Letters to the Editor

3/15/99

Today has been a very special day at the Hyrule News Headquarters, as Shigeru Miyamoto payed us a visit on his way to the Game Developer's Conference in San Jose. Seeing the Zelda mastermind just a few feet from my desk was pretty cool, even for the Editor of the Hyrule News. As Mr. Miyamoto signed autographs and posed for the flashbulbs like a rock star, I realized that it's been two weeks since my last column! The great one was rushed away by a life-sized Mario before I could ask for an exclusive interview, but I'm an editor, not a reporter! Nintendo Power writer Jason Leung had the opportunity to interview Mr. Miyamoto back in November, so if you missed that great Q&A;, I recommend that you check it out!

So now, basking in the light of his reflected glory, let's see what you crazy questers have been up to this week.

Hello there Ed,
I just found your column and let me start by saying it's quite keen. Also, I think the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is perhaps one of the greatest video game experiences ever created. I'm a 19 year old college student and I go to school an hour and a half away from home, so whenever I get home to get in my Zelda time I am quite pleased. Sadly, my 64 cannot make the trip up here to my school as I would have no substantial viewing apparatus. Anyway, on to a quick question I have for you that I hope will settle a small debate between me and my brother (a 21 year old college student, how sad are we?). After playing through the game the first time, he started a new quest and named it by the only true name it can be, Link. After doing this, he believes that when Navi targets an enemy, of her various calls to action there includes one where she cries, "Link!" This after my brother played the game the first time and believed she was not saying that. Well, I think she's saying "Look!" although in a funny, Luke-sort-of pronunciation. Any opinions on that?
Sincerely,
-- Sammy 000

Ed: In the original The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System, entering your name as ZELDA would give you immediate access to the second quest. Ocarina of Time is the fourth sequel to the original Zelda, and none of the other games contain any codes related to entering your name. So contrary to your brother's beliefs, Navi utters the same thing ("Look") no matter what you choose as your name. Players still searching for Triforce clues can now rule out any internet rumor beginning with, "First enter your name as Link."

Dear Editor (can I call you Ed?),
This is a list that describes many people: the top 10 signs you've been playing too much Zelda 64!

10. You've developed a TV tan.
9. Your hands have molded to the contours of the controller.
8. You look for your ocarina whenever you drive by some horses.
7. When you get hurt, you hack every bush in sight and try to explain to the angry neighbors that they will grow back.
6. You smash rocks whenever you're out of money.
5. You set all the trees on fire and wait for something to happen.
4. You keep running into walls and mumble something about the "Lens of Truth."
3. Your parents catch you worshiping Din, Nayru, and Farore.
2. You dive in the pool wearing a blue shirt and expect to be able to hold your breath forever.
1. You are caught stealing money from the wishing wells in malls and you try to explain you're "diving for rupees."

And yes, I know, any contributions are made sole property and copyright of Nintendo of America and cannot be returned and NOA reserves the right to edit it and copy it and all that junk. ; ) Just kidding, I just hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
-- David (Dhsu)

Ed: Thanks, Dhsu. It's nice to see a little comedy mixed in with the letters about the color of Link's underwear. I was so inspired by your list that I decided to make one of my own. The top 10 signs you've been playing too much Zelda 64:

10. You keep inexplicably finding yourself in the tights aisle at K Mart.
9. You refuse to eat fish, citing religious reasons stemming from Jabu-Jabu-ism.
8. When your basketball coach tells you to try a hook shot, things get messy.
7. You start hangin' with the local grave digger.
6. You become the founding member of your school's "Ocarina Appreciation Society."
5. The bumper sticker on your car reads, "When Deku Nuts are outlawed, only outlaws will have Deku Nuts."
4. Each household spider you step on receives a thorough autopsy.
3. You can no longer eat a bucket of chicken outdoors without a friend to watch your back.
2. You ruin Thanksgiving dinner by impressing your parents with a whirling blade technique.
1. You find the Triforce! That is, you begin to hallucinate.

If there are any other budding comedians out there, why not come up with a top 10 list of your own and send them to editor@zelda64.com. Be sure to put "Top 10" in the subject line, and your list could be posted in my next column.

Dear Ed,
PLEASE answer my question! I have asked everyone numerous times over and over, and I have looked on soooooo many sites, and I still could not find the answer!!!! I MUST KNOW what the max of each item you can get is, especially Deku Sticks, and Deku Nuts. I NEED TO KNOW!!!!!!!! Ed, what I'm trying to say is, is that if you put this question in your column, and answer it, it would make me the happiest person alive!!!!!
-- LinkFrek

Ed: Nothing makes me more joyous than making others happy, so if I answer your question, I'll be the happiest person alive. I obviously have no other choice than to spill the beans. The maximum number of Deku Nuts is 40, but you'll have to find two upgrades to reach this number. The first upgrade is found by bombing a boulder next to the entrance to the Sacred Meadow. The second upgrade is found in the Lost Woods near a solitary tree. If you walk around the butterflies by the tree, you'll fall through a hole into an area called the Forest Stage. Equip the Mask of Truth and have a conversation with one of the creatures that appears.

The maximum number of Deku Seeds is 40. One upgrade can be won in the Market's Shooting Gallery, and the other is in the Lost Woods. From the entrance of the Lost Woods, take the first right. Use your Fairy Slingshot to shoot the round wooden target, and if you get three bullseyes in a row you'll receive an upgrade.

