The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a title that needs no introduction, and the same goes for its remake, which has just been released for the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s one of Link’s finest adventures, and a game that isn’t afraid to hide its best secrets behind layers of old-school game design that you’re going to have to peel back.
Granted, the revamped visuals and refinements can help erase some of the friction that came with the original release. But that doesn’t mean that this one isn’t going to have you running around in circles trying to piece together a solution to whatever new quandary it sets in your path.
To that end, we’ve put together a bunch of tips and tricks that should help you have an easier, and hopefully more enjoyable, time with the game. Let’s go!
1. Navigate Hyrule Faster
Remember that friction we mentioned earlier? Well, one of the ways it’s been taken out is that you now have the ability to dash after rolling by just holding down the input button. That should make getting around a lot easier in comparison to the original release.
Couple that with the ability to jump and even dive underwater, and you now have traversal mechanics that can make things quite engaging once you fall into the rhythm.
2. Keep Your Enemies In Your Sights And Listen To Navi
Navi’s quite a helpful companion, and she’s going to give you a rundown of an enemy’s strengths and weaknesses when you encounter a new type of foe to be defeated. It’s advisable to hear her out before you pick a fight, as it can eliminate a lot of frustrating trial and error.
Adding on to that, we recommend making sure you have all foes you’re fighting in your sights so you can better respond to attacks with defensive moves before you attempt to dish out some damage yourself.
3. Abuse Quick Swap!
Another welcome addition is the Quick Select item bar that lets you switch between useful tools in the midst of puzzles and encounters instead of forcing you to dive into an inventory screen at every turn.
A more streamlined approach to items means you’re going to have ones that matter to your gameplay, and you can switch between them using L and R, and press the ZR trigger to use the selected item.
4. Complete The Cucco Quest ASAP
When you get to Kakakiro Village, there’s a certain lady in the southwest region who’s going to need your help retrieving Cucco Birds, a species that is quite deadly and also great at escaping confinement. We’d suggest tracking them down as soon as you can. The good news is that they’re all in and around the village.
Know that a couple of them will need you to use one of the birds already in your custody to access the higher areas where you’ll spot them. It might seem tedious, but it’s certainly in your interest to finish this one, as the Empty Bottle you get as a reward can be used in so many important ways. We’ll leave you to discover its utility for yourself, but if you see a fairy, it’s a good idea to bring that bottle out. Trust us on this one!
5. Learn The Sun’s Song Early
Once you have Zelda’s Lullaby committed to muscle memory, you should consider visiting the Royal Family’s Tomb in Kakakiro’s graveyard. You’ll find the Sun Song there, and it’s a very useful tune to have in your back pocket.
It helps change the time of day, which can be very handy when you’re trying to achieve goals that require either the sun or the moon before you can proceed. That applies to shops, collectibles, and even a few side activities, so nab it sooner rather than later.
6. Prioritize Wallet Upgrades
If you explore Kakiro further (why wouldn’t you?), you’re sure to find the Skulltula’s House, where you’re tasked with collecting as many Skulltulas as you can find in the world. Some of them are well-hidden, and it can be a challenge to figure out how to get to them, but the rewards for doing so far outweigh the time and effort you’re going to invest in the activity.
Get ten of them for the Adult Wallet upgrade, which lets you have up to 500 Rupees in your possession. We’d recommend chasing this goal down and then ensuring you get to 30, which doubles that number. The Hyrule Castle are great places to start your search, as both locations can reward you with five Skulltulas if you’re diligent enough.
7. Learn Epona’s Song ASAP
Lon Lon Ranch and Malon are names you should remember as you make your way through the story. Visiting the ranch and talking to Malon during the day is going to let you meet Epona, your trusty steed, although she’s only a foal when you first meet her during your childhood.
She’s a very strong companion for Link when he’s an Adult, as you’re invulnerable to damage while riding her and she can help you clear large gaps when the world is trying to hold you back from exploring too much of it.
