Break the six barriers, climb the tower and complete the original Ocarina of Time story.
Cross the sages' bridge
Visit the Temple of Time after all five adult temples to receive the Light Arrows. Refill arrows, magic and bottles, then go where Hyrule Castle stood. Approach the broken staircase at the chasm: the sages create a rainbow bridge. Enter and pass the Beamos to the barrier chamber.
Shadow trial: obtain the Golden Gauntlets
Take the purple-marked door first. Longshot to the chest, then light the torch with a Fire Arrow to reveal temporary platforms. Cross with the Hover Boots. Use the Lens for the hidden path, reach the lower floor switch and press it. Longshot to the large chest it creates and take the Golden Gauntlets.
Shadow trial: destroy the orb
Follow the other invisible path to the rusty switch and hammer it. Reach the opened door using the Lens. Shoot the barrier orb with a Light Arrow. Every trial ends this way; ordinary arrows cannot destroy an orb.
Forest trial: master the fans
Defeat the Wolfos. Light the lower torches with Din's Fire and the high torch with a Fire Arrow. In the fan room, gather all five silver rupees with the Hover Boots; use Iron Boots when you need to resist the wind. Bomb the Beamos and press the floor switch to raise the Longshot target beneath the high rupee. Enter and destroy the green orb.
Water trial: solve the ice blocks
Defeat the Freezards, bottle blue fire, melt the red ice and refill before leaving. In the timed block room, push the far block into the hole. Use it as a stopper for the remaining block: slide that block toward the filled hole, then toward the back and across beneath the high red-ice ledge. Climb, melt the ice, hammer the switch and destroy the blue orb.
Fire trial: lift the great pillar
Equip the Goron Tunic. Collect five silver rupees across the lava platforms; keep moving on sinking sections. The Golden Gauntlets let you lift the huge pillar, exposing one rupee and creating access toward another. Use the Longshot target near the exit after collecting all five, then destroy the red orb.
Light trial: distrust the empty room
Lift the huge pillar blocking the yellow-marked door. Use the Lens to find and defeat invisible Keese and a Skulltula; take the key from the revealed chest. Unlock the route, play Zelda's Lullaby on the Triforce for another key, then collect the five silver rupees in the boulder room, including the one under the ceiling target. Beyond, run through the false back wall and destroy the real yellow orb.
Spirit trial: use light and a Bombchu
Bomb the Beamos and move the statues to collect the silver rupees around the blade traps. In the next room, strike the close crystal for Bombchus. Send one up the fence and through the gap to the farther switch. In the sun room, shoot a Fire Arrow at the web overhead, then reflect sunlight onto the correct sun beside the passage you entered through. Avoid the Wallmaster and destroy the orange orb.
Prepare for the tower
With all six barriers gone, refill before entering the central tower. A Lens-revealed opening on the lower outer wall hides fairies and merchants. You may also leave the castle, lift the giant pillar outside and visit the Great Fairy for enhanced defense; this upgrade is helpful but optional.
Climb through the final guards
Defeat the Dinolfos, then the Stalfos on the next combat floor and take the Boss Key. Continue to the two Iron Knuckles; wake one at a time if possible. Unlock the boss door and climb the last staircase. Leave the pots below intact for emergency supplies.
Break Ganondorf's defenses
Stay near the arena's outside edge. Return his energy ball with sword swings until it hits him, then immediately shoot a Light Arrow. Cross to his platform and strike while he is stunned; retreat before he recovers. For the clustered magic attack, dodge or return it with a timed spin. If you fall, refill from the pots and climb back using the central pillar.
Follow Zelda out of the tower
After the fight, follow Zelda through the collapsing tower before the timer runs out. Stop at gates so she can open them. When fire traps her, defeat both Stalfos quickly. Continue outside, then approach the rubble to trigger the last battle.
Recover the Master Sword
Ganon knocks the Master Sword beyond the fire. Use the Megaton Hammer, or Biggoron's Sword if you earned it, against his tail. A Light Arrow to his face creates an opening; move behind him and attack. When he collapses and the flames fall, retrieve and equip the Master Sword.
Finish the battle
Continue reaching his tail after stunning or evading him. Keep enough magic for useful Light Arrows; rolling beneath him is another way around when the opening is clear. When Zelda restrains him, approach and use the Master Sword for the final blow. Let the ending play.
Ganondorf → Ganon
Ganondorf requires two linked openings: win the energy volley, then land a Light Arrow before moving in with the sword.
Ganon's tail is vulnerable. During the first phase the Hammer substitutes for your missing sword; retrieve the Master Sword as soon as Zelda calls you, and use it for the finishing strike.
Ready for the next horizon?
Check steps as you go, or mark this entire chapter complete when you finish it in the game.
Notes from the archive.
- The Golden Gauntlets from the Shadow trial are required in the Fire and Light routes, so collect them first.
- Keep your Hylian Shield available if buying from the hidden Deku merchants: the Mirror Shield does not reflect their nuts.
- This completes the main story. Optional collectibles and side quests remain separate from this walkthrough's completion meter.
Walkthrough references
This independent route covers the original Nintendo 64 main story. Consult the credited guides for alternate paths and additional collectibles.
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