Hori has officially opened pre-orders for its licensed Electric Ocarina of Time, priced at $49.99, giving Zelda fans a physical instrument to interact with the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 remake. Rather than making players rely solely on traditional gamepad inputs, this specialized controller takes advantage of the console's built-in microphone and acoustic recognition features to translate physical musical melodies directly into in-game actions.
Releasing on November 5 alongside the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the accessory changes how players activate iconic musical spells. Series producer Eiji Aonuma showcased during the Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct that humming melodies into the console triggers warp points and time manipulation. Hori's new peripheral elevates that interaction, allowing players to perform actual notes rather than humming awkwardly into their hardware.
How the Sound-Driven Control System Works
The electronic ocarina operates through sound emission rather than traditional breath pressure, using internal audio routing to project precise pitch frequencies picked up by the console microphone. Hori offers two primary operational modes: Free Play and Auto-Play. Free Play gives musicians full manual control over individual pitch buttons to perform melodies like Epona's Song or the Song of Storms at their own tempo. Auto-Play stores 12 pre-programmed tracks from the game's original score, triggering the exact frequency sequence at the touch of a single button for players who prefer automated gameplay progression.
To support standalone practice and flexible gaming setups, the device features a built-in external speaker, an integrated volume control dial, and a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone jack for silent late-night practice sessions. Hori packages the accessory with an acrylic display stand and a quick-start guide, turning the controller into a collector's display piece when sitting idle on a desk or media cabinet.
Switch 2 Exclusive Remake and Anniversary Hardware
The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time drops on November 5 exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform, bypassing the original Switch and Switch Lite entirely. Nintendo lists the digital download version at $59.99 (roughly $64 / £49.99 in the UK), while the physical cartridge edition retails for $69.99 (approximately $76 / £58.99). The initial production run of physical copies ships in textured foil packaging, though Nintendo is not offering collector's editions or pre-order bonuses through its official online storefront.
To anchor the milestone event, Nintendo is launching a limited Zelda 40th Anniversary Edition Switch 2 console on October 29 for $519.99 (roughly $557 / £434.99). This collector hardware bundle features themed detailing across the dock and body, though it does not include a digital or physical copy of the game. Gamers can complement the console with a standalone Zelda-themed Pro Controller for $99.99, or opt for a $109.99 bundle that includes a matching charging display stand.
Pricing, Regional Availability, and Future Acoustic Models
Hori lists the Electric Ocarina of Time for 7,980 yen in Japan (approximately $52) with a November 5 ship date matching the game's release window. In North America, pre-orders are currently active via the official Nintendo Store and Hori's direct e-commerce site for $49.99. European gamers will see model NSX-261 hit shelves slightly later on November 27, though regional pre-orders have not officially opened across EU store pages yet.
Interestingly, Hori's electronic unit is not the only musical replica coming to market. During the initial presentation, Nintendo briefly showcased a secondary acoustic ocarina device designed as a genuine playable wind instrument. Unlike Hori's electronic model, Nintendo has not disclosed official pricing, release windows, or microphone integration details for that acoustic variant, leaving Hori's $49.99 unit as the definitive interactive controller for launch day.
