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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

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Embark on an epic adventure through Hyrule as Link in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This timeless single-player RPG, released in 1998, tasks you with navigating treacherous dungeons, interacting with essential NPCs, and mastering the quests of both young and adult Link. From the depths of the Deku Tree to the challenges of Forest Temple, you'll uncover the magic of Hyrule.

This guide is your key to unlocking the secrets of Ocarina of Time. We cover everything you need to overcome legendary bosses, find all the crucial items, and master the game's intricate quests. Whether you're stuck on a specific dungeon or need help with the dual timelines of Link, we've got you covered.

Items

Explore the essential items and tools in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, from the Deku Stick and Fairy Slingshot to the Hookshot and Ocarina of Time.

This guide details the various items Link can acquire throughout his adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. These items serve as weapons, tools, and keys to progression.

  • Deku Stick — A versatile item used as a weapon dealing more damage than the Kokiri Sword, and as a tool for lighting torches.
  • Deku Nut — Stuns enemies on contact, leaving them vulnerable.
  • Fairy Slingshot — A basic tool from the Deku Tree that fires Deku Seeds at targets over long distances.
  • Bomb Bag — Obtained in Dodongo's Cavern, allows Link to carry explosives.
  • Boomerang — Found in Jabu-Jabu's Belly, used to retrieve distant items and hit targets on a curved trajectory.
  • Bombchu — A bomb that travels in a straight line and detonates on contact with a target.
  • Din's Fire — A spell from a Great Fairy that creates a ball of flames around Link, consuming magic.
  • Farore's Wind — A spell from a Great Fairy that allows Link to set a warp point in a dungeon and return to it.
  • Hookshot — Obtained in the Graveyard, allows Adult Link to retrieve far-off objects and grapple onto specific surfaces.
  • Fairy Bow — Found in the Forest Temple, shoots arrows to hit switches and damage enemies. Can be upgraded with Fire, Ice, and Light Arrows.
  • Magic Beans — Purchased from the Magic Bean seller, can be planted in soft soil to grow into large plants that transport Link to new areas.
  • Megaton Hammer — Found in the Fire Temple, used as a weapon and to pound switches or clear paths.
  • Lens of Truth — Found in the Bottom of the Well, allows the wearer to see through illusions and fake walls.
  • Nayru's Love — A spell from the Great Fairy of the Desert Colossus that grants temporary invincibility, consuming magic.
  • Iron Boots — Found in the Ice Cavern, make Link sink in water and increase stability.
  • Hover Boots — Found in the Shadow Temple, allow Link to hover for a few seconds when walking off a ledge, at the cost of traction.
  • Fairy Ocarina — A gift from Saria, used to play special songs.
  • Ocarina of Time — Given by Princess Zelda, allows Link to play the Song of Time and open the Gate of Time.

Controls

Learn how to move Link, attack, use items, and control the camera in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time with this beginner-friendly guide to the N64 and 3DS controls.

Alright, let's get you sorted with how to actually *play* Ocarina of Time! The controls are pretty slick once you get the hang of them, and they've tweaked them a bit for the 3DS version, so keep that in mind if you're playing on that system. Don't worry, it's all pretty intuitive.

Here's a breakdown of what each button does:

Button Action
Circle Pad This is how you'll move Link around Hyrule and also navigate through menus. Pretty standard stuff!
A Button This is your main action button! Whatever action pops up in the bottom-right corner of your screen – like 'Open' or 'Grab' – that's what the A button will do. You'll be using this ALL the time.
B Button Your trusty sword! A quick tap attacks. Mash it three times for a combo, spin the Circle Pad and press B for a spin attack, or use it with L Target for different sword techniques like chopping, stabbing, or guarding.
X Button This is where you'll use one of your assigned items.
Y Button And this is for your other assigned item. Handy for quick access!
L Button This button is super useful. It centers the camera, lets you strafe around enemies or objects. If you press A while strafing, Link will do a jump attack. You can also do a cool backwards flip or a sideward dodge with specific Circle Pad and A button combinations while holding L.
R Button Raise your shield! Essential for blocking attacks.
Touch screen (3DS) On the 3DS, you can tap icons here to perform actions, like calling Navi.
ZL Button (New 3DS) Doesn't do anything in this game.
ZR Button (New 3DS) Also doesn't do anything.
D-Pad No actions assigned here in Ocarina of Time.
C-Stick (New 3DS) No actions assigned here either.

