While Ocarina Of Time will always be remembered for its gameplay, story, and attention seeking fairy (I can't stand Navi), people often forget that other elements are often left untouched. Sure, we all restored peace to Hyrule more than a dozen of times, but have we indeed explored all of its secrets? Even 20 years after its initial release, players are still uncovering many pieces of information that alter the way we're playing the game. Thanks to the web, fans are now sharing their findings to the world much to the delight of other gamers. Hardcore fans are even competing to complete the game at a time record for bragging rights. To this end, we propose you 25 awesome areas in Ocarina of Time that you might've had no idea about. While there may be some areas that you will already be aware of, we offer you some secrets that we believe will make you want to revisit them. After all, it will give you a good reason to unplug your current gen console, dust off that old Nintendo 64 of yours, and relive the 90s era.
As always, feel free to comment, or share the article. We also encourage you to write about your findings. Hearing about your love for the game is always welcome. With that said, its time to party like it was 1998!
24 The Most Valuable Heart
After completing Ocarina of Time a dozen times, you probably know the game as much as the alphabet. To counter their boredom, many gamers attempt to speedrun the game as quickly as possible, by using the numerous bugs that have been left in the game. We believe that one of its glitches may renew your attention, in regard to the Fire Temple and the Water Temple.
Discovered nearly 20 years after OoT's initial release, Link can complete both temples with any tunic, should they only have a quarter of a heart left. Apparently, the game fails to respect the system's logic and will fail to initiate the heat or the drowning timer. Thanks to this glitch, hardcore gamers are challenging themselves by completing both temples without getting hit once.
23 I Went In The Laboratory Pool And All I Saw Was A Lousy Shark
The Lakeside Laboratory is often a location that is being ignored by gamers. While this scientific building doesn't offer much to the official story, it's still a stress-free place for players to hang out—away from the daily stress of saving the world. While the laboratory itself is very impressive, the pool remains its most remarkable attraction. If Grown-Up Link hits the pool with the Iron Boots - and preferably the Zora Tunic- equipped, they'll be able to get to the bottom of it and notice a 2D version of a shark, behind a cage. While it doesn't do anything particular, it's a bit odd for a scientist to put this kind of fish in a prison when it's supposed to get studied in the first place.
22 And It Was Under The Lava, All Along!
Many will remember Dodongo's Cavern, thanks in part to the Lizalfos mini-boss. Though the handicap duel was a very entertaining one, we're mostly interested in its fighting stage as it holds an interesting location that was discovered years after the initial build of the game. When entering the room, if players jump head straight on the lavafall, not only will they not lose any energy, but they will land on a platform. Sadly, players will only find a recovery heart, which is probably not worth the excitement. Despite that, it's still nice to see that Ocarina of Time still has undiscovered secrets that are waiting to be found. Maybe the developers planned to put something interesting here and forgot.
21 Palm Trees And Bombs For The Win
While Desert Colossus may only seem like a simple path to head to the Spirit's Temple, it actually offers more than what you may initially think. It is where you'll acquire one of the most potent spells in the game. When entering the Desert Colossus, just head to the right where you'll find two palm trees and a little hill. If players detonate a bomb nearby the mountain, in between the palm trees, they'll open up a path to a Fairy Fountain.
Simply talk to the Great Fairy, and she'll bless you with Nayru's Love.
This spell creates a magical barrier that protects you from taking any damages from enemies, at the cost of your magic meter. While you may have finished Ocarina of Time a while ago, a little detour to the past has never hurt anyone!
20 Fill Me Up, Buttercup!
Nayru's Love is only a fraction of what you can discover in the Desert Colossus. The area also offers some landmarks that are very akin to these kinds of places. While they are mostly left by developers to give the players a taste of the environment, it is also possible to interact with a few of them. When you arrive the place, head to the left side. Upon entering, you will see a path that will lead to an empty oasis. If you go nearby it, Navi will start to glow green and will flash on a rock.
If players play the Song of Storms while stepping on the stone, the dry oasis will then fill up with water.
Though it doesn't do anything special, it adds more glamour to the place, don't you think?
19 An Art Exhibition In Her Highness' Courtyard
Though Ganondorf's evil power has dramatically corrupted Hyrule's land, Hyrule Castle has undoubtedly been its most affected location. The once glorious royal structure has now become a dungeon of sorts. Even the place has been renamed, Ganon Castle. When players first meet Princess Zelda in the Castle's Courtyard, they'll notice some interesting areas that are inaccessible to the players, at the side windows. On the right side, players will see paintings of different characters.
In the Nintendo 64 version of the game, these paintings represent the main characters of fellow Super Mario Bros cast (Mario, Luigi, Bowser and Princess Peach).
Should players throw a slingshot projectile at the window, they'll get 20 Rupees. Still, to this day, I'm still wondering why I was rewarded know for vandalizing such an important place.
