Nintendo opens Zelda: Ocarina of Time pre-orders for the ocarina accessory fans were waiting for

Nintendo concluded the official gameplay reveal of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with pre-orders for items like the 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console and the foil cover variant of the game. Conspicuously missing from this lineup was the musical instrument that the Zelda remake centers on: the actual ocarina. Nintendo didn't share a price, nor did it say when the blue accessory would release. Now, the Japanese publisher has surprised fans with an Ocarina of Time pre-order shadow drop.

The electric ocarina officially releases on Nov. 5 — a week after the game goes on sale. It'll cost $49.99, and you can pre-order it via Nintendo here. While the accessory is completely optional, using it might make for a more immersive experience. Link will mimic anything you play IRL inside the game.

You can enjoy the instrument via Free Play, or you can play 12 pre-programmed songs via Auto-Play. The ocarina's functionality is enhanced further with Ocarina of Time's Zelda Notes app, which will allow players to save and share their own songs via QR codes. Players can hook up audio devices via the Ocarina's built-in headphone jack. While not in use, players can display the ocarina on a special stand.

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The big caveat here, which may be a deal-breaker for some fans, is that the ocarina is not a real instrument. That is, players don't have to blow on it to make the ocarina sing — all they have to do is press the mouthpiece button. Given how quickly pre-orders for accessories like the Pro Controller and carrying case are selling out, purchasing the ocarina could be a good pick-me-up. Even better: the ocarina won't require putting down hundreds of dollars. It's certainly an upgrade from the ocarina keychain pre-order bonus.

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How are Zelda Switch 2 retailer restocks going?

For many fans, pre-orders for the Zelda Switch 2 console continue to be elusive. The green and golden hardware went up for sale a handful of times via the Nintendo Store on the weekend of September 11; folks who downloaded the dedicated app were notified about its availability immediately.

Nintendo has assured fans that it will continue taking pre-orders over time, and to its credit, recent pre-order waves didn't sell out instantly. Still, Zelda fans are getting antsy. Major online retailers like Amazon and Target are selling out of Zelda Switch 2 pre-orders quickly, even when they restock multiple times a day. More recently, chains like GameStop have informed store managers that individual locations will not take console pre-orders at this time. Alexa, play Saria's Song.