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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Developer	Nintendo EAD
Publisher	Nintendo
Designer	Shigeru Miyamoto (producer) Eiji Aonuma (director)
Series	The Legend of Zelda
Engine	Derivative of Super Mario 64 engine[1]
Released	Nintendo 64 JP November 21, 1998 NA November 23, 1998 EU December 18, 1998 iQue CN November 2003 Virtual Console PAL February 23, 2007 NA February 26, 2007 JP February 27, 2007
Genre	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player
Ratings	ESRB: E (Everyone) ELSPA: 3+ PEGI: 7+ (GameCube versions), 12+ (Virtual Console) OFLC: G8+, PG (Virtual Console)
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, iQue, Virtual Console
Media	256Mb (32MB) Nintendo 64 cartridge, Nintendo GameCube Game Disc
Input methods	Gamepad

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (ゼルダの伝説 時のオカリナ, Zeruda no Densetsu Toki no Okarina^?) is an action-adventure game developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console as a part of Nintendo's critically acclaimed The Legend of Zelda video game series. It was followed by a direct sequel, Majora's Mask.

The game begins with the series' trademark silent protagonist, Link, in the land of Hyrule. Link sets out on a quest to stop Ganondorf, the Zelda franchise's prime antagonist, from obtaining an item called the Triforce, a magical object that grants its bearer's wishes. To stop Ganondorf, Link travels back and forth between a period of seven years using the titular Ocarina of Time.

Ocarina enjoyed wide critical acclaim as well as commercial success. It has sold over 7.6 million copies over its lifetime,^[2], and was the best-selling game in 1998 despite its November release. ^[3] It also received perfect scores from numerous gaming media publications, most notably Famitsu, and went on to place highly or top several "greatest games of all time" lists, including those from Gamespot^[4], IGN ^[5], and Edge Magazine ^[6].

Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Plot and setting 2.1 Story 3 Development 3.1 Re-releases and sequels 3.2 Audio 4 Reception and impact 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links

Ocarina of Time is a 3D action-adventure game with role-playing and puzzle elements. The player controls Link from a third-person perspective using a control scheme that is common today, but was considered revolutionary at the time.^[7] Link primarily battles with a sword and shield; he can also use projectile weapons, bombs, and magic spells.^[8] When battling, the player can cause Link to focus on an enemy through a new feature called "Z Targeting" (L Targeting in the Game Cube version).^[9] When using this technique, the camera will follow the target and Link will constantly face it. Projectile attacks will be automatically directed at the target and do not require manual aiming. Although much of the game is spent in battle, some parts encourage the player to use stealth—an uncommon situation for the series. Link must avoid guards at times in both Hyrule Castle and the Gerudo Fortress. If spotted, Link is thrown out or imprisoned, and thus forced to start over.

Link gains strength and new abilities through the collection of items and weapons found in dungeons or in the overworld. Not all are required—like all games in the series, Ocarina of Time has several optional side quests, minor objectives that the player can choose to complete or ignore. Completing the side quests usually results in rewards, normally in the form of weapons or abilities. In one side quest, Link trades items he cannot use among non-player characters. This trading sequence features ten items and ends with Link receiving an item he can use—the two-handed Biggoron Sword. In another side quest, Link can acquire a horse. This allows him to travel faster, but attacking while riding is restricted to arrows.^[10] This mechanic was expanded for future games and is now common in the Zelda series.

Link is given an ocarina near the beginning of the game, which is later replaced by the Ocarina of Time. Throughout the game, Link learns twelve melodies that allow him to solve music-based puzzles and to teleport.^[11] The Ocarina of Time is also used to claim the Master Sword in the Temple of Time. When Link takes the sword, he is transported seven years into the future and becomes an adult. Young Link and adult Link have different abilities. For example, only adult Link can use the Fairy Bow, and only young Link can fit through certain small passages. Link can travel freely between the two time periods by replacing and taking the sword.

Further information: Races in The Legend of Zelda series, Ocarina of Time characters, Enemies in The Legend of Zelda series.

Ocarina of Time is set in Hyrule, a fictional kingdom surrounding Hyrule Castle and the setting of most Zelda games. Hyrule Field serves as a central hub connected to several outlying areas with diverse topography. Some of these areas are populated by one of the races of Hyrule: Hylians, Gorons, Zoras, Kokiri, and Gerudo.^[12] Each race generally stays within its region of Hyrule and is led by its own ruler.

