Images of what appear to be a 40th anniversary Legend of Zelda-themed Switch 2 were shared online yesterday at ResetEra and later circulated across social media, and if it's real, it's an absolute beauty. Yet anyone now planning to hold off grabbing a Nintendo Switch 2 bundle in hopes of adding another Triforce-coated console to their setup is likely going to have to pay more.
From September 1 onwards, the Nintendo Switch 2 is rising from $449.99 to $499.99 in the US, though the official new UK price point has yet to be unveiled. Unless Nintendo decides to announce and roll out pre-orders over the next 20 days, it's going to be at least $50 higher than the basic standalone console. If you're a die-hard Zelda fan with cash to spare, that likely won't change your determination to grab one, but for anyone else, I recommend picking up the plain-Jane Nintendo machine now if your budget is anything but legendary.
looks like the Zelda 40th anniversary special edition console and controller have fully leakedfor anyone curious about the cryptic post I made in July"00840z::b,g,g"BEE-008 = SW2 Pro Controller model number40z = Zelda 40thb,g,g = black, gold, green https://t.co/iWmdRyOKWi pic.twitter.com/yWakcgtwjNAugust 11, 2026
Look, I get it. The leaked console looks pretty beautiful. The images of the flattened box, which were later re-posted by Nintendeal over at X (Twitter) today, depict not just a stunning Link tunic green console, but the best Switch 2 Joy-Con designs I've seen so far. I don't even have to imagine that'd be hard to ignore as a Zelda fan, as I'm someone who bought the Tears of the Kingdom OLED limited edition console despite there being absolutely nothing wrong with my original Switch. But I'd much sooner recommend that those who want a way to play the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake pick up the current system while it's still $449.99.
As this is still a leak, we don't even know for certain that it's an authentic Switch 2, nor do we know when it could be released if it were real. If you wait and it ends up not being a reality, you've squandered your chance to grab a cheaper console even more. There is a chance (though a very slim one) that Nintendo should surprise-drop a post of it with a pre-order link across its many social media channels over the next few days, meaning that it might stave off the incoming price markup, but I think that's a bit unrealistic.
Some X (Twitter) users like @NoRageQuit are re-sharing images of the leaked console packaging (and its matching Zelda Switch 2 Pro controller box) and stating that "Apparently it'll be coming out on November 12, 2026." That'd be long after the price increase would be in effect. Not to mention, as a limited-edition console, there's an extra hidden cost you've got to take into consideration.
Often Nintendo will inflate the cost of its special hardware as opposed to the usual iterations, and that was the case for the Tears of the Kingdom OLED Switch I mentioned earlier. While the original Switch OLED launched for $349.99, the Zelda-themed version was $359.99 when it hit US physical and online storefronts. With that in mind, you could be looking at $509.99 in total for the Switch 2, and that's likely without a game in tow.
Whereas, if you were to grab the Nintendo Switch 2 Choose Your Game Bundle now, you'd only be spending $499 at Amazon, and you'd have the choice of a download code for Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokemon Pokopia. On the lead-up to the September price increases, online discount sites like Woot even dropped that exact bundle down to just $449.99, and there's every chance that deal could return.
If you're a collector and just want a fancy-looking console, I'm not going to stop you. In the end, it's up to you what you do with your cash, and as someone with a Zelda shrine of their own, I'm finding it hard to ignore myself. Yet, it doesn't take possessing the Triforce of Wisdom to know that if you want to be savvy with your cash, you're going to save the most by investing in the console sooner rather than later.
- View all Nintendo Switch 2 bundles at Amazon
New to Switch 2? Check out the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases while you're here.
