Song Title: Title Theme

Composer: Koji Kondo

Game: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Length: 1:20

I love system start-ups. The boot jingles and screens, I mean. Who can forget the iconic yawning of the original PlayStation as it powered on, or the echo-y drip drop of the Dreamcast waking up? The N64 was lacking in this department, but many Nintendo-produced games began by showing the 3D N64 logo spinning in place along with a short animation or audio clip, which served as the N64’s own unique boot screen. How did they choose to begin what many consider the best video game of all time? There’s no guitar riff like in F-Zero X, no catchphrase shouting as in Pokemon Stadium, and no character fly-by as in Diddy Kong Racing. The N64 logo floats and rotates beside the text “NINTENDO 64” in a black void, in solemn silence. The logo fades, and Hyrule Field appears. Epona’s loud gallop can be heard as she and Link appear onscreen. Then you hear it.

The song chosen to introduce Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a beautiful piece, brought to life by the perfect combination of ethereal melody, piano, and ocarina. Link and Epona continue to ride, as the song plays on. The moon falls and the sun rises, highlighting the awesome day and night cycle featured in the game. In only one minute and twenty seconds, Title Theme captures the very essence of Ocarina of Time.

The track carries this reverent, confident tone, without being overbearing or trying to be “epic.” The tone of the song is odd, as it doesn’t seem to be entirely focused on a single point. It’s comforting and exciting all at once. Though slow and light at first, it builds slightly in the end, only to fall again to the introductory piano. The Title Theme promises adventure to come, but also feels like a remembrance of past journeys. How fitting for it to accompany the moment series fans see their beloved franchise leave behind its excellent 2D roots and begin its legendary 3D game stretch. It’s even more fitting with The Legend of Zelda lore. The story of the hero in the green tunic, the princess, the evil Ganon, and the Triforce, beginning and ending eternally. In a game full of moments to remember, this moment, with the Title Theme, is a standout part of Ocarina of Time and it occurs before you hit the start button. Koji Kondo’s score is undeniably one of the reasons this game is as engrossing as it is.

An interesting bit of trivia that adds to the Title Theme’s importance is that it’s built on a tune from Zelda and Mario history. In Legend of Zelda for NES, the recorder can transport Link to any previously cleared dungeon. It plays this melody when used:

In Super Mario Bros. 3, the Warp Whistle allows players to warp ahead to another world. This is the sound it makes when activated:

This is the same melody that the ocarina part of Title Theme starts with and builds upon. All instances of the tune before the Title Theme accompanied the action of warping or teleporting. I believe its use in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is no different. Upon hearing it, players are warped into the world of Hyrule. I know it takes me there whenever I watch the intro of this classic.