The game opens as the fairy Navi awakens Link from a nightmare. Navi has been sent to bring Link to the guardian of his village, the Great Deku Tree, who is cursed and near death. Link breaks the curse, but cannot stop the tree from withering. The Deku Tree tells Link that the wizard that cursed him seeks to conquer the land of Hyrule, and that Link must stop him. He orders Link to Hyrule Castle, then dies.^[13]

At Hyrule Castle, Link meets Princess Zelda, who explains that she has been having dreams about the future of Hyrule and that she foresaw Link's arrival. She believes that Ganondorf, a king from the desert, is seeking the Triforce, a holy relic in the Sacred Realm that gives its holder god-like power. Zelda's description of Ganondorf matches that of the wizard that killed the Great Deku Tree. Zelda asks Link to obtain the three Sacred Stones so that he might enter the Sacred Realm and claim the Triforce before Ganondorf reaches it.^[14]

Link retrieves the three stones and returns to the castle, where he sees Ganondorf pursuing Zelda on horseback. Spotting Link, Zelda throws the Ocarina of Time into the castle moat. After Link retrieves the Ocarina, Zelda telepathically teaches him the "Song of Time", which, combined with the Sacred Stones, allows Link to open the door that leads to the Sacred Realm. Just through the door, Link finds the Master Sword, a magical sword forged to fight evil. As he pulls the Master Sword from its pedestal, Ganondorf appears, having followed Link into the Sacred Realm, and claims the Triforce.^[15]

Seven years later, an older Link awakens in an ethereal room and is met by the elderly sage Rauru. Rauru informs Link that his spirit was sealed for seven years until he was old enough to wield the Master Sword and defeat Ganondorf.^[16] Rauru is the ancient Sage of Light, one of seven sages who protect the location of the Triforce. The seven sages can imprison Ganondorf in the Sacred Realm; the other six sages are unaware of their identities, however because Ganondorf has transformed Hyrule into a land of darkness. Under Ganondorf's Reign, Hyrule has rapidly fallen into decline and numerous disasters happen. Link returns to Hyrule and is met by the mysterious Sheik, who guides Link to rid five temples of Ganon's monsters, so that the power of the temples can awaken the sages and they will help him liberate Hyrule from Ganondorf's tyrannical rule.^[17]

After awakening five sages, Sheik is revealed as Princess Zelda, the seventh sage. She tells Link that when Ganondorf's heart is unbalanced, so the Triforce split into three pieces according to an ancient prophecy.^[18] Ganondorf kept the Triforce of Power, Zelda gained the Triforce of Wisdom and Link obtained the Triforce of Courage. Zelda bestows Link with the magical Light Arrows needed to defeat Ganondorf, when Ganondorf traps Zelda in a crystal and transports her to his tower. After the remaining six Sages help Link enter the tower, Link battles Ganondorf and the seven sages use their combined power to trap Ganon in the Sacred Realm, who takes the Triforce of Power with him.^[19] Zelda then takes the Ocarina of Time from Link, and uses it to send him back to his original time so he can live out his childhood naturally.

Ocarina of Time was first shown as a technical demo at Nintendo's SpaceWorld trade show in 1995.^[20] Nintendo originally intended the game for the Nintendo 64DD peripheral, but later decided to release it on a cartridge.^[21] At 32 megabytes, it was the largest game Nintendo had created.^[22] The development crew involved over 120 people, including stuntmen to capture swordfighting and Link's movement.^[23]

Customers who pre-ordered the game received a limited edition box with a golden plastic card affixed reading "Collector's Edition." This edition contains a gold-colored cartridge,^[24] a tradition for the Zelda series that began with the original game released for the NES. Demand was so great that Electronics Boutique stopped pre-selling the title on November 3, 1998; IGN reported that some retail employees were unsure if Nintendo would be able to fulfill the initial demand.^[25]

Ocarina of Time contains development code and text that is not used in the finished product. An Arwing enemy can be found in the game code, with the attack and movement AI fully programmed. The model, sound effects and animations are taken from Star Fox 64. Also, the collector's edition had different symbols for the mirror Shield and the banners in Gerudo Fortress.^[26]

Ocarina of Time was re-released for the Nintendo GameCube in both the Ocarina of Time: Master Quest and Collector's Edition compilation discs as an emulated ROM.^[27][28] Ocarina of Time: Master Quest was given as a premium for pre-ordering The Wind Waker in Japan and North America,^[29] as well as in a special GameCube bundle at Wal-Mart. In Europe and Australia the disc came in the same case as the initial pressings of The Wind Waker.^[30] In Europe it was available for a limited time through a special offer on the Nintendo website. Master Quest contains both the Ocarina of Time and a modified version with rearranged dungeons. Collector's Edition was available in GameCube bundles in Europe and North America, as well as by registering hardware and software, or by subscribing to official magazines or clubs. The disc also contains The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link, Majora's Mask, a demo of The Wind Waker and a Zelda retrospective.^[31]

The game was released in Europe and Australia for the Virtual Console on Nintendo's Wii console on February 23, 2007 for 1000 Wii Points. It was released in North America on February 26, 2007, and in Japan on February 27, 2007.^[32] The only absent element is the rumble feature (this includes the use of the Stone of Agony). The Wii is capable of playing the GameCube versions of the game with the rumble feature working properly. The Virtual Console is Version 1.2 of the original game with the exception of the crescent moon and star symbol of the Gerudo, which was changed to a new design.

