Walk into any millennial’s home office or a dedicated gaming room, and you’ll likely see it. That specific shade of golden-orange. The silhouette of a boy on a horse against a massive, looming moon or a bright, Hylian sun. Honestly, the Ocarina of Time poster has become more than just a piece of promotional paper; it’s basically the "Star Wars" one-sheet of the gaming world. But here’s the thing—most people are buying low-res reprints from random sites without realizing they’re missing out on the actual history of these images.
It’s been decades since 1998. That’s a long time for paper to survive.
If you’re looking to slap some Zelda art on your wall, you’ve got choices. You can go the "official" route, which usually means hunting down eBay listings for 25-year-old promotional materials sent to FuncoLand or Babbage's. Or, you go the "aesthetic" route, which involves modern minimalist prints that look great but don't have that chunky, nostalgic 64-bit soul.
The Mystery of the Gold Foil Original
Most people think there’s just one "main" poster. You know the one—Link rearing up on Epona. But did you know the original Japanese retail posters used a completely different color palette than the North American ones? The NTSC-U (North American) marketing was obsessed with that "Gold" branding because of the iconic gold cartridges.
If you find an original Ocarina of Time poster from the '90s, check the bottom corner. Genuine Nintendo Power inserts or retail promos will have specific licensing text that most bootleggers forget to include. Look for the "Official Nintendo Seal of Quality" logo. If it’s missing, or if it looks slightly blurry, you’re looking at a scan. Scans are fine if you just want the vibe, but for a collector, it’s the difference between a $10 piece of paper and a $300 investment.
Kinda crazy how much these things have appreciated.
I remember talking to a shop owner in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. He pointed out that the 1998 "B2" sized posters are the most coveted. They’re huge. They’re vibrant. And they weren't made for fans to own; they were made to be taped to a window for three weeks and then tossed in the trash. That’s why finding one without tape marks or "tack holes" is like finding a heart container in a desert.
Why Composition Matters More Than Resolution
There’s a specific art style from the Yusuke Nakano era of Nintendo that just hits different. It's that heavy-line, high-contrast look. When you’re choosing a poster, pay attention to the character renders.
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Some modern "upscaled" versions of the Ocarina of Time poster use AI to sharpen the edges. It looks weird. It loses the painterly texture that Nakano worked so hard to create. You want to see those slight imperfections. You want to see the way the light hits Link’s Master Sword in a way that feels intentional, not smoothed out by an algorithm.
The "Master Quest" and Promotional Variants
A lot of folks forget about the Master Quest release on the GameCube. When that dropped, a whole new wave of posters hit the market. These are often easier to find in good condition because they're newer, but they lack that "November 1998" energy.
Then there’s the 3DS remake.
The 3DS art is technically "better" in terms of fidelity. It’s cleaner. Link looks less like a collection of sharp polygons and more like a fluid character. But does it have the same impact? Usually not. The original 64-bit era marketing had a certain grit to it. It felt epic because the game felt impossibly large for the time.
If you're hunting for something truly unique, look for the "Medallion" posters. These weren't the main box art. Instead, they featured the six Sages—Rauru, Saria, Darunia, Ruto, Impa, and Nabooru. They were often given away as prizes or included in specific strategy guide bundles. Finding a full set is basically the "final boss" of Zelda room decorating.
Paper Quality: The Silent Killer
Here is something nobody talks about: gsm.
Grams per square meter.
Standard posters are printed on thin 100gsm paper. It wrinkles if you even look at it wrong. If you’re buying a high-end Ocarina of Time poster today, you should be looking for at least 200gsm or "museum-grade" archival paper.
Why? Because Zelda fans are getting older. We aren't pinning things to the wall with blue tack anymore. We’re framing them. Thin paper ripples under glass due to humidity. It looks cheap. If you’re going to spend the money on a nice frame, make sure the print inside is thick enough to stay flat.
Where to Actually Look (And What to Avoid)
Honestly, stay away from the "Big Box" stores if you want something that doesn't look like a blurry JPEG.
