HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2 is an electronic Zelda accessory designed to work with the new remake’s sound recognition. It is not a controller, and it does not connect to the console by USB. The Switch 2 microphone listens for the melody instead.
HORI Japan prices it at ¥7,980, while UK retailers list the European version at £44.99. HORI Europe’s own page is marked Coming Soon. The instrument takes three AA batteries and includes a display stand. It runs on three AA batteries, has two musical modes and includes a stand. Here’s what you actually get for the money.
HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2 price and release
The Japanese HORI model is NSX-261, barcode 4961818045378, with a suggested retail price of ¥7,980 including Japanese tax. Its Japanese manufacturer’s page says November 2026, without specifying an exact day.
The European model is NSX-261E. UK retailers including Very list it at £44.99, while HORI Europe marks the product Coming Soon. That retailer price isn’t a confirmed manufacturer-set UK RRP or evidence of available HORI stock.
Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time remake launches on 5 November 2026. Its US Nintendo Store page lists the same date for the electric ocarina in America. HORI Japan gives November as the release month, while the European listing doesn’t establish a UK delivery day.
Is the HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2 a controller?
No. HORI says the accessory is an electronic toy, not a game controller. You can’t use it to move Link, browse menus or replace your Joy-Con 2. It produces sounds rather than sending controller inputs to the Switch.
During musical moments in the remake, the console’s built-in microphone can recognise a song. This allows the electronic ocarina to trigger the relevant in-game action when it plays a recognised melody. There is no direct cable connection or special USB pairing step for that sound recognition.
The HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2 is optional. You can still use the game’s normal button controls, and the remake also recognises hummed melodies. The accessory doesn’t include a copy of the game.
HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2 playing modes
Free Play Mode lets you press the finger-hole buttons to produce individual notes and melodies. This resembles playing Link’s instrument, but you are controlling electronics rather than blowing into a traditional acoustic ocarina.
Auto-Play Mode plays 12 in-game songs at the press of a button. HORI Europe confirms this feature, which means you can enjoy the familiar music even if you don’t want to learn the individual note sequences.
The device has a volume dial and a headphone jack for connecting headphones or an external speaker. Those are sound-output features of the ocarina itself. Don’t confuse automatic music playback with automatic story progression or instant access to songs Link has not yet learned.
In Free Play, you perform the notes yourself. In Auto-Play, the instrument plays a selected tune. Either way, the game listens for the music rather than receiving controller input.
Batteries, size and what’s in the box
You’ll need three AA alkaline batteries and a size-2 Phillips screwdriver to open the battery compartment. HORI states that both are sold separately.
The box includes the electronic ocarina, a display stand and a quick-start guide. The ocarina is approximately 17.5 × 6 × 11.5 cm and weighs around 145 g without batteries. Its stand measures approximately 12 × 5 × 2.3 cm and weighs about 23 g.
The game and console aren’t included either. HORI advises updating the Switch 2 to the latest system software. The stand is there for display when you’re not using the instrument.
Is it the same as the real Zelda anniversary ocarina?
No. Nintendo has also presented a separate real playable ocarina as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. HORI’s electronic accessory has buttons, built-in sounds and automatic playback. It doesn’t work by blowing into a mouthpiece.
If you want to practise a real wind instrument, look at Nintendo’s separate playable ocarina. The HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2 is for players who want familiar Zelda songs at the press of a button and a display piece for their collection.
For game controls, see our Ocarina songs guide and Switch 2 controls guide. You don’t need HORI’s accessory to play the adventure normally.
Where can you buy the HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2?
HORI Europe currently marks the NSX-261E as Coming Soon. The £44.99 UK figure appears on retailer listings, while ¥7,980 is HORI Japan’s official tax-inclusive price. A confirmed UK on-sale day isn’t provided by the European manufacturer page.
Check the model number and actual stock status before ordering. The HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2 makes music for the remake to recognise, but it won’t replace a controller. You’ll need a Switch 2, the game and three AA batteries to use it.
Related Guides: HORI Electric Ocarina of Time Switch 2
Official source: HORI’s NSX-261 manufacturer specification.
