Letters to the Editor

1/22/99

Greetings, Hyrulian questers! Like millions of other agitated adventurers, have you been wondering how to get your hands on the elusive Triforce? It seems like the 'Net is crawling with rumors about this glorious golden treasure, so the Hyrule News has decided to squeal like a pig and let out the truth. This, gameplay advice, and basic ranting and raving in this week's column. Let's see what you crazy questers have been up to this week.

Dear Ed,
How do i get into the bottom of the well to get the lens of truth? I have been stuck on it for weeks now.
-- MDS700

Ed: I'd put you out of your misery, MD, but I answered that question last week! You can link to previous editions of Letters to the Editor at the bottom of this article. A little research will reveal the truth.

Hey Ed!
Your fountain of knowledge and wisdom will be tested...I have some questions about "the game of the century" that I've been wondering about. First off...can you actually sell something to that begging man (you know...the one on his knees, doing his "we're not worthy" bows)? If so, what item(s) can you sell? Secondly, regarding the soft patches of soil where you plant the magical beans. I've found 8 areas to plant them...are there any more I'm missing? I don't wanna buy any more beans unless I know they can still serve any purpose after finding those 8 patches. I guess that just about does it. If I think of any more questions, I'll be sure to ask again :-) --Phil
PS - In a totally unrelated related topic, is it any coincidence that video game god Shigeru Miamoto bears the same initials as Super Mario?

Ed: Get your cup ready because my "fountain of knowledge" is about to boil over. The beggar dude is rather pitiful, but at least he's not asking for a hand-out. Even though it seems like he should be spending his money on food, the straggler is only interested in buying things that come in bottles. Try various things to see what he likes best. If you search Hyrule more thoroughly, you'll find two more places that are primed and ready for a bean deposit. The last two beans will cost you 190 Rupees collectively, but that's pocket change for an adventuring hero. Is it coincidence that Shigeru Miamoto and Super Mario share the same initials? The world may never know.

Dear Ed,
I've beaten the game, I have EVERY item and I've completed the mini-games. Is there something else that I can do? -- Fay Ferran

Ed: Other than standing on Death Mountain for an "Ocarina Under the Stars" concert, there is only one other thing to do. I want to stress to all players that this technique should only be used by true Zelda masters who have conquered every aspect of the game. I guarantee that you will have many more hours of gameplay if you follow these directions exactly:

1. Turn on your N64
2. When the title screen appears, press Start
3. Press down on the Control Stick precisely four times
4. Press the A Button
5. Highlight your file
6. Press the A Button
7. Press up on the Control Stick once
8. Press the A Button.
If you have the guts, I double dog dare you to go for it.

Ed!
I've just about had enough of not being able to get into dampe's grave. How do you do it? I've killed all the poes and been into the royal families tomb but I still can't get his stretching and shrinking secret. Any tips gratefully received. -- torie dieppe

Ed: Yo Torie! Forget about the Royal Family Tomb and move over to the left side of the graveyard. You'll find Dampé's hideout by moving a tombstone decorated with flowers. It's no piece of cake earning the "stretching and shrinking secret", but finding Dampé is the real challenge.

Hi there,
I am standing at the entrance of the Shadow Temple trying to light all of the torches with my fire arrows (without any success). I didn't go to the fairy near Hyrule Castle to get the Din's Fire magic and now after Zelda has been taken away I can't even pass the gate to the castle ( The guard who once wanted 10 R to get me in won't let me now). Is there any way to get Din's Fire now? Please help.
Thank You in Advance,
Adlez

Ed: Unlike you and I, adult Link has the luxury of reliving his childhood. As long as you've completed the Forest Temple, you can return to the Temple of Time and cash in on a return ticket to the past. Once you regain your youthful form, sneak past the guard the same way you did when you originally entered the castle. Bomb the rock that's just past the gate, and you'll be blessed with Din's Fire. Note to first time players: go after this magical spell as soon as you earn the bombs.

Dear Ed,
I can't figure out how to get to the upper parts of the village, where two of the chickens are. Also, one chicken is inside of a box that I can't move. The Boss's son seems to be blocking one entryway, and other approaches don't let me climb or jump. Should I keep trying this, or does Link need something from later in the game to succeed? --Gerald Spangrude

Ed: As soon as you enter Kakariko Village, you're equipped with all you need to gather all seven cuccos. When I initially tried to get the cuccos that are behind the fence, I ended up beating my head against the wall. When I discovered the secret, I nearly cried tears of joy. Here's the deal: if you jump off a ledge while holding a cucco, the bird's frantic wing-flapping allows Link to briefly float through the air. Position Link near the door to the Windmill, looking at the cucco behind the fence. To the left of the fence is a platform with a small railing built around the edges. While holding a cucco, walk off the ledge and head for the corner of that railing. This will put you on the other side of the fence and give you access to the frustrating foul. To get the cucco in the box, simply attack it. I give you this knowledge trusting that you will use it for good and not for evil (be nice to the cuccos).

