The long-awaited remake of the classic game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has just dropped, and it's the in-game ocarina that's stealing the show. Players are now able to play any tune they fancy on Link's ocarina, with social media being flooded with users sharing their creations. From video game series like Final Fantasy and anime such as Dragon Ball Z, to film scores including Titanic and The Lord of the Rings, the remake has become a platform for musical experimentation. Users often add a pun in their posts, usually involving Link or Hyrule. For instance, on Twitter, @StevenxTCG managed to get Link playing Linkin Park's 'In the End' on his ocarina, which proved surprisingly popular, prompting him to share a guide on how to play it yourself. On a lighter note, another user posted 'Macarena of Time,' their take on the '90s dance craze.
Moving beyond gaming tunes, users have also tried their hand at other themes. @KOPPE_lunix shared their rendition of the emotional Final Fantasy 10 track 'To Zanarkand,' and offered guidance on how to play it. Video game lecturer Dr. T. Wade Langer (aka ProfNoctis) posted a duet of Link and Cloud playing Final Fantasy 7’s main theme, adding that he now wants music minigames in every game. Another popular choice was Kingdom Hearts’ 'Dearly Beloved.'
More recent games have also been given the ocarina treatment, with users attempting everything from Death Stranding’s BB's theme to Kirby Air Riders’ main theme song Starlit Journey. Movie soundtracks were not left out either, with the main theme from Titanic being a popular choice, as were The Lord of The Rings movies.
In Japan, store and supermarket jingles seem to be particularly popular, possibly due to their simple melodies being well-suited to the ocarina. One user managed to play 'Yobikomi-kun,' a catchy ditty well-known to anyone who has spent time wandering supermarket aisles in Japan. Even discount store Don Quijote got a rendition of its earworm jingle for the ‘Hyrule branch.’
Nintendo also released an official Playable Ocarina, a physical replica of Link’s musical instrument that can be used with the game. By playing a melody towards the Switch 2's microphone, Link in the game will play along with you. The ocarina is not just a fun feature but also a game mechanic, as players can find and learn songs to do useful things like fast travel and solve puzzles.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has already sold an impressive 5.2 million copies, making it the fastest-selling Switch 2 game after just four days on sale. You can read our review of the game here, or check out our look at the Biggest Changes from the original 1998 game. For comprehensive guides on each main quest area and dungeon, plus where to get Early Heart Pieces, Early Gold Skulltulas, and Early Item Bag Expansions, be sure to check out our expanding Ocarina of Time Remake Walkthrough. Don't miss our complete guides to All Pieces of Heart, All Gold Skulltulas, and All Empty Bottles!
Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor, and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.