‘Zelda’ 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Consoles Sell Out Everywhere, With One Exception
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console proved almost impossible to pre-order, with Nintendo, Amazon, Target and Best Buy all showing no stock, while Walmart separately sold out of the physical Ocarina of Time game that ties into the anniversary launch. The shortages matter because they land just as Nintendo heads into the crucial holiday shopping season, pushing frustrated buyers towards resale platforms and third-party sellers where prices run well above the recommended retail price, and creating opportunities for scammers to exploit desperate shoppers.
The special-edition console costs $519.99, $20 more than the standard Switch 2, and is due to launch on 29 October 2026. With official retailers unable to keep it in stock, eBay emerged as the most consistent place to find one, though most listings there sat around $850, more than $300 above list price, and scalper bots were already primed to snap up any fresh stock the moment it appeared. Buyers were advised to check third-party sellers' ratings carefully and confirm listings actually included the console itself, as some scammers were reportedly selling empty boxes.
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In short
- Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console sold out at all major retailers
- eBay listings run around $850, over $300 above the $519.99 RRP
- Walmart also sold out of the tied-in Ocarina of Time game
How this story developed
- 1 month ago The pre-order chaos surrounding the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 has deepened, with a new report confirming the special-edition console is unavailable not just at Nintendo, Amazon, Target and Best Buy, but that Walmart has now also sold out of the accompanying physical Ocarina of Time game.
- 1 month ago The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console proved almost impossible to pre-order, with Nintendo, Amazon, Target and Best Buy all showing no stock, while Walmart separately sold out of the physical Ocarina of Time game that ties into the anniversary launch.
- 1 month ago Updated coverage on the Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 pre-order chaos confirms that the special-edition console remains out of stock at Nintendo, Amazon, Target and Best Buy, while a companion foil-cover variant is proving similarly hard to secure.
- 2 months ago Nintendo's special-edition Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console has sold out at nearly every major retailer ahead of its 29 October 2026 release, with eBay resellers the only reliable source — at vastly inflated prices.
- Nintendo Life Zelda's Limited-Edition Switch 2 And Other 40th Anniversary Items Are Already Selling Out, Unsurprisingly
- IGN The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Console and Accessories Sold Out in Minutes
- Polygon ‘Zelda’ 40th Anniversary Switch 2 Consoles Sell Out Everywhere, With One Exception
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The shortage of the special-edition Zelda console during the crucial holiday season represents a significant failure in supply chain management. Nintendo, as a major corporation capable of forecasting demand for a milestone anniversary product, should have anticipated this peak period and secured adequate stock. The resulting conditions actively harm consumers through inflated resale prices—$850 versus $519.99 retail—widespread scam opportunities, and frustration that diverts buyers away from official channels during the industry's most important sales period.
The case against
Limited-edition collector's products inherently have constrained supply, and Nintendo can only manufacture a finite quantity of units regardless of demand levels. The vigorous resale market at premium prices actually demonstrates the exceptional success and desirability of the product, whilst consumers retain clear alternatives including standard Switch 2 consoles and the ability to purchase through official channels if stock becomes available. Secondary market risks are inherent to those platforms and represent informed consumer choices rather than evidence of corporate failure.
Explained simply
The Legend of Zelda franchise is turning 40, and Nintendo has marked the occasion with a special-edition version of its new Switch 2 console. It carries Zelda-themed styling, costs slightly more than the standard model, and is being released to coincide with a new game, a remake of the classic title Ocarina of Time.
Demand for the anniversary console has far outstripped supply. Major retailers that normally sell Nintendo hardware, including Nintendo's own store, Amazon, Target and Best Buy, have been unable to keep it in stock, leaving would-be buyers with few official options.
This matters because it reflects a familiar pattern with sought-after gaming hardware: when official stock runs out, resale marketplaces such as eBay often become the main alternative, typically at inflated prices, and can attract opportunistic or fraudulent sellers looking to exploit frustrated buyers.