Buzz
When Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1996, it forever altered the gaming landscape. This groundbreaking 3D action-adventure game redefined the genre and influenced countless titles that followed. Even in 2022, the game remains a masterpiece (it recently debuted on the Nintendo Switch as part of the Nintendo Switch Expansion Pack), but its age is still evident. What if it could feel more contemporary?
Enter Harbour Masters, a team of developers who embarked on a mission to modernize Ocarina of Time for PC gamers. Their ambitious project became possible after fans spent two years reverse-engineering the game into C code. This breakthrough allowed Harbour Masters to create a version of Ocarina of Time featuring HD visuals, widescreen support, controller rumble, modding capabilities, and more.
Unlike typical ports or fan remakes (which Nintendo often blocks), this iteration of Ocarina of Time stands apart because it doesn’t use the original game’s code. Instead, the software, known as Ship of Harkinian, operates by reading code from an external ROM file, which it processes to run a PC-compatible version of the game.
By overcoming legal barriers, Ship of Harkinian enables players to experience the original Ocarina of Time on PC in an entirely fresh manner. This also opens the door for future enhancements, such as 60 fps gameplay, HD models, custom texture packs, online multiplayer, and compatibility with Linux and Mac systems. Currently, the game is only available for PC, maintaining the classic 20 fps frame rate from the N64 version.
To play Ocarina of Time using Ship of Harkinian, you must supply your own ROM file. Given Nintendo’s vigilant legal team, Ship of Harkinian emphasizes that the ROM must be legally acquired. This requires owning the original N64 cartridge and having the necessary hardware to extract the game file. While online guides can teach you how to create such an extractor, the process may appear daunting for beginners.
Naturally, most retro gamers on PC aren’t using legally obtained ROMs. A quick Google search can lead to numerous sites offering downloads for nearly any retro game ROM imaginable. However, this approach is, of course, illegal. (Despite industry efforts to shut down such sites, they remain the primary method for accessing older games.)
We strongly advise against downloading an Ocarina of Time ROM from the internet. Instead, you must provide your own ROM to run this PC port. Additionally, ensure you have the debug version of the ROM (not the Master Quest version).
Once you have your debug ROM, download Ship of Harkinian from its Discord server. The latest build is available in the #builds channel. Be sure to consult the Read Me document, which includes detailed instructions for setting up the software. Here’s a direct link to the Read Me, also accessible via pinned messages in the #support Discord channel and within the Ship of Harkinian download.
To begin: Extract the downloaded file, launch OTRGui, and select “Open OoT Rom.” Opt for “Single Thread,” then pick your Ocarina of Time ROM. Allow the system to generate an archive file for the ROM. Once completed, run soh.exe to start playing.
Given that this setup isn’t the most straightforward for running a game on your PC, you might encounter challenges. If issues arise, don’t hesitate to visit the #support channel on their Discord. Numerous questions are being posted, so you’re likely to find others facing similar problems. Remember, it’s always safer to seek help than to tackle it alone.
[VGC]
