From The Verge · Jay Peters · · 1m 40s
Zelda Notes app transforms Ocarina of Time hunts
Nintendo's free companion app makes finding Golden Skulltulas and other collectibles in the Ocarina of Time remake far easier than hunting by ear alone.
In brief
Nintendo's free companion app makes finding Golden Skulltulas and other collectibles in the Ocarina of Time remake far easier than hunting by ear alone. Nintendo's Zelda Notes app helps players find hidden collectibles in Ocarina of Time by showing map locations and requirements, turning a frustrating hunt into an…
The Skulltula problem
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has 100 Golden Skulltulas hidden across Hyrule. Jay Peters never found them all growing up and expected to ignore them in the remake too.
Zelda Notes changes the game
Nintendo's free Zelda Notes app, available on Switch without a subscription, shows collectible locations on detailed Hyrule maps with filters for child and adult Link.
How the app helps
When Peters hears a Golden Skulltula but cannot reach it, the app pinpoints its exact location and shows what items or time changes are needed to obtain it.
Shadow Temple example
Peters found a Skulltula in the Shadow Temple but could not reach it. The app revealed he needed the Scarecrow Song to create a hookshot point he had not yet obtained.
Pieces of Heart tracking
Zelda Notes also helps find Pieces of Heart, which increase Link's health. Peters spotted two on faraway ledges in Zora's River but the app showed he needed a Cucco to reach them.
Better than online guides
Peters acknowledges opening his phone breaks immersion, but Zelda Notes is faster than wading through walkthroughs, AI summaries or YouTube videos of varying quality.
A changed perspective
Peters has already found more than seventy Golden Skulltulas and now wants to hunt for all one hundred, a goal he never pursued before using the app.
“I've already found more than 70 Golden Skulltulas, and to my surprise, I now want to hunt for the full 100.”
What to remember
Nintendo's Zelda Notes app helps players find hidden collectibles in Ocarina of Time by showing map locations and requirements, turning a frustrating hunt into an engaging challenge.
