One of the most wanted gaming accessories of the season is a controller: the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition. Nintendo’s US store lists it at $99.99 with a release date of October 29, 2026, and pre-orders are open at the Nintendo Store and major US retailers.

What it is

This is the regular Switch 2 Pro Controller in a special finish made for the series’ 40th anniversary. According to The Shortcut, it follows a gold and royal emerald colour scheme and has an 8-Bit Link on the back. Siliconera describes a green right grip, a black left grip, a gold Triforce pattern on the face and gold triggers.

Under the paint it is the same hardware as the standard model, which Nintendo lists with:

  • HD Rumble 2 and motion controls
  • Built-in amiibo functionality and a Capture Button
  • A C Button that opens the GameChat menu
  • GL/GR buttons you can map to any button
  • An audio jack for headphones and headsets (4 pole stereo 3.5mm)
  • A USB-C charging cable in the box

Nintendo says the Pro Controller works only with the Nintendo Switch 2 system. A version bundled with a display stand is a Nintendo Store exclusive.

Timing does most of the work. The controller launches on October 29, the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2 The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition console, and one week before The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time arrives on Switch 2 on November 5. Nintendo revealed all of it in its 40th Anniversary Direct, along with a themed carrying case and screen protector.

Demand showed up early. The Shortcut reported that the limited edition hardware was being snapped up fast once pre-orders went live, and that some stores may restock later. For fans who already own a Switch 2, the controller is the cheapest way to own a piece of the anniversary hardware: the themed console costs $519.99, against the new standard price of $499.99, according to The Shortcut.

How it compares

The obvious alternative is the standard Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which Nintendo sells for $89.99. That is $10 less for identical buttons, rumble and battery features. You are paying the extra for the design and for a limited edition that may be harder to find later.

Who should buy it

Buy it if you play on a TV and want a full size controller for Ocarina of Time and other Switch 2 games, or if you collect Zelda gear and want a piece that matches the anniversary console. Skip it if you mostly play in handheld mode, since the Joy-Con 2 already cover that, or if the design does not matter to you: the standard Pro Controller does the same job for less. Prices above are US prices from Nintendo and The Shortcut; the sources do not list prices for other markets.