The countdown is on until The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake touches down on the Switch 2 this November. As part of the many ways we’re celebrating this celebrated title’s “rebirth”, I wanted to share my top ten quotes from the game. For those that are Ocarina of Time veterans, most of the bone-chilling ones come from the mysterious Sheik, but I have also included other ones that are iconic to the game, be it funny, foreboding, or just flat out memorable.
Note: This is an almost 30-year old game, so some quotes may contain only mild spoilers, but I avoided major ones for the uninitiated.
10. “In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule… Long have I served as the guardian spirit… I am known as the Deku Tree…” -The Great Deku Tree
Speaking of iconic, this quote is the first thing you see once you begin the game. There is no background music and only a dark screen. There is a gravity in the words and in the way they were presented, which makes it memorable than most first quotes. I’m curious to see if Nintendo will mimic the same tone or change it up in the remake.
9. “People are disgusting. My own father and mother are disgusting. You must be disgusting too.” -Grog
There is a gaunt, creepy man in Kakariko Village at night during the Child Link portion of the game and boy does he say some dark stuff. There is little context as to why he jumped to conclusions thinking Link, a young innocent boy, is also “disgusting”. When I first played the game years ago, I thought he was just some weirdo, and perhaps he is, but as a grown adult, I reflect on that statement and am saddened that there are people in this world who have ruined perceptions of people based on a dark, and likely traumatic, past…
8. “Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares. As the servants of evil gain strength, a vile climate pervades the land and causes nightmares to those sensitive to it. Verily, thou hast felt it. Link… The time has come to test thy courage...” -The Great Deku Tree
This is another fantastic quote from the Great Deku tree. He speaks to the terrible nightmares Link has been experiencing (something you witness upon the starting the game), and it sets the tone of the epic journey Link is about to set on. Moreover, the theme here is courage, which is the part of the Triforce that later settles within our hero.
7. “Man, I am SO bored… Things would sure be more interesting if there were more… troubles in the world. Hey, that’s just between you and me, OK?” -Hyrule Guard
A Hyrule guard says this when you enter a room near the entrance to Hyrule Castle town. He then suggests to Link that he should smash some pots to cause some innocent mayhem (and gather rupees). The part that makes this memorable aside from the pot-smashing fun is the irony of what happens in seven years. Surely, the guard regrets saying that now.
6. “Past, present, future… The Master Sword is a ship with which you can sail upstream and downstream through time’s river.” -Sheik
This is one of many cryptic quotes from the mysterious Sheik, often lending words of wisdom to adult Link as he ventures from temple to temple. This one speaks directly to the time traveling game mechanic.
5. “I knew that you would leave the forest someday, Link… Because you are different from me and my friends. But that’s OK, because we’ll be friends forever, won’t we? I want you to have this Ocarina. Please take good care of it. When you play my Ocarina, I hope you will think of me and come back to the forest to visit.” -Saria
Saria is Link’s childhood friend. They both grew up in Kokiri Forest, and the day Link sets out on his adventure, there is a bittersweet farewell that will put you in the hurt locker a little later in the game.
4. “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.“ -Sheik
This is another Sheik quote, one they utter before teaching Link the Serenade of Water. There are some parallels to Link’s complicated relationship with Princess Ruto, and while humorous, it does reflect a lesson of maturing emotion.
3. “It is something that grows over time… a true friendship. A feeling in the heart that becomes stronger over time. The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power.” -Sheik
Starting to see a trend? Sheik says this when Link is about to enter the Fire Temple where Darunia, King of the Gorons, has headed to save his people from the vicious dragon, Volvagia. This quote speaks to another one of Link’s relationship, and that is this bond of brotherhood he established with King Darunia back when he was a child.
2. “Oh…I see. Saria won’t ever come back. But…I—I made a promise to Saria… If Link came back, I would be sure to tell him that Saria had been waiting for him… Because Saria…really… liked… Hey, you. If you see him somewhere, please let him know… And also… I’m sorry for being mean to him. Tell him that, too.” -Mido
If you are flying through the game, you may miss this one. Mido is a miserable chap, a Kokiri that didn’t like Link very much. He likely was jealous of his friendship with Saria and the fact the Great Deku Tree asked for Link’s help. When you grow up and vanquish the terrible foe haunting the Forest Temple, you can find Mido and speak with him one more time.
1. “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…” -Sheik
No quote can top this banger from Sheik. It possibly is the most favorited quote in the game and is referenced often alongside “It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this!” and, “You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you”.
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