Kokiri Forest

Where it all begins.

This chapter is written from the N64 original, which is what exists to play today — the Switch 2 remake is not out until November 5, 2026. Confirmed remake differences will appear in callouts like this one once we play it. Until then: everything we know about the Switch 2 version, including screenshots.

The start of Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time is in Kokiri Forest, Link’s home. You are about to embark on an incredible adventure, I hope you’re prepared!

First, you can talk to Saria, Link’s best friend. After that, you must find the shield and sword.

To find the Kokiri Sword :

Climb over these fences to find the Kokiri Sword in the tunnel
  1. Go to the training center ontop of the hill
  2. Go past all of the fences until you get to the mountainside
  3. Go into the small tunnel
    Climb into this tunnel to find the Kokiri Sword
  4. Go to the left, then right. Be careful to not get hit by giant rolling boulders
  5. Get the Kokiri Sword out of the chest
  6. Exit the cave and start hunting for Rupees to buy a Deku Shield (40 rupees)

To find the Deku Shield :

  1. Go to the house with the red roof (across the stream)
  2. Go inside and talk to the guy at the counter
  3. Look around at items and find the Deku Shield
  • If you have enough money, then buy it.
  • If not, go out and search for rupees. There are rupees in bushes, rocks, and inside a house.
    This house had 11 rupees when I played

Once you have your sword and shield, head for the Great Deku Tree. The entrance is blocked by Mido, a jealous guy who will not let you pass unless you have a sword and a shield.

Ocarina of Time Switch 2 screenshots: Kokiri Forest

9 screenshots of Kokiri Forest from the Nintendo Switch 2 remake, taken from the September 8, 2026 Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct and the trailer that closed it. The remake is not out until November 5, 2026, so the walkthrough above is written from the N64 original. All Switch 2 screenshots and everything we know →

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First look at Kokiri Forest. Note the HUD: hearts top-left, a Deku Stick mapped to R in the top-right slot with a second ZR slot beneath it, and a minimap bottom-right.
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The main path. A Kokiri house is on the right, its lit interior visible straight through the doorway. Signposts use Hylian script.
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Talking to Saria. Dialogue is text with a speaker nameplate, and the box has a Hide - Left Stick press option and a Conversation Log (Y), both new.
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The new Jump button in action, hopping the stream by the stepping stones. The 1998 game only jumped automatically off ledges; this is a manual jump on demand.
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Inside the Kokiri Shop, reached with no loading transition from outside. Stock sits on physical shelves with price tags underneath: Recovery Heart, Deku Nuts, Deku Sticks, Deku Shield.
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From the trailer: Saria’s goodbye at the forest exit, under the great mossy roots. She’s holding the Fairy Ocarina to her chest, about to give it to him, with Navi and her own fairy glowing on either side.
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Saria holding out the Fairy Ocarina. A proper look at her redesign: bright green hair, big violet eyes, a wooden pendant, and a knitted green outfit with the Kokiri spiral worked into it.
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From the trailer: the nightmare. Ganondorf rears his black horse over Link at the castle gate under a fork of lightning, the towers behind them lost in rain.
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Ganondorf, first proper look. He leans down out of the dark with one huge hand open toward Link. Red hair, green skin, dark armor trimmed in gold.

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