The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Speedruns: Blink and You’ll Miss Hyrule
So, you think of yourself as a time hero? Do you believe you can save Hyrule from Ganondorf? In a relaxed playthrough, maybe. But what if you tried it quickly? Really quickly? Welcome to the wild world of Ocarina of Time speedrunning. Here, saving Princess Zelda becomes a sprint, not a quest.
Speedrunning is the pursuit of completing a game as fast as possible. Ocarina of Time is a popular choice. Why? Because it’s great. Players have found many ways to exploit it over time. There are tons of glitches and tricks. Speedrunners thrive on this challenge.
How Fast is Fast? We’re Talking Blink-and-You-Miss-It Fast.
Let’s get to the point: how fast can you beat Ocarina of Time? If you watch a skilled player, you might miss it if you blink. There’s a video titled “How to win ‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ in 15 minutes”. Yes, that’s right. Fifteen minutes. That’s less than deciding on takeout.
Now, don’t think your casual playthrough is breaking any records. For normal players, experienced ones can finish a speedrun in a few hours. And the truly dedicated? They can complete it in under ten hours. That’s impressive for such a vast game.
Categories: Glitches, Skips, and Going the Distance
Similar to competitive eating, speedrunning has categories. These determine the rules for each run. Let’s go over two big categories for Ocarina of Time:
- Any% Glitchless: This category is for those who enjoy a challenge but want shortcuts.
Any% Glitchless means completing the game without glitches. Skips are allowed. It’s like choosing a scenic route but hopping fences along the way. - 100%: For completionists, there’s the 100% category. This requires doing everything. They mean it; no skips, no glitches. Just pure Hyrule completion. You collect all heart containers, all masks, and all gold skulltulas. It’s the equivalent of sorting spices while solving a Rubik’s Cube.
World Record Glory: Smaugy’s Glitchless Triumph
Now, let’s discuss world records. In Ocarina of Time 100% Glitchless speedruns, there’s a champion: Smaugy. On October 26, 2022, Smaugy achieved a stunning time of 5:39:49. Yes, five hours, thirty-nine minutes, and forty-nine seconds to do everything in the game without glitches. That’s nearly warp-speed.
Pro-Tips for Aspiring Speedrunners (and the Rest of Us)
You might think, “Okay, speedrunning sounds intense, but what’s in it for me?” Even if you don’t want to break records, some techniques can enhance your experience.
- Gold Splits: Celebrating the Small Victories: Ever heard of a gold split? It means completing a segment faster than ever before. Speedrun software highlights these moments in gold. It’s a nice reminder that there are always personal victories, even in long runs.
- Roll-Attacks: The Ancient Secret to Hyrulean Hustle: Want to move faster in Hyrule? Forget running. Use roll-attacks. It may look silly, but it’s faster than simple running. Rolling into enemies can be stylish and effective.
There you have it. A dive into the fast-paced and glitchy world of Ocarina of Time speedrunning. Whether you wish to improve your personal best or wonder how anyone can finish this epic game in under 15 minutes, a dedicated community pushes Hyrule’s limits. Remember, for speed, roll-attacks are vital. You might require energy drinks too. If you wish to get serious about speedrunning, know that while Ocarina of Time is beloved, it ranks among the hardest games to speedrun. Consider starting with something a bit less… stressful.
