Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Development Insights Revealed in Newly Translated Interview

A newly available English translation of a historic 1998 GameJin magazine interview has unveiled fascinating details surrounding the development of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64.

The interview, featuring insights from series creator Shigeru Miyamoto, provides a rare glimpse into the creative choices and industry context that shaped what is often regarded as one of the greatest Nintendo titles of all time. Originally launched in November 1998 for the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was a groundbreaking title, introducing players to an expansive and immersive 3D world that set new standards for action-adventure games.

The game went on to achieve critical acclaim, selling over 7 million copies worldwide and influencing future entries not only in the Zelda franchise but throughout the gaming industry.

Reflecting on the game's development, this newly translated interview, prepared by Roryj and Javed Sterritt for the game history website Good Blood.Games, highlights several untold stories and significant inspirations that fueled the game's creative process. One of the most remarkable revelations from the interview concerns the character of Epona, Link’s iconic horse companion.

According to Miyamoto, there were initially differing ideas among the Nintendo development team regarding the ideal animal for Link to ride.

Some developers lobbied for him to ride a unicorn or even a moose before the team ultimately settled on a horse.

Miyamoto explained that during development, the decision was influenced, in part, by animations and wildlife present in the fantasy land of Hyrule.

He also noted a serendipitous link with Studio Ghibli’s landmark 1997 film, Princess Mononoke, directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Miyamoto stated that he was surprised at the similarities he noticed between Ocarina of Time and Princess Mononoke, with both projects in development around the same period.

In revisiting completed scenes—such as Link shooting arrows from horseback or colossal Gorons roaming the landscape—Miyamoto drew parallels to Princess Mononoke’s protagonist Ashitaka and mythical creatures like the Nightwalker, indicating both visual and conceptual overlap.

Yet, as Miyamoto recounted, the Zelda team ultimately chose to refine and distinguish Hyrule’s world in their own way despite these unintentional similarities. Another significant point covered in the interview was Miyamoto’s early thoughts on the 64DD version of Ocarina of Time.

At one point, Miyamoto considered the 64DD build of the game to be finished, reflecting the iterative and sometimes uncertain development process as hardware capabilities evolved.

The 64DD peripheral, though short-lived, was one of several ambitious ideas circulating at Nintendo during the late 1990s, further highlighting the boundary-pushing mentality of the Zelda development team. The interview also provides context on the game’s internal design philosophies, underscore the collaborative efforts and debates that ultimately defined the player experience.

These behind-the-scenes stories add further depth to Ocarina of Time’s legacy, enriching fans’ appreciation for the Nintendo 64 classic as it continues to resonate on modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch through ongoing re-releases and Nintendo Direct showcases. For enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, this translation on Good Blood.Games offers an invaluable historical record of Zelda development, featuring additional interviews with creators behind Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, and The Wind Waker.

As timeless as its gameplay, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s enduring influence is now illuminated by rare insights from those who brought Hyrule to life.

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