The Mighty A Button

Seriously, the A button is your best friend in Ocarina of Time. You'll be pressing it constantly from the get-go. It's context-sensitive, meaning it does whatever the game tells you to do at that moment. Here’s a more detailed look at its many uses:

  • Speak: Walk up to any friendly character (NPC) and press A to chat with them.
  • Roll Attack: While moving, press A to perform a roll attack. It's a great way to cover ground quickly!
  • Check: See a sign or an interesting object? Press A to get more information.
  • Grab, Push, or Pull: For those big blocks you can't just pick up, hold A to grab on, then use the Circle Pad to push or pull them in the direction you want. You can usually only move them forward or backward.
  • Grab and Throw: For smaller items, you can grab them with A, move around, aim, and then hurl them wherever you please.
  • Grab and Drop: Some items you can just grab and then drop wherever you decide.
  • Climb and Descend: See a ladder? Get close and press A to grab on, then you can climb up or down.
  • Open Doors: Standing in front of a door? Press A to open it, assuming it's not locked, of course!
  • Drop Down: If you're hanging onto a ledge, press A to let go and drop down.
  • Target and Speak: If an NPC is a bit too far away to just walk up to, use the L Button to target them first, then press A to speak.

Mastering these controls, especially the versatile A button, will make your journey through Hyrule much smoother. Now you're ready to take on the world!

Controls (2)

Master the controls in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time! This guide breaks down every button and action on N64 and 3DS, so you can navigate Hyrule like a pro.

Hey there! So you're diving into The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time? Awesome choice! The game's controls are super flexible, and once you get the hang of them, you'll be zipping around Hyrule like a seasoned pro. Just a heads-up, the 3DS version has a slightly different setup than the original N64, so some buttons might do different things or be moved to the touchscreen. No worries, we'll cover it all!

N64 / 3DS Button Action
Circle Pad This is your main movement stick. Use it to walk Link around Hyrule and also to navigate through menus.
A Button This button is your go-to for performing actions that pop up on screen, usually in the bottom-right corner. Think of it as the 'interact' button. We'll get into all the cool stuff it does in a sec!
B Button This is your trusty sword button! You can mash it three times for a quick combo. If you spin the Circle Pad and press B, Link does a cool spin attack. Holding L Target and pressing B lets you chop, while holding L Target, pushing the Circle Pad forward, and pressing B performs a stab. If you hold R and press B, Link will guard and then stab. Moving sideways and pressing B results in a slice.
X Button This button is for using one of your assigned items.
Y Button Same as the X button, this is for using another one of your assigned items.
L Button Pressing L will center the camera, which is super handy. It also lets you 'strafe' an enemy or object, meaning you can move around them while keeping them in view. While strafing, pressing A does a jump attack that deals extra damage. If you hold L, push the Circle Pad backward, and press A, Link will do a backward flip. Holding L, pushing the Circle Pad sideways, and pressing A lets Link dodge incoming attacks with a sideward flip.
R Button This button brings up Link's shield. Essential for blocking attacks!
Touch screen (3DS) On the 3DS, you can tap icons on the touchscreen to perform actions, like calling Navi.
ZL Button (New 3DS) This button doesn't have a specific action assigned in this game.
ZR Button (New 3DS) Like ZL, this button is also not used for any actions in Ocarina of Time.
D-Pad The D-Pad doesn't have any direct actions mapped to it in the game.
C-Stick (New 3DS) This stick also doesn't have any actions assigned to it.

A Button Deep Dive

Okay, let's talk more about the A Button because it's seriously one of the most important buttons you'll use. You'll be relying on it constantly, right from the get-go!

  • Speaking: When you're standing in front of a character (NPC), pressing A lets you talk to them.
  • Roll Attack: If you're moving and press A, Link will do a roll attack. It's a great way to cover ground quickly!
  • Checking: See a sign or something interesting? Press A when you're in front of it to check it out and get more info.
  • Pushing/Pulling Blocks: For those big, heavy blocks that are bigger than Link, you'll press and hold A to grab onto it. Then, just use the Circle Pad to tilt it in the direction you want to push or pull. You might only be able to move them forward or backward, though.
  • Grabbing and Throwing: If you find smaller items, you can grab them with A, move around, aim, and then throw them wherever you like. Handy for puzzles or just messing around!
  • Grabbing and Dropping: Similar to throwing, you can grab smaller items and just drop them wherever you want.
  • Climbing: When you get near a ladder, Link will automatically grab on. Then, use the Circle Pad to climb up or down.
  • Opening Doors: Standing in front of a door? Press A to open it, assuming it's not locked, of course!
  • Dropping Down: If Link is hanging onto a ledge, pressing A will make him drop down. Be careful where you drop!
  • Targeting and Speaking (from afar): If an NPC is a bit too far away to just walk up to, you can press L to target them first, and then press A to speak. It saves you a few steps!