Ocarina of Time was followed by four direct sequels: Majora's Mask is a story of the same Link from Ocarina of Time as he travels to a parallel land of Hyrule known as Termina. The Wind Waker is set one hundred years after Ocarina of Time, on a timeline that follows on from the devastated world of adult Link, long after Hyrule has been flooded due to the return of Ganon. The DS game Phantom Hourglass takes place shortly after The Wind Waker and features the same Link and Zelda characters. Twilight Princess may take place an indefinite amount of time after Majora's Mask and parallel to The Wind Waker, on what is called the 'child timeline', back in Hyrule. Since many details about the time line are not supplied by Nintendo (only some bits in magazine interviews), it is impossible to say exactly what order it comes in, or how many years pass in between each one. It has been said directly by creator Shigeru Miyamoto, however, that Ocarina of Time is the first in the storyline.^[33]

See also: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (soundtrack)

It has been suggested that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (soundtrack) be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Ocarina of Time's music was composed by Koji Kondo, a composer famous for his work on some of Nintendo's key titles. The music is inspired by a wide array of influences, as exemplified in its diversity from cartoon-like music in the Kokiri Forest to Spanish flamenco in the Gerudo Valley. In some locations, the music is a variation of an important ocarina tune related to that area. Ocarina of Time's soundtrack has been one of the biggest influences on the soundtrack of all subsequent Zelda titles. Twilight Princess contains several of the songs learned in Ocarina of Time, present as background motifs. The soundtrack was released in Japan on December 18, 1998 and featured 82 tracks.^[34] The music from Ocarina of Time was praised by many critics,^[35] and GameSpot considers it one of the top ten video game soundtracks as of 2001.^[36]

Reviews

Publication	Score
Famitsu	40 of 40[37]
IGN	10 of 10[38]
GameSpot	10 of 10[39]
Electronic Gaming Monthly	10 of 10[40]
Edge	10 of 10
N64 Magazine	98%
Nintendo Power	9.5 of 10[41]
Super PLAY	100 of 100
Computer and Video Games UK	9 of 10

Ocarina of Time met with both commercial and critical success. Reviewers praised the graphics, soundtrack, gameplay and story. It has been inducted into GameSpot's "Greatest Games of All Time" list,^[42] and is ranked fourth on the 2007 edition of IGN's "100 greatest video games of all time" list.^[43] It is the first game to receive a perfect score from Famitsu.

In 1998, Ocarina of Time won the Grand Prize in the Interactive Art division at the Japan Media Arts Festival.^[44] It also won six awards at the 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards including "Game of the Year", "Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Design", "Outstanding Achievement in Software Engineering", "Console Game of the Year", "Console Adventure Game of the Year", and "Console RPG of the Year".^[45]

Despite being available for only the last 39 days of the year, it was the best-selling game of 1998, with 2.5 million units sold.^[46] It went on to sell a total of 7.6 million copies worldwide.^[2]

Criticisms for Ocarina of Time started to appear on the game's re-releases, with reviews for Master Quest and the Virtual Console version considering the graphics and sound technologies dated. The most recent Gamespot review awarded a score of 8.9 out of 10 for these reasons. ^[47][48]

• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (soundtrack)
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest

• (1998) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time instruction booklet (in English). USA: Nintendo. U/NUS-NZLE-USA. 
• Nintendo EAD. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Nintendo. Nintendo 64. (in English). 1998-11-23.

• Official site
• Ocarina of Time at Nintendo's Zelda Universe
• Zelda's Secret Ocarina - dedicated to the Beta Quest and other lost regions of the Ocarina of Time game data
• Financial information at N-Sider.com
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time at MobyGames
• Shigesato Itoi's Website (Japanese) - information by production team
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time guide at StrategyWiki
• Ocarina of Time at the Legend of Zelda wiki, a wiki from wikia

v • d • e The Legend of Zelda video games
Games	The Legend of Zelda · The Adventure of Link · A Link to the Past · Link's Awakening · Ocarina of Time (Master Quest) · Majora's Mask · Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages · Four Swords · The Wind Waker · Four Swords Adventures · The Minish Cap · Twilight Princess · Phantom Hourglass
Spin-offs	Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland · Tingle's Balloon Fight · Link's Crossbow Training
Other	LCD games · CD-i games · BS The Legend of Zelda · BS Ancient Stone Tablets · Collector's Edition