Ocarina of Time Remake Songs & Ocarina — Switch 2 Guide

Confirmed Remake Changes (Updated Sep 2026)

1. Songs still advance the story and change the world — confirmed. Nintendo UK writes that melodies learned on the journey open paths and turn day into night, and the Japanese feature page says melodies manipulate time, open routes, and affect people’s hearts. Nintendo UK product page, “Mysterious melodies”; Nintendo Japan product page, “オカリナ”. Checked September 12, 2026.

2. Two ways to play: buttons or microphone — confirmed. The UK page states players can press buttons for the correct notes or hum into the Switch 2’s built-in microphone; Aonuma’s demo shows Link responding to melodies he has learned, including recognition of a physical instrument. Nintendo UK product page; Nintendo Direct transcript, lines 243–268. Checked September 12, 2026.

3. Sun’s Song was demonstrated live — confirmed. The Direct transcript records Aonuma playing “太陽の歌” in a night-time Hyrule Field and the scene switching instantly to day, with the note that some events only happen at day or at night. Nintendo Direct transcript, lines 243–252. Checked September 12, 2026.

4. A horse-summoning melody was demonstrated — the demo is confirmed; the song name is reported by media, not confirmed by Nintendo. The transcript records Aonuma playing a physical ocarina, the game responding, and a horse approaching from afar, and adds that Link can ride as an adult. The transcript does not name the melody; Game Informer identifies it as Epona’s Song. Nintendo Direct transcript, lines 259–268; Game Informer, checked September 12, 2026.

5. ZELDA NOTES extends sheet music use — confirmed. The Direct explains that Rumor Quest points earned by finding pictured locations can be exchanged for ocarina sheet music in the app, which supports free play, guided play, auto-play, custom scores, and QR-code sharing. It is a smartphone-app feature, not new main-game songs. Nintendo Direct transcript, lines 295–316; Nintendo UK product page, “Get more out of your adventure with ZELDA NOTES”. Checked September 12, 2026.

6. The soundtrack is refreshed overall — confirmed. The US page mentions symphonic orchestral music, UK/AU pages say the soundtrack is refreshed, and the Direct transcript says all sounds were redone and adds the new title-screen song to Nintendo Music. This is background and arrangement change; it is not the same list as the ocarina songs Link plays. Nintendo US product page, “The legend reborn for a new generation”; Nintendo AU product page. Checked September 12, 2026.

7. Official video anchor. Song demos in the full Direct can be located by the transcript keywords “太陽の歌”, “鼻歌”, and “実際のオカリナ”. The 3:16 UK video is a story trailer and must not be used to invent complete sheet music. Full Direct; Official PV, 00:00–03:16. Checked September 12, 2026.

Original (N64) Reference

The N64 original lets you learn 13 songs: 6 regular songs, 6 warp songs, and the player-customised Scarecrow’s Song; most are required to complete the game. Zelda Dungeon, overview. Checked September 12, 2026.

The six regular songs are Zelda’s Lullaby, Epona’s Song, Saria’s Song, Sun’s Song, Song of Time, and Song of Storms. They handle royal marks and mechanisms, summoning Epona, story exchanges, day-and-night switching and stunning the undead, time blocks and the Door of Time, and rain plus specific mechanisms respectively. Zelda Dungeon, “Regular Songs”. Checked September 12, 2026.

Zelda’s Lullaby is taught by Impa after the Hyrule Castle story sequence; in the original it is used at Goron City, the Zora’s Domain entrance, and the Water Temple’s water-level marks. Zelda Dungeon, “Zelda’s Lullaby”. Checked September 12, 2026.

Epona’s Song is taught by Malon at Lon Lon Ranch. Learning it is optional, but the adult-era task of obtaining and riding Epona requires it, and playing it for cows produces Lon Lon Milk. Zelda Dungeon, “Epona’s Song”. Checked September 12, 2026.

The six warp songs are Minuet of Forest, Bolero of Fire, Serenade of Water, Nocturne of Shadow, Requiem of Spirit, and Prelude of Light. Sheik teaches all of them in the adult era, and each leads near a temple or to the Temple of Time. Zelda Dungeon, “Warp Songs”. Checked September 12, 2026.

Scarecrow’s Song is custom-made as a child for Bonooru to remember, then replayed and confirmed as an adult to summon Pierre at specific spots. N64 and 3DS button layouts differ, so any button diagram must state its version. Zelda Dungeon, “Scarecrow’s Song”. Checked September 12, 2026.

What Might Change (Based on Trailers)

Most of the classic 13 songs may return, but the official demo only confirms Sun’s Song, the horse-summoning melody effect, and general song mechanics; the full song list still needs the release version or a named official update.

Microphone recognition may only accept songs Link has already learned, and may include pitch or rhythm tolerance; Nintendo has given no recognition thresholds, noise handling, or a confirmed toggle for microphone input.

Button playing still exists, but the new button sequences, note mapping, and assist UI are not public. N64 C-buttons or 3DS A/X/Y/R/L sequences must not be written as Switch 2 controls.

ZELDA NOTES custom scores and QR sharing are app-level creation features; there is no evidence that custom melodies change the main game world or replace story songs.