The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Hyrule Is A Stunning New 40th Anniversary Release

1 hour ago 6

Published May 8, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT

James is a gaming writer from London who has spent thousands of hours exploring titles from every genre. Though he has a particular affinity for multiplayer titles like World of Warcraft, Destiny 2 and League of Legends, he has also put thousands of hours into single-player experiences, from deep RPGs to epic PC strategies. When he's not playing or writing, he can usually be found supporting his beloved Brentford FC.

The Legend of Zelda is celebrating a big birthday as a franchise this year, with 40 years since it debuted on the Famicom all the way back in 1986. It's safe to say that it has come a long way since then, becoming one of the most iconic video game franchises in history with millions of fans the world over.

Those fans are expecting some pretty major things this year as part of the celebrations, with rumors swirling about an Ocarina of Time remake and a new 2D game (potentially headed by Ganondorf?!), as well as more information on the movie. Now, another official release has just been confirmed, and it really is a sight to behold.

Over on Twitter/X, Game Press shared a post confirming their new project Echoes of Hyrule, a new book that lets players relieve the epic adventure that was Ocarina of Time. It comes complete with a ton of custom illustrations and unique features, and it really does look like a must-buy if you're a fan of the game or series.

The premise of the book is actually really interesting, with the blurb on the website describing it as follows:

"Everyone knows the story of the Hero of Time who saved the Kingdom of Hyrule from falling into darkness forever. But, beyond the hero, the princess, and the villain, there are other characters whose decisions were key to forging this legend. Echoes of Hyrule narrates, in the form of stories, various events of the video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time , ordered chronologically, starting even before the beginning of the game and going beyond the lands of Hyrule.

"Here, the protagonists are the characters whose stories have never been told, yet who were always there; those who accompany and even help the Hero of Time and, in turn, enrich the world with their own narratives."

It's a genuine departure from the usual focus on Link and Zelda, and it should go a long way to fleshing out the wider world of the game, and the lives of those within it. There is a marginally more expensive Time Hero version of the release that comes with an Ocarina Manual, Character Map, two sheets, two exclusive bookmarks, GP Card (foil) from Ocarina of Time, and a numbered certificate.

The store selling it is based in Barcelona, so you'll need to make sure it can be shipped to your area, with the Deluxe Edition (which in this case appears standard) costing €25.95, while the Time Hero Edition is a little more steep at € 35.95

Ocarina of Time occupy the image. The Link on the left calmly plays the ocarina, while the other link poses with a sword and shield in hand

Now, it's all a case of sitting tight and waiting to hear more for us fans, as it would be a huge surprise if Nintendo lets the entire year slide away without some pretty major announcements. Though the first 3D Zelda game for the Switch 2 may be a little way away, we should hopefully have plenty to do in the meantime before 2026 draws to a close.