What is Master Quest?
Master Quest is a harder remix of Ocarina of Time. The story, the overworld, the songs and the side quests are exactly the same. Only the twelve dungeons change:
- Inside the Deku Tree, Dodongo's Cavern, Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly
- Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow and Spirit Temple
- Bottom of the Well, Ice Cavern, Gerudo Training Ground, Ganon's Castle
The rooms keep their basic shape and connections, but puzzles, switches, enemies and chest contents are rearranged. Bosses and their rewards stay the same. Each dungeon still holds its usual main item, but usually in a different chest with different requirements.
On the 3DS, Master Quest unlocks after you finish the main game. It is mirrored left-to-right and enemies deal double damage.
Where the main items are in Master Quest
| Dungeon | Item | Master Quest location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deku Tree | Fairy Slingshot | Slingshot chest | In the main area of the tree; you need a way to fight (any child weapon) to open it. |
| Dodongo's Cavern | Bomb Bag | Bomb Bag chest | Dodongo's Cavern MQ also contains a Hylian Shield chest. |
| Jabu-Jabu's Belly | Boomerang | Boomerang chest | The MQ version also contains a cow that gives milk if you play Epona's Song. |
| Bottom of the Well | Lens of Truth | Lens of Truth chest | Needs 2 small keys and explosives. |
| Forest Temple | Fairy Bow | Bow chest | |
| Fire Temple | Megaton Hammer | Megaton Hammer chest | Behind a locked door on the entrance floor instead of near the top; much of the temple can only be explored after you have the hammer. Fire Temple MQ also has a Hylian Shield chest. |
| Ice Cavern | Iron Boots | Iron Boots chest | The Piece of Heart needs explosives here. |
| Water Temple | Longshot | Longshot chest | Reached with the Hookshot after lowering the water. |
| Shadow Temple | Hover Boots | Hover Boots chest | In the Dead Hand area; needs the Song of Time and the Bow. |
| Spirit Temple | Silver Gauntlets, Mirror Shield | Silver Gauntlets chest, Mirror Shield chest | Same two chests on the Colossus hands, but reached by different routes; the Mirror Shield needs the Lens of Truth. |
| Gerudo Training Ground | Ice Arrow | Ice Arrow chest | Needs only 3 small keys plus the Megaton Hammer (the original needs all 9 keys). |
| Ganon's Castle | Golden Gauntlets | Spirit Trial chest | Moved from the Shadow Trial to the Spirit Trial. |
Boss keys
- Forest Temple MQ Boss Key
- Fire Temple MQ Boss Key – needs a fire source, the Bow and the Hookshot.
- Water Temple MQ Boss Key – needs Din's Fire.
- Shadow Temple MQ Boss Key – needs all 6 small keys and Din's Fire.
- Spirit Temple MQ Boss Key – needs the Mirror Shield.
- The Ganon's Tower Boss Key chest is the same in both versions.
Small keys: original vs. Master Quest
| Dungeon | Original | Master Quest |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Temple | 5 | 6 |
| Fire Temple | 8 | 5 |
| Water Temple | 6 | 2 |
| Shadow Temple | 5 | 6 |
| Spirit Temple | 5 | 7 |
| Bottom of the Well | 3 | 2 |
| Gerudo Training Ground | 9 | 3 |
| Ganon's Castle | 2 | 3 |
The Deku Tree, Dodongo's Cavern, Jabu-Jabu's Belly and the Ice Cavern have no small keys in either version.
Tips for Master Quest
- Gold Skulltulas: every dungeon has the same number as in the original game, but in different places, so the total is still 100.
- Dungeons often expect items earlier than you might think (for example, explosives or fire sources). If you are stuck, come back later with more equipment.
- Use the Master Quest dungeon markers in the app – the original markers do not apply inside MQ dungeons.