8. Check The Threads of Time If You’re Lost
This is a new feature introduced in the remake, and you can use it by bringing up the Pause menu and navigating to the Threads of Time tab. It’s a sort of visual novel that depicts your adventure as it unfolds and can be quite handy, as it gives you helpful tips about where to go next in case you’re at a loss trying to figure things out.
It could even help you tease out more optional objectives as you hit certain milestones, which should help with exploring as much of the world as you can.
9. Deku Nuts Can Be Potent Weapons In The Right Situations
Deku Nuts might not seem like much, but they’re very useful in a pinch. They’re essentially a fantasy flashbang grenade, and you can use them to stun enemies when you think you’re being overwhelmed. Enemies that are stunned take more damage from your sword strikes, and the lack of a wind-up makes them an instant solution to any problems you’re facing.
They work on a bunch of different enemies too, so having a few equipped to one of your Quick Slots is sure to save you from some unpleasant situations as long as you’re strategic about using them.
10. Know When To Attack And Back Off
If you’re the type who likes to swing with your sword first and ask questions later, you’re going to want to temper your worst instincts, as an all-gunz-blazing approach simply doesn’t cut it in this game’s combat.
Instead, look for the right opportunities to strike and watch enemy defences before you commit to an attack. The tutorial Gohma boss is a great example of this, and the remake makes it very easy to spot when the Queen is going to strike and when she’s vulnerable to your own attacks. A bit of patience, and you’re going to be the last one standing in most of the battles you face.
11. Get The Echo Gem
If you’re having trouble detecting Skulltullas out in the wild, you should visit the Skulltulla House when you have twenty of them in your possession, as doing so nets you the Echo Gem. This useful tool lets you find any Gold Skulltulas nearby through light and sound, and can make farming the remaining ten you need for the wallet upgrade a whole lot easier.
It works well with regional map counts and searching at night, making farming Skulltulas something that isn’t a chore anymore.
12. Use Your Cash On Great Fairy Upgrades
There’s a reason we’ve emphasized upgrading your wallet as soon as we can. They give you very useful stuff like your Magic Meter and spells like Din’s Fire, and are definitely worth setting aside enough Rupees for.
You’re looking for Perdestals throughout the world where playing Zelda’s Song summons the fairy, after which you can begin trading for those upgrades. Nayru’s Love is a particularly useful one to have in case the combat is giving you problems but each one is so darn useful you’ll want to get them all as soon as you can.
13. Unlock Access To Pierre
Pierre the Scarecrow is going to help you reach items, secrets, and collectibles that would otherwise be out of your reach, but summoning him requires that you know the Scarecrow’s Song. That’s easily done by visiting Lake Hylia as Young Link and finding the two scarecrows near a patch of dirt at the lakeside Laboratory.
Compose an eight-note tune of your own that Bonooru memorizes, ensuring that you commit it to memory. Then, replay it as Adult Link, and he’ll recognize you and unlock access to Pierre.
14. Use The Iron Boots
The Water location comes with a reputation that’s almost as legendary as the boss fight that’s waiting for you above its central platform. However, you might want to explore it as thoroughly as you can to ensure you’re seeing everything it has to offer.
That’s easier said than done, but the Iron Boots that you’ll need to access it in the first place are very handy for navigating the place and making your way through all the watery places it houses. There’s an upgrade to your Hookshot waiting for you at the end of the line in case you need the added motivation.
15. The Hall of Fallen Heroes Is A Great Place For Some Training
The best warriors are the ones who accept that they are always learning, and are humble enough to realize that even the best skills are no substitute for some old-fashioned training and an intelligent strategy.
The Hall of Fallen Heroes allows Link to fight bosses he’s defeated again, while also serving as a repository of knowledge about enemies you’ve faced. Use it to study attack patterns and tailor your approach to better tackle the challenges that lie ahead on your path.
And that’s about it for this one. We can’t wait to enjoy returning to Ocarina of Time again, and if this is your first time, the remake is surely the finest way to enjoy an already great game.