That covers the main controls! Don't worry if it seems like a lot at first. You'll get the hang of it super quickly as you play. Happy adventuring!

Kokiri Forest

Start your adventure in Kokiri Forest in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Get the Kokiri Sword and Deku Shield to enter the Great Deku Tree.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    After a cutscene (a non-interactive cinematic the game plays automatically) (a non-interactive story sequence), you will wake up. Exit your house and speak with Saria.
  2. 2
    Explore Kokiri Forest and head to Mido, who is blocking the path to the Great Deku Tree. He will not let you pass without a Sword and Shield.
  3. 3
    Locate the Forest Training Center to the left of your house. Enter the narrow crouch-hole at the back by pressing A to crouch.
  4. 4
    Navigate the obstacle course within the Training Center, avoiding rolling rocks, to find a chest containing the Kokiri Sword. Equip it from the Gear screen.
  5. 5
    To obtain the shield, you need 40 Rupees. Gather Rupees by:
  6. 6
    Slashing bushes in the Training Center (1 Rupee each).
  7. 7
    Backflipping twice near two rocks in the Training Center for 6 Rupees.
  8. 8
    Tossing rocks in front of Mido's house.
  9. 9
    Finding 5 Rupees behind Mido's house and 12 Rupees in chests inside.
  10. 10
    Collecting a Blue Rupee (worth 5 Rupees) at the end of the walkways above Saria's house.
  11. 11
    Hopping across stones near the shop without falling to get 5 Rupees.
  12. 12
    Purchase the Deku Shield for 40 Rupees at the local shop. Equip it.
  13. 13
    Return to Mido. He will now allow you to pass.
  14. 14
    Encounter Deku Babas; slash them to obtain Deku Sticks, which deal more damage than your sword initially.
  15. 15
    Proceed to the Great Deku Tree and speak with him. Agree to break the curse by entering his mouth.

Inside the Deku Tree

  1. Enter the dungeon. Climb the vine-like surfaces to reach a ledge.
  2. Go clockwise to a chest containing the Dungeon Map.
  3. Head through the southwestern door. To defeat the Deku Scrub, L-Target it and hold your shield up to deflect its shot back.
  4. Go through the newly opened door.
  5. Climb the vine wall to a ledge with a chest containing the Fairy Slingshot.
  6. Shoot the ladder above the doorway with your Slingshot to drop it. Return to the Dungeon Map chest area.
  7. Shoot the Skulltulas on the wall with your Slingshot to kill them.
  8. Climb to the higher level. Go to the west door.
  9. Light a Deku Stick with a nearby torch and use it to light another unlit torch, opening the door.
  10. Step on the switch and cross to the ledge on the left. Avoid the Skulltula.
  11. Kill Gold Skulltula #1 on the wall. Open the chest for a Recovery Heart.
  12. Return to the switch, step on it again, and cross to the opposite ledge. Open the chest for the Compass.
  13. Exit this area. Defeat a Skulltula to get a clear shot down below. Leap over the edge into the webbing to break it, accessing basement rooms.
  14. In the central basement room, kill Gold Skulltula #2 on the vines.
  15. Examine the grates in the water to find Gold Skulltula #3. Grab both tokens.
  16. Use the shallow water to climb onto a higher ledge. Step on the switch to light a torch and burn cobwebs covering a chest with another Recovery Heart.
  17. Light a Deku Stick from a brazier and use the shallow water to reach the southeast corner. Burn the cobwebs blocking a door and go through.
  18. Defeat the Deku Scrub. Shoot the eye switch above the door with your Slingshot to unlock it.
  19. In the next room, leap into the water. Under the rotating spikes on the left, dive to trigger a switch.
  20. This lowers the water level, allowing you to safely pass under the rotating spikes with the center platform.
  21. Defeat the Skulltula on the other end. Pull the block into its slot to reach the ledge with the door.
  22. Light the torches in the room with a Deku Stick to open the next door.
  23. In the large room, note the rocks in the northwest corner for later. Burn the web to the east with a Deku Stick.
Tips
  • Deku Sticks deal more damage than your sword initially.
  • You can deflect Deku Scrub shots back at them with your shield.
  • Falling damage can often be avoided.
  • Kokiri Sword
  • Deku Shield
  • Fairy Slingshot
  • Dungeon Map
  • Compass
  • Recovery Hearts
  • Deku Sticks
  • Gold Skulltula Tokens (3)

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