Guide to Acquiring Epona in the New Ocarina of Time Remake
Players must return to Lon Lon Ranch as Young Link to learn Epona's Song from Malon, a crucial step that unlocks the horse later as Adult Link. The quest requires timing the game’s day cycle to daytime and engaging with Malon at the corral. Once completed, players can ride Epona across Hyrule Fields after progressing through the story to adulthood.
In the 2026 remake of *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*, players must complete a multi-stage quest to unlock Epona, Link’s iconic horse, by returning to Lon Lon Ranch as Adult Link after first learning “Epona’s Song” as Young Link. The process begins in the past timeline, requiring players to visit Lon Lon Ranch during daytime—adjustable via the Sun Song if needed—and speak with Malon at the corral, where she teaches the melody through an Ocarina interaction. This song is essential for summoning Epona later. After progressing through the story to adulthood, players return to the ranch, now under Ingo’s control following Ganondorf’s takeover. To claim Epona, players must pay 20 Rupees to enter the corral and play the song, prompting her to approach. A two-part race challenge follows: the first is easily won with strategic use of Epona’s six carrot-powered speed boosts, while the second requires precise timing—especially maintaining lead during the straightaway after the first turn—and using a final carrot burst at the finish line. Ingo’s gate-trapping attempt adds tension, resolved by charging through it, culminating in a cutscene where Epona is officially claimed. The quest is optional but highly valued for gameplay convenience and emotional payoff.
The guide, authored by Collin MacGregor, a veteran game designer and TheGamer staff writer, reflects the enduring cultural significance of *Ocarina of Time* within gaming history. Its remake, released November 5, 2026, has r
The guide exemplifies how remakes leverage nostalgia to engage both veteran and new players, reinforcing the cultural permanence of iconic game elements like Epona. By embedding a detailed, optional quest within a broader narrative, the remake encourages exploration and emotional investment, potentially increasing player retention and community activity around speedrunning or completionist playthroughs. This mirrors the impact of *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*, which similarly revitalized interest in the franchise through open-world design and hidden mechanics. The Epona quest may inspire similar deep-dive content across gaming communities, influencing how players approach remakes and modding. It could also affect game design trends, with developers prioritizing meaningful side content that rewards attentive play. What to watch for is whether this level of detail in optional quests becomes a standard feature in future remasters—especially those from Nintendo—or remains an ou