The modern day remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) has officially landed on November 5, 2026. An exclusive title to Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, the new Ocarina of Time maintains the original story, while simultaneously introducing various new mechanics and expansions to keep players engaged.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time follows a young adventurer named Link who is the “only member of the Kokiri who doesn’t have a fairy, until the Great Deku Tree asks Navi to accompany him in his adventures.” Soon after, Link is given a “quest to stop the evil Gerudo king Ganondorf by traveling through time and navigating dungeons and an overworld.” As players advance through the story, they “must play songs on an ocarina, [a type of flute,] to progress.” As Nintendo notes in the game’s official overview,
Music plays a big role, too. You’ll use Link’s ocarina to manipulate the world around you—from changing night into day to calling your trusty steed, Epona.
In the original version, this was achieved by mapping different pitches using the buttons available on the game system’s controller. This mechanic is still available in the 2026 remake, but now, players have an option to enable their microphones and play the music themselves. This can be done vocally or by using an instrument, according to a Nintendo Support post. Instructions on how to enable this feature are as follows:
Ocarina of Time fans have quickly flocked online to share videos of themselves humming, screaming, singing, and playing various instruments into their mics, with some even playing their own ocarinas alongside Link. While Nintendo has not officially acknowledged these fans yet, the remake team did share a note thanking fans for their support over the years. “2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the Legend of Zelda series, and we wanted to take a moment to thank all the fans who bring their passion and love to the series,” they wrote. “You’re the ones who make it special, and we hope you continue to enjoy Link and Zelda’s adventures!”