Dear Ed,
I'm in the Dodongo's Cavern, in the room with the moving blades on the floor. All of the exits are blocked with rocks, and I can't get the bomb plant to any of them!! How do I get out? -- Hyperion

Ed: Regardless of what television teaches, nothing shaves as close as a blade. When you enter this dangerous room, carefully jump down to the ground and make your way straight ahead to the box by the ladder. Climb the ladder, turn around on the narrow edge, and you'll notice that there is a Bomb Flower and a small chest directly in front of you. It appears that the distance is too great for Link to jump across, but you'll make it if you try. Then throw the Bomb at the wall, timing your toss to explode near the door. Good Luck.

Ed-
Lots of girls like Link. There is Saria, Ruto, Zelda, and Malon. Who do you think Link would eventually end up with, if the game continued? -- Austin H.

Ed: I like the way you think, Austin. Not satisfied with the information that the game provides, you speculate and ponder the subtle undercurrents of the game's many sub plots. It's true that Link has better luck in love than myself, and he has many potential romantic interests. I'd throw Princess Ruto out of the running first because she's not even the same species as Link. Sure she's cute, but it's a classic Tom Hanks/Darryl Hannah scenario from Splash. It would never work. Saria is also an unlikely candidate because her Kokiri blood would never allow her to grow old. You know that Link doesn't want to spend his older years watching Teletubbies. Malon is an excellent prospect for a steamy love affair, and I can even envision the two dating (a candle light roast cucco dinner, then a romantic stroll by Lake Hylia). Eventually, though, I'm willing to bet that Link would get a little bored with a common farm girl. Zelda offers link a Royal connection, plus the prospect of future adventures when she (inevitably) gets captured again by Gannon(dorf). Link would be a fool to choose anyone other than Zelda. Of course, never once have I claimed to be Chuck Woolery.

Greetings,
While surfing the web in search of that elusive(at least in this game) item, i have run into many rumors. They range from plausable to the outrageously impossible. I figured the best thing to do would be to go straight to the source. Now i ask you this after spending many long days trying to figure it out on my own. Is there a Triforce in The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time? If so please tell me how i would go about obtaining it. If not just tell me that it isn't there(although i would hope nintendo followed the tradition of winning the trifoce in zelda games) so i can stop this maddening quest. thank you -- Burnman

Ed: I too have read the many rumors on the web regarding the possible presence of the wonderful Triforce, and I can tell you that I wouldn't waste my time trying the outlandish things often recommended. A lot of sites claim to have inside information from NOA employees, but strangely enough no one I know has managed to find the Triforce! No one has ever been able to confirm collecting the Triforce. My best answer to your question is that it is impossible to get the Triforce. I consulted Zelda translator and Hyrulian expert Dan Owsen about this controversial matter, and he guaranteed me that he wrote no screen text for Link finding the Triforce. That's straight from the horse's mouth, folks. In fairness, though, I feel obligated to mention that this does not prove that the Triforce is unattainable. It's possible, I guess, that Link could be struck speechless when the Triforce is acquired. I doubt it, though. Don't believe any rumors unless you read it here. I swear to my readers that if the Triforce is ever found and confirmed by our expert Game Play Counselors, I will immediately spill the beans in a special article in the Hyrule News section. I don't think that day will ever come, but an editor must be cautious, must he not?

Dear Ed,
I quote frrom the Link to the Past instruction manual, page #5. "The name of this king of thieves is Ganondorf Dragmire, but he is known by his alias, Mandrag Ganon, which means Ganon of the Enchanted Thieves." So you see Ganondorfs Alias as known by the Gerudos is Mandrag Ganon or Ganon which explains why the castles name is Ganon's castle. Now here's what I'd like to know, how come if you destroy say 19 skulutas as a kid, the become an adult and kill one skulluta so you have 20. Then travel back as a kid and two guys are cured. YOU KILLED ONE IN THE FUTURE! how is this possible? -- Domino

Ed: Thanks for the insight on Ganon's Castle. Bonus points for citing your references. Time travel is a slippery subject that's hard to grip firmly. I agree that it seems impossible that Skulltulas killed in the future are registered in the past, but really we know nothing of the nature of the Gold Skulltulas. What is the magic bond that seals the Gold Skulltulas to the cursed humans? Is it possible that the magic is so powerful that it does not adhere to our concept of the passage of time? This is a possibility, but I believe your beef stems from the fact that it wasn't explained in the game. It would be great if these minor time travel problems were thoroughly explained in the screen text, but with all of the questions that naturally pop up, you'd be reading a book rather than playing a game! Also, I think it's safe to assume that hammering out these details would most likely have delayed the game even more. So which would you prefer: having to use your imagination to formulate your own hypotheses on these interesting issues, or waiting another six months to play the game?

Since some of the gameplay advice in this column may not come in handy for you until you progress deeper in the game, I've decided to archive the old articles. Check the editions below to see if your question has already been addressed. --Ed

Send your theories, questions, concerns and complaints to: editor@zelda64.com