Heralded as one of the most defining releases in the history of the medium, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is undeniably an enduring pillar in the legacy of video games. Not only did the title show the limitless potential of games in a 3D space, but it also inspired thousands of young minds with its spellbinding tale of magical sages, evil Gerudo warriors, and mystical time travel.
To this day, many still consider it the greatest game of all time, with its influential nature paving the way for some of the biggest and best experiences available today. It seems Nintendo knew it was onto something big when it released Ocarina of Time back in 1998, with a recently leaked source code for the N64 and NES hinting that there might have been an official sequel in the works.
As many will know, a canonical sequel actually did spawn from Ocarina of Time in the years following its release, with The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask hitting shelves back in 2000. However, the leak appears to hint that there could have been a direct follow up that used the same title, with the files referring to the game simply as Z_Ocarina2, assumedly meaning it would sport the title The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 2. If the leak truly does refer to a direct sequel, how it would work is a mystery. After all, Link's sent back in time before the events of the game even happen at the end of the original story, preventing Ganondorf's rise to power from taking place.
The leak also doesn't seem to shed any more details, yet, the fact that the source code also has a file for Majora's Mask casts some doubt on the theory that Z_Ocarina2 was a working title for the actual follow-up. While it's disappointing to not be able to learn more, it's interesting to consider what this sequel - if it truly existed - could've been if Nintendo had proceeded with production.
As for those wondering about the legitimacy of the leak itself, it's worth noting the files for one of the games mentioned in the leak, Star Fox 2, has been verified by its creator. It seems the source code could have some genuine truth to it, which is interesting seeing as it unveils some of Nintendo's most well-kept secrets. One folder actually contains a model for Luigi that was clearly meant to feature in Super Mario 64, while a second contains plans for a canceled Pokemon MMO.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is available on N64, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, and Wii U.