Growing up, “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” wasn’t just a game to me. It was my daily friend, my escape after tough school days, and a comforting old tale before bedtime.

I still remember that day when the first boss stuck me, and my father shut off the electricity and laughed. Well played, dad. Diving into its world felt like sneaking into a secret garden, where each corner held a memory or a laugh.

The Legend Of Zelda Ocarina Of Time Facts

Here is my list of facts. Have fun reading them, and don’t forget to take the quiz at the end of the article to see if you are a true Legend of Zelda fan.

1. “Ocarina of Time” was initially planned for the Nintendo 64DD add-on.
2. The game was influenced by creator Miyamoto’s childhood memories of exploring woods and caves.
3. Link’s red fairy, Navi, derives her name from ‘navigate’.
4. The character Sheik was inspired by the Last Emperor of China, Puyi.
5. The game originally had a first-person perspective, which was changed to third-person.
6. It was the first game to introduce target-lock or “Z-targeting” in combat.
7. Kakariko Village was originally intended to be a fort protected by a drawbridge.
8. The Shadow Temple’s original design was even darker, but it was toned down for younger audiences.
9. Link’s iconic “spin attack” was implemented due to the hardware limitations of the N64.
10. The Forest Temple was originally designed as a wind or air-themed temple.
11. The Temple of Time’s design was inspired by European cathedrals.
12. Development began in 1995, and it took a team of over 120 individuals to complete.

13. “Ocarina of Time” introduced the time-traveling game mechanic using the Master Sword.
14. The original game had no written script. Dialogue was crafted directly in the game’s engine.
15. A beta version of the game showcased a medallion system that was later scrapped.
16. Unused audio files suggest Link was once able to turn into Navi for short periods.
17. Ganondorf’s design was inspired by Christopher Lambert’s portrayal in “Highlander”.
18. There’s an “Arwing” from Star Fox hidden in the game’s code for testing purposes.
19. “Ocarina of Time” was one of the first games to use context-sensitive actions.
20. Miyamoto once considered making Zelda playable in a stealth-based portion of the game.
21. The Gerudo’s Fortress layout was initially planned to be more complex.
22. It was the first Zelda game to use motion-captured animations.
23. There was supposed to be a wind and an ice medallion, but they were merged into the Water Temple.
24. The unicorn fountain, an unused beta element, became a widely circulated myth.
25. The character Dampe, the gravekeeper, has a heart beating on his back.
26. The Lens of Truth was inspired by the Eye of Truth from Japanese folklore.
27. Mido, the Kokiri who blocks Link’s path, was named after Miyamoto.
28. Impa’s design was influenced by the Sheikah, a tribe of shadow warriors.
29. The Dead Hand, an enemy in the Bottom of the Well, was inspired by Japanese horror themes.
30. There’s an unused animation of Link throwing a punch.

31. Ganon’s castle was initially planned to have individual rooms reflecting each temple.
32. Music composer Koji Kondo initially created a score with synthesizers but opted for a more traditional sound later.
33. The Water Temple’s design was influenced by Japanese water gardens.
34. Link’s nightmare about Ganondorf chasing him was inspired by Miyamoto’s own childhood nightmares.
35. The running man, who cannot be outpaced by Link, was an early example of a dynamic AI character.
36. A shop in Hyrule Castle Town shows Mario characters as masks on the wall.
37. The Poe Collector in Hyrule Castle Town was originally a human before being transformed.
38. The character Ruto, the Zora princess, was designed after an African woman’s appearance.
39. Sheik’s harp was inspired by the design of a Japanese koto.
40. A beta item called the “Wind Medallion” never made it to the final release.
41. The character Bongo Bongo, a boss, has an uncanny resemblance to a character in an old Japanese painting.
42. Tektites, spider-like enemies, were named after a type of meteorite fragment.
43. The Bombchu, a mobile explosive device, was named after “chu”, the Japanese sound for a mouse’s squeak.
44. The infamous Water Temple was adjusted in later releases due to player feedback about its difficulty.
45. Originally, players could use the ocarina to alter the weather in the game.
46. The Giant’s Knife breaks easily because the character Biggoron says he’s not confident in its craftsmanship.
47. Nabooru’s name was taken from a city in the “Dune” novels by Frank Herbert.
48. There’s an early game build where Link could jump manually, a feature removed in the final version.
49. The character Talon closely resembles Mario, complete with a Bowser pendant.
50. The Great Deku Tree’s design was influenced by ancient Japanese folklore about divine trees.

