Nintendo has officially announced a new trading card set, The Legend of Zelda: Master Collection, celebrating the franchise's 40th anniversary. The collection is a collaboration with Panini, an Italian company known for its sports cards and sticker albums. The Master Collection aims to be an art-centric retrospective, featuring artwork drawn from every mainline game in The Legend of Zelda's four-decade history.
A Comprehensive Look at Zelda's Legacy
The franchise, which debuted in 1986, has expanded to include 21 mainline titles and approximately 46 games in total, incorporating remakes and spin-offs. This milestone is also being marked by a modern remake of Ocarina of Time and a special edition Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch 2. The Master Collection joins other announced collectibles such as action figures and LEGO sets.
Nintendo first revealed The Legend of Zelda: Master Collection during its dedicated Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct stream in September. Early previews of the cards showcase characters and scenes from various entries in the series, including Link from Tears of the Kingdom (2023), Princess Zelda from Skyward Sword (2011), and a scene from Ocarina of Time (1998).
While Nintendo has not yet provided specific details regarding the release date, pricing, or the total number of cards in the set, the box art has been revealed. It prominently features Link from multiple games against a white and gold backdrop, accented with subtle etchings of Hyrule's map. Based on Panini's typical product offerings, it is anticipated that the Master Collection box sets will contain between 12 and 24 booster packs, with each pack holding six cards.
In addition to the card packs, a collector's album is also planned. This album is described as having a black design with an elastic closure and gold-foil Zelda branding. Further information on the collector's album, including its price, is expected at a later date.