The maximum number of Deku Sticks is also 30, and both upgrades can be found in the Lost Woods. To find the first upgrade, enter the Lost Woods and take the left tunnel twice. Drop down, and follow the right wall to a Business Scrub. Once you defeat him you'll have to pay 40 Rupees to carry more Sticks. To find the second upgrade, return to the area called the Forest Stage. This time equip the Skull Mask and talk to the far-right bush.

The maximum number of Arrowsis 50. Upgrades can be earned at the Shooting Gallery in Kakariko Village, and at the Archery Challenge at the Gerudo Fortress.

You'll be able to carry 40 Bombs once you locate both Bomb Bags. One Bag is found in the Market's Bombchu Bowling Alley, and the other is found in Goron City. As a child, go to the middle level of Goron City where Hot Rod Goron is rolling around. Use a bomb on the rolling Goron when he is next to the sign that mentions his name, and when he stops he'll offer the next Bomb Bag.

Yo Ed!
OK, for all you sinister and hungry Zelda 64 fans out there, this is for you:
Hyrule Fried Cucco
Take out your Hookshot and harpoon a Cucco. Hurry and jump on your horse before the other Cuccos try to harm you. Next take out your Fire Arrow and burn him until he's just right. Invite your friends to have a Cucco cookout (will need more then one Cucco)! Don't forget the Lon Lon Milk. If there are leftovers just use Ice Arrows.
Next week I'll tell you what that owl is for....hehe...
-- Agent 0007

Ed: I've lost my appetite.

Hi Mr. Ed Itor,
After growing up to Adult Link and getting the hookshot and Epona, I try to return to the Sacred Meadow in the Lost Woods to see Saria as instructed by Navi. Mido is blocking my path, much like he did in the beginning of the game when he refused to let child Link enter Hyrule Field. Did I do something wrong? Did I not do something? How can I get Mido to step aside and let me by? I am spinning my wheels and getting very frustrated at doing so. I mean c'mon, I got so upset that I even bombed Mido, but he just stands there and tells me that Saria has instructed him not to let anyone enter The Sacred Meadow. Ed, Please help me, I can't take it anymore!!!!!
Sincerely,
-- Stuck in the middle of Nowhere.

Ed: So, you want to make some serious progress when you play? I'm not exactly sure how to gain Saria's confidence, but it most likely involves one of your songs.

Dear Editor
There is something new I figured out. Do a roll attack on a tree. It should give you a bunch of money and special weapons. It is really really really really really reeeaaaalllly really really cool.
-- Lisa & Danny

Ed: Cool! Thanks Lisa & Danny. This is a secret that I never discovered during my journeys. I tried cutting trees and using other special weapons, but I gave up when these techniques didn't work. For some reason, I never thought about rolling into the trees. I was probably too worried about fracturing Link's skull. Hopefully this trick will help some of you hard-up Hyrulians.

Hey Ed,
I made it to the Forest Temple and I beat all the ghost so I went down the thing where the boss is and I can't get to him because there is a gate that I can't get by. I've tried everything and nothing works. Can you help me out and tell me how to get through it?
--Leslie S.

Ed: The one crucial element that you're missing is that you can actually push the stone outcroppings that appear in the room. This tip alone will probably get you to the boss, but I'll provide more detailed instructions just in case. Stand on the right side of one of the stone outcroppings and push the wall counterclockwise once. This will reveal a new hallway and allow you to step on a switch. Return to the main room and push the wall counterclockwise once more. Another switch will be revealed. After pressing the switch, push the wall counterclockwise twice. Enter the open doorway and step on the last floor switch to open the gate. Essentially, experimentation is the key.

Dear Editor,
Where are all the holes for the seeds you buy from the Bean Boy?
--Link667

Ed: Get out your Dixie cups, because the fountain of knowledge is about to boil over. Those of you who would rather find all of the bean holes on your own should skip to the next question (duh). You can get your gardening groove on at the following locations:

Kokiri Forest (next to the shop)
Lost Woods (two locations)
Kakariko Village (in the Graveyard)
Death Mountain (at the entrance to Dodongo's Cavern)
Zora's River (next to the Bean Boy)
Lake Hylia (next to the house)
Gerudo Valley (walk to the Gerudo standing guard and drop off the right side to land on a ledge along the river)
Death Mountain Crater (near the entrance to the Fire Temple, beside the Triforce symbol)
Desert Colossus (next to the entrance to the Spirit Temple)

Dear Ed,
I desperately need help with Gerudo Fortress. I've freed three of the carpenters, but I can't find the fourth carpenter anywhere. Please help.
--Link.

Ed: I'm not sure which carpenter you're missing, but there is one prisoner in particular that is responsible for most players' headaches. I'll assume that this is the carpenter you're lacking. Start off in the prison cell, and hookshot up to the window. Drop down and to the left to enter the door on the first level. Facing the jail cell, go through the door on the right to appear back outside. Go through the next door, and take the first right. Use your Bow to stun the Gerudo at the end of the hallway. Continue to the stunned Gerudo and shoot the other Gerudos in the room. Once the guards are snoozing, cross to the other side of the room and go up the ramp to appear outside. Face the door Link appeared from, and drop off the ledge to the left. Enter the door, and you'll have to stun a guard as soon as you enter the fortress. Once she's stunned, take the first right and then the first left. The next hallway will lead to the missing carpenter.

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