Ocarina of Time Remake Temple Order & Story Walkthrough: Child Era, Adult Era

Based on the original skeleton

This is a full remake of the 1998 Nintendo 64 game, keeping the story, the two eras and the dungeon structure of the original.Official

The route below follows the original so you know roughly where to go next. The remake may change tutorials, dialogue order or individual boss details, so follow the in-game version if it differs. Nintendo has not itemised any changes to temple order or boss details. If the controls still feel new, read the beginner guide first.

Child era: the three Spiritual Stones

1. Kokiri Forest

• Buy the Deku Shield and complete the maze minigame for the Kokiri Sword.
• Get past Mido and enter the Great Deku Tree.
• Practise jumping, dashing, lock-on and the camera before going deeper.

2. Inside the Great Deku Tree

The first dungeon. Get the map, compass, slingshot and boss key, then beat Queen Gohma: hit her eye with the slingshot and attack while she is down. This earns the first Spiritual Stone.

3. Hyrule Castle and Kakariko Village

• Sneak into the castle, meet Zelda and receive the Fairy Ocarina and Zelda's Lullaby.
• Learn Epona's Song at Lon Lon Ranch.
• Learn the Sun's Song at the Kakariko graveyard.
• Meet Darunia at Death Mountain and play Saria's Song to calm him down.

4. Dodongo's Cavern

The second dungeon, ending in Goron's Ruby. The boss is King Dodongo: block the roll with your shield, throw a bomb into its mouth when it inhales, then attack while it is down.

5. Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly

The third dungeon, entered from Zora's Domain. Carry Ruto through the dungeon and earn Zora's Sapphire. The boss is Barinade: use the boomerang to cut the electric tentacles, then attack the body.

6. Temple of Time and the seven-year sleep

With all three Spiritual Stones, play the Song of Time at the Temple of Time, open the Door of Time and pull the Master Sword. Link sleeps for seven years and wakes as an adult.

Adult era: six Sages and five temples

The Adult goal is to awaken the Sages and open Ganon's Castle. This is the common order; some temples can be swapped, so follow the in-game version if it differs.

Recommended temple order and flexible swaps

Two rules cause most of the confusion. The Shadow Temple needs the Lens of Truth first, which you get as Child Link at the Kakariko well. The Spirit Temple has a Child half and an Adult half, so you switch eras inside it.

Forest Temple

• Enter from Kokiri Forest with the Minuet of Forest.
• Boss Phantom Ganon: hit the energy orb back at him, then attack while he is down.
• Earn the Forest Medallion and awaken Saria.

Fire Temple

• Enter from Death Mountain with the Bolero of Fire.
• Get the Goron Tunic for fire protection before going deeper.
• Boss Volvagia: hit the head when it emerges and dodge the falling rocks when it flies.
• Earn the Fire Medallion and awaken Darunia.

Water Temple

The easiest temple to get lost in. The core mechanic is a three-level water height: the same door leads to different areas depending on the level.

• Get the map and compass and read the three-floor layout first.
• Do not flip every switch you see. Decide which route you need at the current level.
• Expect to move back and forth through the central pillar and underwater passages. Note the floors if you keep losing track.
• Boss Morpha: pull it out of the water with the hookshot, then attack the core.

Earn the Water Medallion and awaken Ruto.

Shadow Temple

• As Child Link, enter the Kakariko Village well and get the Lens of Truth.
• The Shadow Temple is full of hidden platforms and false walls. Turn on the Lens of Truth at each new room.
• Boss Bongo Bongo: use the Lens of Truth to track it, hit both hands, then the eye.
• Earn the Shadow Medallion and awaken Impa.

Spirit Temple

• Warp to the desert with the Requiem of Spirit.
• The temple has a Child half and an Adult half. Child Link clears the first part, Adult Link the second, so expect to switch eras.
• Boss Twinrova: attack one sister, then the other when she lands. Reflect the ice and fire attacks with your shield.
• Earn the Spirit Medallion and awaken Nabooru.

Ganon's Castle and the final battle

• The castle has six trials, each tied to one Sage's ability.
• The final battle is Ganondorf, then Ganon.
• Restock potions, arrows and bombs before entering. Do not go in at half health with an empty inventory.

General dungeon method

1. Get the map and compass first so you know the floors, chests and boss location.
2. Do not waste small keys. Note every locked door before spending one.
3. Each dungeon gives you a key item. Once you have it, ask which previously blocked path it opens.
4. Top up before the boss. Use fairies, potions and Heart Pieces before entering the boss room, not after.
5. Use warp songs. Once the Adult era opens them up, cross-map travel gets much cheaper.

Common sticking points

• Not sure where to go next: check Threads of Time first, then look for a missed conversation or item.
• Circling the Water Temple: stop and sketch the three water levels instead of flipping switches at random.
• Cannot see the path in the Shadow Temple: the Lens of Truth is mandatory, not optional.
• Locked out of the Spirit Temple's second half: check whether you are Child or Adult Link. The temple requires both.
• Short on resources for the final battle: make a shop and ranch run before entering the castle.

Next, read the ocarina songs and learn the warp and puzzle songs first.