How the adventure is structured
Ocarina of Time is split into two halves. You start as a boy in Kokiri Forest and later travel seven years into the future, where you play as an adult. After the time jump you can switch between both ages whenever you like, and many puzzles, items and collectibles require a specific age.
Part 1: the child and the three Spiritual Stones
As a child you collect the three Spiritual Stones, each awarded for clearing a dungeon:
- Kokiri's Emerald – Inside the Deku Tree (boss: Queen Gohma)
- Goron's Ruby – Dodongo's Cavern (boss: King Dodongo)
- Zora's Sapphire – Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly (boss: Barinade)
With all three stones you receive the Ocarina of Time and learn the Song of Time, which opens the Door of Time in the Temple of Time. Pulling the Master Sword from its pedestal sends Link seven years ahead.
Part 2: the adult and the six medallions
As an adult you receive the Light Medallion from Rauru in the Chamber of Sages, then awaken the remaining Sages by clearing five temples:
| Temple | Boss | Medallion |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Temple | Phantom Ganon | Forest Medallion |
| Fire Temple | Volvagia | Fire Medallion |
| Water Temple | Morpha | Water Medallion |
| Shadow Temple | Bongo Bongo | Shadow Medallion |
| Spirit Temple | Twinrova | Spirit Medallion |
After that you receive the Light Arrows in the Temple of Time and storm Ganon's Castle.
Switching ages
Time travel happens at the Master Sword pedestal in the Temple of Time. Returning the Master Sword to its pedestal turns you back into a child; pulling it out again makes you an adult. Some items stay in your inventory but can only be used by one age (for example, the Kokiri Sword and Slingshot are child-only, the Bow and Hookshot are adult-only).
Smaller dungeons
Besides the main dungeons there are three smaller areas: Bottom of the Well (child, gives the Lens of Truth), Ice Cavern (adult, gives the Iron Boots) and the Gerudo Training Ground (adult, gives the Ice Arrow). The first two are required in the normal story; the Training Ground is optional.
What is Master Quest?
Master Quest is a remixed version of the game. The overworld stays the same, but all twelve dungeons are rearranged: rooms keep their basic layout while puzzles, enemies, switches and chest contents change. Dungeon items are still found in their dungeon, but often in a different room and with different requirements. See the Master Quest guide for details.
What the 3DS version adds
- Items, equipment and maps are managed on the touch screen.
- You can aim the Slingshot, Bow and Hookshot by moving the system (gyro aiming).
- Sheikah Stones show hint videos if you get stuck; one stands next to Link's house.
- Link's bed lets you re-fight bosses you have already beaten.
- Master Quest is included and unlocks after you finish the main game. On 3DS it is mirrored left-to-right and enemies deal double damage.
- Some item names differ from the Nintendo 64 version, e.g. the Stone of Agony is called the Shard of Agony, the Odd Potion is the Odd Poultice and the Gerudo's Card is the Gerudo Token.
Using the Child and Adult maps
- The world looks different before and after the time jump, so the app offers a separate map for each age. Pick the map that matches the age you are currently playing.
- A marker on the Child map can be collected as a child, a marker on the Adult map as an adult. Some locations appear on both because they can be reached at either age.
- Dungeon contents differ between the original game and Master Quest, so the two versions have separate dungeon markers.
- Gold Skulltulas that only appear at night are a common reason for an "empty" spot – come back after dark.
- Check off markers as you collect them to see at a glance what is still missing in an area.