The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Japanese: ゼルダの伝説 時のオカリナ Zeruda no Densetsu Toki no Okarina), is the fifth title in the series and first to be presented in 3D. Originally intended as a launch title for Nintendo 64 in 1996, it released in November 1998 in Japan and North America, and December that year in Europe. Ocarina of Time has since been rereleased on the Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo iQue, and Wii’s Virtual Console. A special version of the game was released on Nintendo GameCube under The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest. The game is the same as the original, with completely redone dungeons and enemies with higher artificial intelligence.

Ocarina of Time is univerally hailed as one of the greatest games of all time, and considered by most to be one of the few titles to truly transition an originally 2D series into 3D. In-game features such as target-locking and real-time cutscenes as opposed to prerendered full motion video have since been the standard in action-adventure games. Its soundtrack, composed entirely by Nintendo in-house composer Koji Kondo, is called as one of the most memorable of any video game upon and since release. Ocarina of Time has since sold 7.2 million copies, making it the best-selling game in the series and the best selling game in the United States upon release, selling 2.5 million copies one month before the year’s end. The title has received numerous perfect review scores and industry awards; it is the first video game to receive a perfect 40/40 score by Japanese gaming publication Famitsu, multiple Game of the Year awards, and often times at the top of top 10 games of all time lists.

A long time ago…

Before life began, before the world had form, three golden goddesses descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. They were Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom and Farore, the Goddess of Courage.

Din, with her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the earth. Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the world. Farore’s rich soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.

These three great goddesses returned to the heavens, leaving behind the golden sacred Triforce. Since then, the Triforce has become the basis for Hyrule’s providence. Where the Triforce stood became sacred land.

In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule, the Great Deku Tree served as the guardian spirit. The children of the forest, the Kokiri, lived with the Great Deku Tree. Each Kokiri has his or her own guardian fairy, except one.

His name was Link.

Early one morning, Link was having a bad nightmare. It was the same nightmare he had every night. During a storm, Link would find himself standing in front of a mysterious castle. A rider on horseback, carrying a girl, would race by. The girl would look at link as if to say something. Then, another rider would appear. This big man clad in back would look down menacingly at Link. Link would then awaken.

"Link! Hey, get up, Link! The Great Deku Tree wants to talk to you!"

As link opened his eyes, he saw a fairy floating in front of him. This fairy’s name was Navi. Navi was sent to summon Link to the Great Deku Tree.

"Oh Navi, thou hast returned!" said the Deku Tree. "Thank you, Link, for coming. Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares. A vile climate pervades this world. Verily, ye have felt it. The time has come to test thine courage. I have been cursed. I need you to dispel the curse with your wisdom and courage. Art thou prepared?"

Link entered the Deku Tree and broke the curse.

"Well done, Link! I knew that the were worthy of carrying out my wishes. A wicked man of the desert cast this dreadful curse on me. Employing his vile, sourcerous energies, the evil one is searching for the Sacred Realm connected to Hyrule. For it is there that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, that contains the essence of the Gods. Whoever holds the Triforce can make their wishes come true. Thou must never allow the desert man to lay his hands on the sacred Triforce. Thou must never suffer that man to enter the Sacred Realm of legend. Link, go now to Hyrule Castle. There, ye will surely meet the princess of Destiny. Present this stone to the Princess. I have foreseen that she will understand everything."

The Great Deku Tree gave Link the Spiritual Stone of the forest. Before dying, the Deku Tree’s last words were, "The future depends on thee, Link. Thou art courageous."