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- Redbubble/Etsy: Great for "fan art" or "minimalist" takes, but terrible for official-looking renders. You'll often get something that looks great on a phone screen but arrives looking like a pixelated mess.
- Auction Sites: This is where the real 1998 "Ocarina of Time poster" lives. Use search terms like "N64 Promo Poster" or "Nintendo Power Zelda Insert."
- Displate: These are metal. They’re cool. They don’t tear. But they don't have that "paper" nostalgia.
- Japanese Proxy Services: Sites like Buyee or ZenMarket let you tap into Yahoo! Japan Auctions. This is where the "B2" posters hide. They’re often cheaper than US listings, even with shipping.
People always ask if they should get the Japanese version (Toki no Opari-na). Personally? Yes. The typography is objectively cooler. The Japanese logo for Zelda has a certain sharp, legendary feel that the English "Z" logo—as classic as it is—sometimes lacks. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter for your "nerd nook."
The "Link on a Horse" Phenomenon
We have to talk about the Epona silhouette.
It’s arguably the most famous image in gaming history. Link riding across Hyrule Field toward Hyrule Castle. It perfectly captures "The Hero's Journey."
If you’re looking for this specific Ocarina of Time poster, be aware that there are dozens of variations. Some have the "Coming November 1998" text. Some have the "Only for Nintendo 64" badge. If you want the "cleanest" look, search for the "textless" version. Several high-end printers have reconstructed this image from the original assets, removing the logos entirely. It makes the art feel like a piece of actual landscape photography from a world that doesn't exist.
Framing is the Secret Sauce
Don't buy a $20 poster and put it in a $5 plastic frame.
It’s a crime.
For an Ocarina of Time poster, you want a frame that complements the "Legendary" vibe. Think dark woods or brushed bronze. Avoid bright colors. The art is already vibrant; you don't need a red frame screaming for attention.
Also, get UV-protective glass.
Sunlight is the enemy of 90s ink. I’ve seen beautiful, $500 original posters turned into faded, blueish ghosts because they were hung across from a window. If you’re going to display a piece of history, protect it.
Common Misconceptions About Sizing
"Standard" poster size in the US is 24x36 inches.
But Nintendo is a Japanese company.
Their original promotional materials follow "B" or "A" series paper sizes. A true Japanese B2 poster is roughly 20x28 inches. If you buy a frame before the poster arrives, you’re going to have a bad time. You'll end up with a huge gap or, worse, you'll have to trim the edges of a rare collectible.
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Never trim the poster. Ever.
Just get a custom mat. It makes the whole thing look more expensive anyway.
Taking Action: Your Zelda Wall Plan
If you're ready to finally get that Ocarina of Time poster up, don't just click the first "Buy Now" button you see.
First, decide on your vibe. Do you want "Old School Retail" (the 1998 promo), "Clean Modern" (the 3DS art), or "Artistic Fan-Made" (minimalist silhouettes)?
Once you decide, check the dimensions. If it’s a weird size, budget an extra $40 for a decent frame and a custom mat. If you're going for an original 1998 print, ask the seller for a photo of the back. You're looking for "yellowing" or "foxing." A perfectly white back on a 25-year-old poster is a major red flag—it’s likely a modern reprint being sold as an antique.
Go for the thickest paper stock you can find. Your future self, looking at that perfectly flat, non-rippled Link on the wall, will thank you.
Basically, treat it like an artifact. Because at this point, that’s exactly what it is.
To get started, search specifically for "B2 Zelda 64 promotional poster" on international auction sites to see the difference in quality compared to what you find on standard retail sites. If the price is over $100, ensure you're seeing high-resolution photos of the corners and edges to check for "color breaking" on the folds. For modern prints, prioritize "Giclée" printing methods, as these use archival inks that won't fade within a decade. Once you have the print, measure it twice before ordering a frame with UV-filtering acrylic rather than standard glass to keep the weight down and the protection up.