Zelda’s Wilds Era Is Officially Ending, but the Series Is Not

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October 24, 2026

The “end of an era” headlines refer to the Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom era. Nintendo’s anniversary slate runs into 2027.

If you have seen a headline claiming that The Legend of Zelda is officially ending, it is worth reading the fine print. The reports refer to the Wilds era, not the series. Screen Rant has published several pieces describing the era that began with Breath of the Wild and includes Tears of the Kingdom as coming to a close, including one headlined “Zelda Officially Confirms End Of An Era With New 2026 Release.”

Zelda's Wilds Era Is Officially Ending, but the Series Is Not
Image: Nintendo

What “the Wilds Era” Actually Means

Fans and journalists use the phrase as shorthand for the open-world direction the franchise took when Breath of the Wild launched alongside the original Switch in 2017. Tears of the Kingdom followed in 2023 and built on the same world and mechanics. Together, the two games reshaped how many players think of the series, which makes any talk of an ending feel dramatic. Yet an era is a creative stretch, not the end of a franchise that has been running for four decades.

An October 8 Screen Rant article, carried by OpenCritic, says Nintendo “still ha[s] one final release up its sleeve” for the Wilds era and notes that the company has recently focused on remaking classic Zelda titles. The excerpt does not name the release, so readers should treat the claim as the outlet’s own framing rather than a Nintendo announcement.

Nintendo’s Own Calendar

Nintendo’s 40th anniversary site lists the next releases and events. The page makes no statement about an era ending and describes the anniversary as marking 40 years since the first game released in Japan. The key dates are:

A Classic Returns in New Form

The headline release of the group is the Switch 2 version of Ocarina of Time, which first appeared on the Nintendo 64 in 1998 and is often ranked among the greatest games ever made. Nintendo has shown first gameplay with updated visuals and modern controls, and it will support the company’s Zelda Notes companion feature in the Nintendo Switch app. The game is described as exclusive to Switch 2, with both physical and digital versions available.

The anniversary plans reach beyond games. Reports on the announcement mention a collectible LEGO set based on Link and Epona, due in spring 2027, along with new amiibo figures of young Link and young Zelda that year. Together, these items show how Nintendo has turned the anniversary into a year-long celebration instead of a single event.

Why Remakes Make Sense Right Now

The timing is easy to understand. The Switch 2 arrived in 2025, and a console in its first years benefits from familiar, high-profile titles that show off its hardware. Remaking a beloved game is also a lower-risk way to keep a series visible while a studio works on its next original project, which in Zelda’s case can take years. Nintendo has also announced a playable electric ocarina tied to the anniversary, though details on it have not been given, a reminder that the company sees the instrument at the center of the 1998 game as part of the brand.

From Hyrule to the Multiplex

The live-action film is the largest non-game piece of the plan. Nintendo has confirmed that it is titled simply The Legend of Zelda and will open in theaters worldwide on April 30, 2027. It is a collaboration between Nintendo, Arad Productions and Sony Pictures, and reports name Wes Ball, known for the Maze Runner series, as director. Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto has said the reason for the plain title will become clear when audiences see the film.

The project follows the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and it fits a larger trend explored in our report on the year’s game adaptations. Related reading: 2026 Video Game Movies: Release Dates for Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat II and More.

Forty Years of Hyrule

The anniversary itself dates back to the first Legend of Zelda game, released in Japan in 1986. Over the decades the series has moved from top-down adventures to three-dimensional worlds and then to the open-air design of the Wilds era, and each shift has prompted debate about what a Zelda game should be. The current mix of remakes, merchandise and a feature film suggests Nintendo is using the milestone to celebrate that history, while leaving the question of the next new entry open.

So Is Anything Actually Ending?

In short, no. The headlines describe a shift in focus, from the open-world games of the past decade to remakes of earlier titles, and the company’s announced slate points toward a busy period for the franchise rather than a stop. The idea of an era closing is a useful way to talk about changing priorities, but it should not be mistaken for a retirement. For players, the practical meaning is simple: new Zelda products are arriving through 2027, and the series remains one of Nintendo’s most important properties.

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