Mastering Epona and Collectibles in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Unlock your trusty steed and track down hidden Gold Skulltulas across the vast Hyrule kingdom.
1Acquiring Your Loyal Steed
To obtain Epona, you must first visit Lon Lon Ranch as a child. After waking Talon, speak with Malon to learn Epona’s Song, played by inputting the sequence X-Y-A-X-Y-A on your ocarina. While this summons the horse, Link cannot ride her until he matures into an adult later in the game.
2Winning the Ranch Race
As an adult, return to the renamed Ingo Ranch and pay 20 rupees to enter the field. Summon Epona with the song and challenge Ingo to a race. By sticking to the inside track and impeding his path early, you can secure victory against him twice to eventually claim the horse.
3Escaping the Ranch Gates
After losing the second race, Ingo will lock you inside the ranch premises. To successfully claim Epona as your own, you must circle the track and jump over the wooden gate. Once you escape, Epona becomes permanently available, allowing you to summon her anywhere in Hyrule Field or Gerudo Fortress.
4Strategic Horseback Utility
Epona serves as a vital tool for traversing the expansive Hyrule Field, significantly reducing travel time between major zones. While her movement is restricted to specific areas like the field and Gerudo Fortress, she remains the most efficient method for navigating the game world during your quest to defeat Ganondorf.
5Tracking Gold Skulltulas
Beyond horseback riding, completionists must hunt for Gold Skulltula tokens hidden throughout the environment. Specifically, eight of these creatures are located across Zora Domain, Zora River, and Zora Fountain. Finding them requires careful exploration and revisiting these locations during different story stages as both child and adult Link.
6Essential Exploration Tools
Successfully locating every Gold Skulltula requires preparation and specific inventory items. You must stock up on bottled bugs to flush out hidden enemies and Magic Beans to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. These mechanics are essential for players aiming for 100% completion within the remake’s complex and interconnected world map.
7Navigating World Changes
The game’s progression relies heavily on the transition between childhood and adulthood. Many areas, including Lon Lon Ranch, undergo significant structural changes as the story advances. Players must remain observant of these environmental shifts, as certain collectibles and interactions are only available during specific phases of Link’s life journey.
8Completionist Gameplay Path
Mastering Ocarina of Time involves balancing main quest objectives, like dungeon navigation, with side activities like finding Pieces of Heart or Gold Skulltulas. Whether you are racing Ingo for your horse or planting Magic Beans, these tasks provide the depth required to fully experience the remake’s vast, secrets-filled landscape.
Original article: Polygon — Mastering Epona and Collectibles in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time