Introduction #
I was quite young when Ocarina of Time came out. To be honest I don't even really remember my first experience of the game. My mom played through it while I watched over many many sessions. She always mentions "That damn shadow temple!" when we talk about those times. I wish I had a photo or video of one of those nights.
Some time before the release of majora's mask I have slightly more vivid memories of "playing" through the game with my baby sitter Carolyn. I use the term playing loosely because it was mostly Carolyn playing while I watched. She would hand the controller over to me whenever we got to a big chest so I could enthusiastically hit the A button.
I have fragmented memories of the afternoons at Carolyn's house. The smells of Pizza Hut, Mandarin Cranberry candle, and I'm pretty sure she had a dog. Not to get too far off topic. It's just something that comes to mind when I think about Ocarina of Time.
I have a few more random memories of playing the original game that come to mind:
- Riding Epona around in hyrule field. My grandparents were watching and I remember them laughing and yelling, "smack her butt" when I'd feed Epona a carrot
- Playing on a weird CRT at my Aunt Deb's that had a weird ghosting artifact
- Playing over RF on a crappy CRT one weekend when I was visiting my Dad
I'm not actual sure when I completed my own first playthrough of the game. I remember doing a playthrough on a really crappy PC running PJ64 some time around 2005 when my Dad and Step Mom were living in the farm house. I didn't have a USB controller or adapater so I actually played through a ton of the game on keyboard.
Gamecube Releases #
I remember being so excited when we got this bonus game for pre-ordering Wind Waker at Walmart.
This version of the game might be the first one I actually beat on my own. I've heard people say the gamecube releases were
buggy and crashed a lot but I never had that experience.
Released later the same year (2003). I must have convinced my parents that I needed this version of the game too.
I probably played through the game on this copy a few times. It was also my introduction to Zelda 1,
and Zelda 2.
Favorite Quotes #
The flow of time is always cruel... its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it... A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days...
The flow of time is always cruel... its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it... A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days...
I've been waiting for you, Hero of Time.
Time passes, people move...Like a river's flow, it never ends. A childish mind will turn to noble ambition... Young love will become deep affection... The clear water's surface reflects growth...
It is something that grows over time... a true friendship. A feeling in the heart that becomes even stronger through time... The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power and through it, you'll know which way to go...
As I see you standing there, holding the mythical Master Sword, you really do look like the legendary Hero of Time...
How inconsiderate! How could you leave me behind?! If you're a man, act like one! Take responsibility!
You...You're late! What took you so long? You're useless! I was just lonely, that's all... Just a little!!
You're that worried about me? Then I will give you the honor of carrying me! However...I won't leave until I find the thing I'm looking for. You'd better believe me!
Did my most precious possession help you in your quest? Heehee!
They say that players who select the "HOLD" option for "Z TARGETING" are the real "Zelda players!"
Oh! Oh-oh! C'mon! Come on! Come on! Come on! HOT!!! What a hot beat! WHOOOOAH! YEEEEAH! YAHOOO!!
Don't forget... Now you and I are now true Brothers!
Speedruns & Glitches #
Ocarina of Time is also my favorite speed game. I remember looking up "video game cheat codes" as a kid and learning some of the early discovered glitches. Things like bottle duping, swordless link, and cartridge tilting.
The first proper speedrun I watched was runnerguy2489's 100% run at AGDQ 2013.
Then from the same AGDQ event Cosmo's any% run blew my mind. The whole game in 22:38?? WTF
To be continued...