In 1998's The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link used the ocarina to play various melodies, changing time and opening paths. This iconic blue instrument quickly became one of the most recognizable items in the entire game. With the Nintendo Switch 2 remake set to launch in November, players won't just be returning to Hyrule for an adventure; they'll also be able to truly play the in-game "Ocarina of Time" with their own hands!
Japanese manufacturer HORI, long known for producing top-tier game controllers, steering wheels, storage, and audio peripherals, recently unveiled an officially licensed Nintendo product: the "Electronic Ocarina of Time" (エレクトリック 時のオカリナ). It's slated for release in Japan on November 5th, priced at 7,980 yen, and is currently available for pre-order on HORI's official store.
This product is a faithful recreation of the in-game Ocarina of Time, featuring a vibrant blue body, shimmering silver finger holes, and the iconic Triforce emblem. Its size also closely matches the proportions seen on screen when Link holds it. However, the official announcement specifically notes that this isn't a true ocarina that produces sound by blowing into it. The mouthpiece is primarily for aesthetic accuracy, and players will need to use their fingers to operate the sound holes on the body to play.
The Electronic Ocarina comes packed with both a "Free Play Mode" and an "Auto Play Mode." In Free Play, you can press different finger holes to play melodies just like a real ocarina. Auto Play Mode, on the other hand, features 12 pre-recorded songs straight from the game, allowing even those unfamiliar with fingerings to enjoy the classic tunes. The device also includes a handy volume control knob and a headphone jack, making it perfect for players who want to practice privately or simply use it as a cool collectible item that plays game music.
Its connectivity with the Nintendo Switch 2 is quite clever. The console doesn't recognize the Electronic Ocarina as a controller; instead, it uses its built-in microphone to pick up the sounds produced by the ocarina. This allows the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake's sound recognition feature to interpret the melodies played by the user, and Link in the game will then play the corresponding tunes!
This awesome feature isn't exclusive to HORI's product; the Nintendo Switch 2 version also allows players to hum directly into the console or even use other real instruments. Earlier, during the The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary presentation, new features for the remake were also revealed, including sound recognition, manual jumping, dashing, gyro aiming, and full event voice acting.
The HORI Electronic Ocarina measures approximately 17.5 cm wide and weighs about 145 grams. It requires three AAA alkaline batteries (sold separately) and comes with a dedicated display stand. When not in use, you can proudly display it on the stand, with its silver finger holes, blue casing, and Triforce emblem on the mouthpiece all perfectly preserved. From a distance, it looks almost identical to the one Link wields in the game!
via： HORI