It’s been decades. Decades since we first stepped out into the blinding light of Hyrule Field, ears ringing with that iconic, looping trumpet theme. Honestly, it’s kind of wild that people are still searching for a guide Zelda Ocarina of Time players can actually rely on without getting bogged down in technical jargon or speedrunner-only glitches. Most walkthroughs you find online today are just sterile lists of instructions. Move here. Press A. Equip boots. But playing Ocarina of Time isn't a chore; it's a mood.
If you’re revisiting this masterpiece on the Nintendo Switch Online service or dusting off an old N64, you’ve probably realized that your muscle memory isn't what it used to be. You remember the big stuff—the Master Sword, the blue ocarina, the terrifying scream of a ReDead—but the actual path through the game? That’s where things get murky.
The Guide Zelda Ocarina of Time Players Actually Need for the Early Game
Most people think the game starts when you meet Great Deku Tree. Wrong. It starts the moment you realize Mido is a jerk and you need to find a sword in a hole in a wall. Finding the Kokiri Sword is the first real "test" of the game’s 3D spatial awareness. You have to crawl through a small tunnel, dodge a rolling boulder, and open a chest. It sounds simple now, but in 1998, this was a revolution in level design.
Once you’re inside the Deku Tree, the game is basically teaching you how to think in three dimensions. You aren't just walking forward; you're looking up at spiderwebs and down at sheer drops. The trick here is the slingshot. Don't hoard your seeds. Use them. The "Gohma" boss fight at the end is really just a lesson in manual aiming. Wait for the eye to turn red, hit it, then sword-jump.
Hyrule Field is where the game truly opens up, and it’s also where most players get lost. Pro tip: ignore the owls. Kaepora Gaebora talks too much. If you mash the A button to get through his dialogue, you’ll accidentally pick the "Repeat everything you just said" option because the developers were trolls. Just read slowly once and move on toward Hyrule Castle.
💡 You might also like: Stuck on the Connections hint June 13? Here is how to solve it without losing your mind
Why the Master Sword is a Trap
We all love the moment Link pulls the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time. It’s cinematic. It’s legendary. But from a gameplay perspective, becoming Adult Link is actually a massive spike in difficulty that catches people off guard. Suddenly, the world is bleak. The market is full of zombies.
A proper guide Zelda Ocarina of Time journey has to mention the importance of the hookshot. You get it by racing the ghost of Dampé the Gravekeeper in Kakariko Village. It is, hands down, the most important tool in your arsenal. Without it, you’re basically stuck.
The Forest Temple is the first "adult" dungeon, and it’s a masterpiece of atmosphere. The music is haunting, and the "twisted hallway" mechanic still holds up. Most people struggle with the Poe sisters. You have to find all four to light the torches in the elevator room. The trick to the final Poe sister? Look for the one that spins when she appears—that's the real one.
The Water Temple: It’s Not Actually That Hard
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Zora in the room. The Water Temple is infamous. People act like it’s a form of digital torture. It isn't. It’s just a test of your patience and your ability to remember where the water level switches are located.
📖 Related: GTA Vice City Cheat Switch: How to Make the Definitive Edition Actually Fun
The biggest mistake people make is missing the key underneath the floating block in the central pillar. When you raise the water to the middle level, a block floats up. Most players just keep going. Don't. Sink to the bottom of that central shaft. There’s a hole. There’s a key. That one single key is why 90% of players get stuck for three hours.
Dark Link is the other hurdle. This is one of the few fights in the game where "Z-targeting" (or L-targeting on modern controllers) can actually hurt you. Dark Link mirrors your movements. If you stab, he stabs. If you block, he blocks. The secret? Use Din's Fire. Or just use the Megaton Hammer. He can't mirror the hammer's overhead smash as easily as he can the Master Sword. It feels a bit like cheating, but hey, he’s a literal shadow of yourself. He deserves it.
The Items Nobody Uses (But Should)
There are several items in Hyrule that most players ignore because they aren't "required" to beat the game. That’s a mistake.
- The Lens of Truth: You get this in the Bottom of the Well as a kid. It’s terrifying, but the item is essential for the Shadow Temple.
- Biggoron’s Sword: It takes a long trading sequence involving a blue chicken and a saw, but it deals double the damage of the Master Sword. You can't use a shield with it, but who needs a shield when you're a whirlwind of destruction?
- Nayru’s Love: It’s a blue crystal that gives you a protective barrier. It’s hidden behind a cracked wall near the Spirit Temple. If you’re struggling with the final boss rush, this is a lifesaver.
The Spirit Temple is arguably the best dungeon in the game because it forces you to use both Child and Adult Link. You start as a kid to get the Silver Gauntlets, then return as an adult to finish the job. The Twinrova boss fight—Koume and Kotake—is purely about reflecting spells. Use the Mirror Shield to absorb three spells of the same element, then fire it back. Don't try to mix fire and ice; it’ll just blow up in your face.
👉 See also: Gothic Romance Outfit Dress to Impress: Why Everyone is Obsessed With This Vibe Right Now
Ganon's Castle and the Final Stretch
The final climb up Ganon's tower is a gauntlet of everything you’ve learned. Each room is themed after a previous dungeon. It’s a victory lap, really. When you finally reach Ganondorf, the fight is basically a deadly game of tennis.
A lot of players get frustrated here because they try to use the bow. Don't bother. Just play "Dead Man's Volley" with your sword until he’s stunned, then hit him with a Light Arrow. When you descend the collapsing castle with Zelda, don't stop to fight the enemies. Just run. Zelda will open the gates for you.
The final showdown with Ganon—the beast form—is all about the tail. He loses the Master Sword early on. Don't panic. Use the Megaton Hammer or the Biggoron's Sword to hit his tail. Once he’s down, Zelda will hold him with her light magic, and you can deliver the final blow.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Playthrough
- Get the Epona early. As soon as you become an adult, head to Lon Lon Ranch with some rupees. Beat Ingo in two races. You’ll save hours of walking across Hyrule Field.
- Bottle collecting is mandatory. You can find four bottles. One is in Lake Hylia (the message in a bottle), one is from the Cucco lady in Kakariko, one is from the Talon minigame at the ranch, and one is from catching Big Poes. Fill them with fairies. They are your "extra lives."
- Upgrade your magic meter. Visit the Great Fairy fountain at the top of Death Mountain (near the crater entrance) as a child. You’ll need the spin attack, but the magic meter is what lets you use the elemental arrows later.
- Learn the Scarecrow’s Song. Talk to the scarecrow at Lake Hylia as a child and play a custom 8-note song. Come back as an adult, play it again, and you can summon him in specific spots to use as a hookshot point. It opens up dozens of "secret" Heart Pieces.
The magic of Ocarina of Time isn't in following a list; it’s in the discovery. But having a solid strategy for the Water Temple and knowing which items to hunt for makes the experience way less frustrating. Go save Hyrule. Again. Or for the first time. It never gets old.