Even though The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time released more than two decades ago for the Nintendo 64, fans are still returning to this game for the sake of nostalgia and hunting for secrets. It’s crazy to think that after all these years, hidden areas are still being uncovered in this classical game. If anything, this only makes a good game even better.
Whether it’s a Nintendo Art Museum, secret merchants, or a cow hiding underground, here are some of the most intriguing hidden areas in one of the most popular Zelda games ever made that you may not have been aware of after all this time.
10 Medigoron’s Workshop
The rock people known as the Goron’s are a tough group. No matter the tragedy or the disasters that befall the land they have found a way to survive and assist Link on his adventures. In Ocarina Of Time, the player has the chance to meet a few in Goron City.
What many players didn’t know is there was a secret merchant hiding in town. On the third floor of the city, behind a destructible wall was a path leading to Medigoron’s Workshop. If you visit him as Adult Link he’ll sell you the Giant Knife for 200 Rupees.
9 Nintendo Art Museum
The Hyrule/Ganon Castle is large, but the player really only investigates a portion of it during their adventure in Ocarina of Time. Given this, it’s no surprise the developers created hidden rooms that they could tuck secrets into.
One of the more interesting is the Nintendo Art Museum located adjacent to the Castle Courtyard. To the right of the courtyard players can peek through the windows by jumping into the water to get glimpse of some interesting artwork. With a few jumps, you’ll be able to see Yoshi, Daisy, Mario, Bowser, and Luigi.
8 Imprisoned Shark
As Adult Link, players can assist the Lake Scientist with experiments regarding the lake. One task has him diving over and over into a pool in the lab to see how far down he goes. Using the Golden Scale, the player can reach the bottom and find an interesting secret.
In addition to getting the Piece of Heart, the player will also see a shark behind a cage. It doesn’t move and the scientist never talks about it. It’s unclear what its purpose is, but players were glad he wasn’t a mad scientist who opened the gate when you got down there.
7 Castle Scrubs
Inside of Ganon’s castle is a store many players probably weren’t aware of but would have benefited them greatly before the impending boss fight. In the center of the castle on the lower level, players could use the Lens Of Truth to reveal the hidden secret.
It’s a room with multiple fairies and four Business Scrubs. These Business Scrubs will attack at first, but if Link can knock the projectiles back they’ll settle down and sell you their wares. It’s a great way to stock up before the big fight, but know they’ll be a bit pricier than reputable merchants.
6 Windmill Treasure
On the outskirts of Kakariko Village is a large windmill and for many players, this was little more than an iconic landmark. It turns out that if you view the building in first person mode you’ll see a portion that has fallen away revealing a hidden room.
Using a Longshot, players can access this room and find a Cucco and some Rupees. It’s worth the side trip for the Rupees, so as long as you don’t antagonize the Cucco or you’ll regret it.
5 Lava Heart
This was one of those secrets that surprised fans when it was revealed several years after the game had come out. Located in Dodongo’s Cavern is a large lavafall that at first glance doesn’t seem terribly interesting.
While many waterfalls have secrets hidden behind them many players naturally assumed jumping into flowing lava was a bad idea and few tried it. It turns out that not only would the player not be injured by this particular lavafall, but there was a room hidden behind it containing a full heart.
4 Hidden Cow
Bombs were valuable weapons in Ocarina of Time but they also served as efficient keys for unlocking the hidden areas. One example is an interesting hole hidden at the top of Death Mountain Trail. There was a red flag with a large boulder next to it, and an explosion would reveal the secret.
For whatever reason, underneath this boulder inside a hole are some Rupees, hearts, and a cow. How the cow got there is unknown. Perhaps some resident didn’t want Ganon to get it so he stuck it under the boulder, who knows. Either way it’s a great source of some cash, healing, and milk.
3 Biggoron Workshop
It turns out Medigoron has an older brother named Biggoron, who’s a much more talented blacksmith. Located at the top of Death Mountain next to the Great Fairy Fountaian, this behemoth will craft a powerful weapon in exchange for a few favors.
If Link provides him the Broken Goron’s Sword and some eyedrops for the big guy’s irritated eyes, he’ll craft it into Biggoron’s Sword. This weapon deals twice the damage of the Master Sword and has great durability. The only downside is it’s two handed so you won’t have a shield, which might be an issue depending on your playstyle.
2 Empty Oasis
This hidden place is a boring find at first, but with some puzzle work it's actually a neat interactive area. In Desert Colossus, the player can find a dry oasis with two palm trees a rock, and a hole in the ground where a pool once was.
If players stand on the rock Navi will start blinking like crazy, suggesting something important can happen here. It turns out if the player uses the Ocarina to play the Song of Storms water will return to the area and fill up the Oasis for the rest of the game.
1 Forest Stage
Probably the most interesting hidden area is in the confusing Lost Woods. If players can successfully puzzle out how to explore this area, they may find a clearing with a solitary tree and some flowers. The flowers conceal a stage hidden underground.
Down there is a group of Scrubs waiting to be entertained. If Link is wearing the Skull Mask and plays Saria’s Song, the Scrubs will go crazy and the player will get an upgrade to increase the amount of Deku Sticks they can carry. The Mask Of Truth also works, but the Spooky Mask will make them hostile and no upgrade is given.