Quotes From The Legend Of Zelda

English is not my first language, and I had a really hard time understanding some of the famous Zelda quotes when I was a kid. Let’s enjoy some of them together.

I am sure you read the final quote with Navi’s voice.

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Ocarina Of Time FAQ

Here is a small list of questions I found online about the game. If, for some reason, you knew all the answers, then I have a spare fairy for you.

• Is Ocarina of Time open world?
  Let’s think of the game as that grandparent who paved the way for the cool tech-savvy kids of today. It’s not fully open-world like some of the gaming giants we see now, but back in the day, it was one of the biggest games! So, is it a vast, endless universe? Nah. But is it one big, awesome playground of adventure? Absolutely!
• Is Ocarina of Time the best game ever?
  Ah, the age-old debate! For some, it is like that epic, unbeatable game recipe. For others, it’s just one of many recipes out there. Does it have a smashing storyline and gameplay that rocked the ’90s? Heck yes! But “best ever“? That’s like asking if pineapple belongs on pizza, ya know? To each their own!
• Will Ocarina of Time be remastered?
  We already saw our hero Link get a fresh coat of paint for the Nintendo 3DS. But another remaster? Who knows! If I were to bet, I’d say that with its legendary status, it might just get another glow-up. But hey, maybe we should start a petition just in case?
• Why is the ocarina instrument so significant in the game?
  Well, besides giving us the catchy tunes, the ocarina is like Link’s Swiss Army knife but in flute form. Need rain for those thirsty plants? Play a tune! Want to turn night into day? There’s a song for that. So, while you might think, “It’s just a blue flute,” in Hyrule, it’s the equivalent of a magic wand.
• Can you play characters other than Link in Ocarina of Time?
  Mostly, you’re rocking the green tunic and pointy hat as Link. But occasionally, the game throws a curveball and says, “Hey, fancy a brief change?” and lets you kind of control someone else for a hot minute. But mostly, it’s all about Link.

Ocarina Of Time Myths

Who is the hero of time? Can you equip the Triforce? How old is Zelda? There are many myths and rumors about the game. Let’s dive into some of the popular ones and bust them.

• The Elusive Triforce Quest. Myth: Back in the day, my buddy swore he’d unlocked a secret way to equip the Triforce in the game. Truth: No matter how much we tried, it turns out the Triforce isn’t something you can grab and use. It’s more like the heart of the story than an actual item.
• The Frozen Heart of Zora’s Domain. Myth: I remember sleepless nights trying to thaw Zora’s Domain, certain that I’d missed some magic spell. Truth: It broke my heart to realize that once frozen, Zora’s Domain stays that way. All those hours!
• Luigi’s Secret Vacation. Myth: Someone once said he spotted Luigi hidden in the game. Truth: As much as I wish the green plumber made a cameo, I can’t find him anywhere. But, hey, spotting those Mario references in Hyrule Castle was a fun surprise!
• The Mysterious Song of the Skull. Myth: There were rumors that there was a tune that could control the bony Stal children. Truth: No such song exists. We might have made up our own versions, but they were just for fun.
• Racing the Ghostly Runner. Myth: I heard that if you were fast enough, you could outpace that ghostly Running Man and get an epic reward. Truth: No matter how swift my fingers were or how optimized my route, he always seemed to be a second faster. People should leave some races unconquered.

It’s amazing how these myths, true or not, became such cherished memories and stories we shared with friends. And yes, I am not ashamed to say that I spent countless hours trying to beat the runner. I am sure you did as well.

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Ocarina Of Time Trivia

It’s quiz time, fellow Hylian. Let’s see if you are a true fan or if you scrolled down here without reading a thing. There are three different results, depending on how many you get correct. But if you get all of them wrong, then the song of storms will play inside your room.

Melodies From A Golden Era

The game was a masterpiece for his age. And even now. I swear I can still hear its melodies in the back of my mind, nudging at childhood memories of cozy evenings and wide-eyed wonder. It wasn’t just pixels and sound—it was a piece of my heart.

Do you remember the first time you stepped foot into the vast world of Hyrule? What is the most memorable Ocarina song for you? I would love to hear it.

Conclusion

When I finish this article, I can’t help but wrap myself in the warm blanket of nostalgia. I hope it was an interesting read for you as well.

All these stories, big and small, are a big part of our childhood. So here’s to all these melodies, the adventures, and Hyrule, a place that will always feel like home.

Until next time, dear traveler.