18 Merry-Go 'Round, Kakariko!
Kakariko Village is apparently full of surprises. One of the few towns in the game, the village also serves as a checkpoint mark to anyone that wants to climb the Mountain Trail. The windmill serves as one of its most recognizable landmarks. While players can only view it when they're roaming in the village, It is possible to venture inside of it. If players look at the windmill in the first-person view, they'll notice a little opening.
If players were to aim at the bottom of the opening with the Longshot, they would be able to reach the platform.
Except for a few Rupees and a Cucco, the location doesn't offer much. We, however, recommend you to head there during sunset for a spectacular view of the village.
17 Lost Woods Like You Never Knew Before
For the casual gamers, Lost Woods may bring a high level of frustration due to the numerous times they had to restart for not finding the right path (A-M-A-T-E-U-R-S). Also, the forest doesn't bring much excitement, compared to the other locations of the game. For the hardcore fans, however, The Lost Woods is more than a simple forest as it holds many connections to The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask, the follow-up title of Ocarina of Time.
For starters, the woods is home to the only known portal to Termina —the world where Majora's Mask is set.
Also, it is strongly believed that the Skull Kid that appears in Ocarina of Time during Link's childhood, is the same one that was in Majora's Mask, as he refers —during Majora's Mask epilogue-- that a "fairy boy" taught him a song in the woods. With that in mind, we hope you won't see the Lost Woods as a lifeless forest again!
16 Hope And Business At The Wrong Place
For Ocarina of Time's veteran players, reaching Ganon's Castle also means reaching the end of the game. Our satisfaction at knowing the game's conclusion often clouds our will of exploring the castle, itself. With that said, most gamers forget to uncover some of its mysterious secrets. If players get onto the central area of Ganon's Castle, they'd need to jump down to the lower level of the room. From there, use the Lens Of Truth and scout the area. You'll find a secret room with plenty of fairies and four Business Scrubs. Defeating these Dekus will allow you to buy different items to aid you in overcoming Ganondorf. On another note, I find it extremely awkward to see anyone do business in a place like this!
15 Shooting Targets And Skull Kid On Display
While we mentioned that Lost Woods was a significant area in the Hero of Time saga, there is one particular place that stands out in the forest. When entering the Lost Woods as Young Link, directly head to the right, and you'll see a wooden target. Should you shoot three bullseyes in it, a Deku Scrub will appear and will give you a bigger Deku Seed Bullet Bag, which will increase your maximum bullet capacity to another 10. Should you head down the shooting practice and keep exploring the Lost Woods, you will find a Skull Kid. As referenced in the Lost Woods entry, it is the supposedly the same antagonist from Majora's Mask. Should you play him the Saria's Song, he'll give you a Piece of Heart. Such a lovely memento before its sudden change of heart.
14 Oh, My Cow!
Hidden holes add an exciting layer to Ocarina Of Time, as you never know what you're going to end up finding inside of them. From simple Rupees to enemies, our curiosity is primarily the main reason why we decide to venture through them. Though the loots are relatively the same, one hidden hole managed to capture our attention. If Link manages to go near the top of the Death Mountain Trail, there should be a boulder near a red flag. If the Hero blows up the rock, a hidden hole should appear.
Inside of it, you'll find some hearts, rupees, and a cow!
Quite an odd place to find one isn't it. If you play Epona Song next to the animal, it will give you some milk— given that you have an empty bottle. Such a shrewd move, Nintendo.
13 A Bridge Full Of Rupees
Ok, so you might be wondering what's so exciting about Hyrule Castle's drawbridge. You've seen it; you've walked on it, and you even got whooped by Ganondorf, nearby it.
So what makes this location so noteworthy? The money!
Young Link can only access the place. If players walk on the raising chains (yes, its possible to do) during the day, they will be able to reach the bridge's highpoint. From then, Young Link can either play the Sun Song or wait until the end of the day to have the bridge levered up. From there, you can walk across the other side of the bridge's end to gain 60 hidden Rupees. Not bad, is it?
12 Welcome To Medigoron's Workshop!
Goron City is home to the Goron community. When Young Link first ventures into the area, there are a few places that he can easily access. However, many casual gamers aren't giving much attention to Medigoron's (the local blacksmith) workshop. To go to his store, players must proceed to the third floor of the city. Once there, they'd need to blow out the blocked path with bombs. Once done, follow the road and you'll arrive in Medigoron's workshop. As Young Link, Medigoron will only hint to you that he's forging a new sword, but it will take him "five or six years to complete."
If players come back as Grown-Up Link, he'll sell you his finished blade–the Giant Knife— for 200 rupees.
While the sword is stronger than the Master's Sword, it's durability remains its weakest spot as the sword breaks after a determined number of hits. We sure hope that Medigoron's workshop will not be ignored in your next OoT playthrough.
