will restock the Zelda Switch 2 in stores on Nov. 5 and online on Nov. 6, according to Tom’s Guide, which suggests no Target stock on launch day.
• Walmart has not confirmed launch-day stock. Tom’s Guide pointed to an unconfirmed Reddit post citing an internal document that said Walmart’s restock would not come until at least Nov. 6. Treat that as a rumor until Walmart says otherwise.
• Walmart’s marketplace listed the console through a third-party seller at a markup of almost $200 over list price, Tom’s Guide reported.
• Nintendo’s store has restocked a couple of times in recent weeks, per Tom’s Guide, and its product page says more inventory is on the way and lets shoppers add the item to a wish list for a back-in-stock alert.
• Amazon, Best Buy and GameStop had no confirmed restocks as of Thursday morning.

Tips if you’re trying to buy one

Should I pay a reseller? Retailer listings from third-party sellers can carry steep markups. With Target already promising stock next week, waiting may cost less than buying from a reseller today.

What time do restocks usually drop? Tom’s Guide said U.S. retailers typically restock in mid-morning, most commonly between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., though that is a pattern rather than a guarantee.

Is this the same price everywhere? Nintendo lists the U.S. price at $519.99. In Japan, Nintendo set the price at 62,980 yen including tax, and the Japanese version is a Japanese-language system only.

The bottom line

The Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition is out, but supply is the story. Unless a retailer surprises shoppers with launch-day stock, the most concrete next chance is Target’s restock on Nov. 5 in stores and Nov. 6 online, landing right around the Ocarina of Time remake’s release.