The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, what a game. Just saying the name, it makes me want to grab a controller and jump back in to the exquisite kingdom of Hyrule. I have lost weeks of my life to this game, maybe even months. Point is I have played this game inside and out, Ocarina of Time is my favorite game. Before I get into this list, let me play you some music to get you in the right mood, I know what you like baby. (Click Here, for the theme music) See doesn’t that just get you hyped for a list? Any way lets get into the pipe line.

5) Ice Cavern

I know that this is really categorized as a “mini dungeon,” but I still enjoy it vastly. First thing that makes it awesome, the music reminds me of ice. I know that sounds weird, but it really does. Each syncopated note reminds me of falling ice, which happens a lot in this dungeon. The puzzles are generally fun to solve, I actually really liked pushing around the ice blocks, to jump on different ledges. The added challenge of time limit was great, it made the a challenge for the mind! Also at the end Sheik pops down for a spell, she plays some music and is on her merry way. Its always nice when she drops by, I mean him, I mean uh….Not Zelda?

4) King Jabu Jabu’s Belly

“Who doesn’t love whales? Who doesn’t love going inside whales?”- Shigeru Miyamoto, around the time this game was made. He didn’t really say that, but if he did, he would be totally right! This was an awesome choice on Miyamoto’s part. This is one of those levels that is gross, but you just can’t help but love. You go through the body of a whale and while its not a completely accurate depiction of what that would actually be like, the design is close enough. The whole time you can watch the Jabu Jabu breathe… I don’t know, just thought that was pretty cool. Moving on! Remember how I said this level was gross, well at one point you fight what looks like strands of poop…. I’m not to sure what they are supposed to be, but they look like fecal matter to me. Now I know what you’re thinking,” This level sucked, hated caring Princess Ruto around!” And you would be right in thinking that, however, I have a solution! Step 1: Pick up Ruto. Step 2: Throw Ruto off of a ledge. Step 3: ……. Step 4: Profit. Problem solved.

3) Shadow Temple

As a child this dungeon scared the crap out of me. I could barely get the courage play it (give me a break I was eight). It was beyond spooky, mainly the music and the whole skulls thing… Shadow Temple= Skulls, math! Now that I’m no longer a kid and afraid of such spooky things, I can really appreciate this dungeon. Unlike most of the other dungeons, this one brings Link on a pretty straight forward path. Although, on on occasion you do have to stray from the path, into a separate room to find a key or item. This style is a nice change of pace and after completing the Water Temple, it is welcomed with open arms. I personally love any of the Lens of Truth puzzles. The game designers really step up the challenge to those puzzles in this dungeon, it can some times be a pain, but often times just fun. Also the boss makes me laugh, Bongo Bongo, fighting on a giant drum. He actually is pretty tough, but once you get used to quick targeting, its a breeze.

2) Spirit Temple

First off, let’s just take a second to listen to the amazing music that leads up to this temple, Gerudo Valley. Now back to the dungeon at hand. The spirit temple is home to one of the coolest boss battles in the game. The bosses are these two witches, Koume and Kotake, they first reveal themselves to you as a child. They show up and abduct Links friend, Nabooru. This really make you hate these villains, it makes you want to destroy them. Then you fight them as an adult and they combine form Twinrova. This boss battle is a delight to play. Which just makes the dungeon it self a whole lot better. The dungeon it self has some of the hardest puzzles in the game. The style, the architecture, the music, everything about this level is just fantastic, but only makes the number two spot.

1) The Fire Temple

Excellent, this dungeon is the purely excellent. This is my favorite part of the whole game, maybe because it makes me feel like a hero more than other levels. Here’s what I mean by that: The Gorons have been captured and put into cells by Volvagia the dragon, he plans on eating them. Through out the temple you save these various Gorons and in the end, you save their entire village by killing the dragon. Maybe its because I connected with the Gorons the most as a gamer, but it really makes me feel like a hero saving all of them. Isn’t that what games are supposed to do, make you feel like you are the character. This Temple made me feel most like the hero of time and that is what makes it truly special. Yes it has great architecture, music, and level design. However, what makes it stand out as the best, is the feel.