The upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time features Link's ocarina playing with a level of accuracy that could allow players to learn the instrument themselves, according to Songbird Ocarina manager Eric Bernard.
Music has always been a significant element in the Zelda series, from the ocarina's central role in Ocarina of Time's narrative and gameplay to instruments in other titles. In the remake, Nintendo has focused on making Link's musical performances remarkably precise. Bernard, whose company Songbird Ocarina was a frequent advertiser in Nintendo Power magazine during the original game's release, stated that pre-release trailer animations show Link playing the ocarina with "extremely accurate" finger movements.
There is one minor caveat to the precision, Bernard noted. While Link always plays songs in their original key signatures, the physical limitations of a standard 12-hole Alto C ocarina, depicted in the remake, mean some notes fall outside its typical range of A4 to F6. For instance, in the Sun's Song, the highest note indicated is a high G, which is beyond the instrument's practical reach. Nintendo's solution in these instances is to have Link perform the fingering for a lower octave G, while the audible note is presented an octave higher.
Despite this adjustment, Bernard confirmed that a player with a standard 12-hole Alto C ocarina could generally replicate the songs by observing Link's on-screen finger movements. This accuracy is further supported by Nintendo's collaboration with Hori on an officially licensed electronic ocarina accessory designed to mimic real instrument finger placements. Additionally, players can hum melodies into the Switch 2's microphone to trigger Link's various songs.
Reviewers have noted that the remake offers a way for both returning fans to relive the magic of the original and for newcomers to experience a classic game in its definitive form.