11 And There's Biggoron, Too!
If you thought Medigoron was the tallest Goron, then think again. There is an even mightier Goron that sits atop the Mountain. I guess Goron City's layout would've been different if he was residing there, but that would have to be for another article subject. Should you decide to reach the summit, you will arrive at Biggoron's workshop.
The jumbo Goron proves to be Medigoron's older brother.
Though he always boasts his blacksmith skills, he's also responsible for crafting the strongest weapon of the game, the Biggoron Sword. Players often miss the giant Goron because of its location. From the moment we reach Goron City, we often forget to explore the Mountain area. Lesson learned, Nintendo!
10 At The Bottom Of The Sea
Zora's Domain holds both awards for the most jaw-dropping and the most frustrating area of the game. While the water-city is a real gem to the eyes, it also keeps the infuriating third dungeon of the game—Inside of Jabu-Jabu's Belly—. When Young Link gets to Zora's Fountain, the area features a watery path to access Jabu-Jabu's altar. In Grown-Up Link's era, the place is snowing and is instead filled with cold water with some icy platforms leading to the Ice Cavern.
If players were to equip themselves with the Iron Boots and the Zora Tunic, they'd be able to go to the bottom of the Fountain. While casual gamers mostly ignore this area, you can quickly get a Piece of Heart just by exploring it. Such is the power of "blue scuba-diving."
9 Spirit Temple For All The Wrong Reasons
When I look at the Spirit Temple, I'm thinking about the numerous times I've spent trying to solve this dungeon and the numbers of retries I've spent trying to defeat Twinrova (don't judge me). While this temple is far from being my favorite one, it is home to one of the most questionable landmarks of the game: The Spirit Statue. Though the sculpture depicts an attractive young woman, it is more of what players can "do" to the statue that makes it a bit uncomfortable.
If Grown-Up Link shoots the Longshot to one side of the statue's chest, he'll be able to go in that sensitive area.
Though it doesn't do anything, in particular, this monument is a must-destination for any dirtied-minded players.
8 It's Time To Make Your House Your Home
You may be wondering why Link's house is part of this list. After all, you start your quest there and chances are that you'll never go back in it, once you set foot outside.
However, casual players often don't know that Link's casa may be flipped as a "mini-barn."
If Young Link goes to Lon Lon Ranch and beats Malon's record of her obstacle challenge, she'll deliver a cow to your crib. You'll then be able to replenish your hearts— if you play Epona song next to it— and stack up on health, should you have a bottle. With a mini barn and the unlimited Rupee locations of this list, we can affirm that Link is now part of the wealthy 1% of Hyrule.
7 That Skyward Sword Condo Life
While the female warriors may be the first you have in mind when they hear about Gerudo Fortress, my numerous jail times is the most significant thing that I can remember. It took me about 43 prison stays (so unproud to say) before freeing every carpenter. The advantage of it is that I knew the whole layout of the fortress. When that knowledge can transfer itself onto the 3DS remake of the game, then you're in for new found secrets.
If players manage to get to the hideout at the upper left side of the fortress, they will be a few box crates. Destroy the two lined up box crates to unveil a painting of Link from Skyward Sword. Yup, you've read right. While we're still patiently waiting for a remake of the game on the go, we'll have to console ourselves with this easter egg.
6 That Hole In Gerudo
If you still own a Nintendo 64 (though it's time to upgrade for your sake), saved the carpenters from the Gerudos, but lack a Rumble Pak and a Stone of Agony, chances are that you've missed a hidden hole. We can't blame you because we'd probably have done the same, twenty years ago.
To uncover the secret hole, Link must head behind the Carpenters Tent and play the Song of Storms; the hole will then appear. There should be two Business Scrubs waiting at the bottom. The left Scrub will sell you a Red Potion, while the right one will sell you a Green Potion for 40 Rupees, each. While we're sure you can find less pricey substitutes, it's still nice to see two merchants in the area. Ok, maybe not!
5 Greed At The House Of Skulltula
One of the best Ocarina Of Time mini-quest remains the Gold Skultulas Token quest. In a nutshell, players must gain 100 tokens by exterminating the Golden Skulltulas scattered throughout the game. The number of findings directly affects the Fabulous Rich Family who lives in The House of Skulltula, located in Kakariko Village.
The story has it that the wealthy family was cursed because of their greed.
For every 10 Tokens collected, one of the family members will be freed from the curse and will give you an item to reward you (up until 50 Tokens are acquired). Once the player finds all of the 100 Tokens, the family's patriarch will be lifted off its curse and will reward you with 200 rupees. What's great about it is that you can come back and claim this same amount an unlimited number of times. Although the House of Skulltula is not a hidden location, it is not required for players to visit it, to finish the game.