Iwata Asks is a series of interviews conducted by former Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata with key creators behind the making of Nintendo games and hardware.



Iwata Asks Home

Nintendo 3DS



The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D Sound

The Everchanging Music of Hyrule Field

Iwata

It looks like we've got a little more time, so I'll ask one more thing. If you were to choose one song that you especially like in Ocarina of Time, what would it be? But Yokota-san, I suppose it's hard for you to choose just one! (laughs)

Yokota

If I were to choose just one, it would be "Zelda's Lullaby". I performed this at Nintendo World 2011. I loved that song so much that I sat around practicing it at home. When I was preparing for my entrance exam to Nintendo, I thought you might check my piano skills.

Iwata

You practiced it for your entrance exam? (laughs)

Yokota

Yeah. I thought there might be a practical skills test, so I practiced a lot, but then there wasn't one! (laughs) I arranged it my own way on the piano. That's how great I think it is.

Iwata

I see. What about you, Kondo-san?

Kondo

If I were to choose just one, it might be an unusual one. (laughs)

Iwata

Oh? (laughs) What if I asked you to name three?

Kondo

As I was playing the Nintendo 3DS version, there were several that struck me as well-done. Although, it's a little embarrassing to say so myself! (laughs) One plays when you go to Zelda's castle and hide in the garden so the guards can't find you. I forgot the title, though.

Yokota

That's "The Courtyard Game at Hyrule Castle."

Kondo

It sounds like a game of hide-and-seek. It represents that feeling of final relief you get when you're able to hide from the guards by carefully making stealthy steps. I thought, "I did a pretty good job!" (laughs)

Yokota

Like you're praising yourself 10 years ago? (laughs)

Kondo

Yeah! (laughs)

Iwata

It sounds like the value of the music for you, Kondo-san, is less about how the melody is appreciated by itself than how well the sounds serve their purpose in the context of the game.

Kondo

That's right.

Yokota

You can only use that song at that place. But you only go there once, so you can't hear it twice.

Iwata

It's a one-time-only minigame. When you clear it, you get to meet Princess Zelda.

Yokota

Right. So I want players to pay attention to that song when they play that part in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.

Iwata

And your second song?

Kondo

The one for the Super Cucco Game mentioned earlier.

Yokota

Oh! (laughs) That is a good song! I clucked along as I played.

Kondo

That song represents the sound chickens make.

Iwata

Again, you match the music to the game content.

Kondo

Right. I think I found the right tempo for all those chickens running around.

Iwata

And your last one?

Kondo

Um…another one?

Yokota

I like the way he hasn't mentioned a single major theme! (laughs)

Kondo

The song during the ending credits! It looks like the images have been set to the music, but actually it was the other way around.

Iwata

Huh? You didn't come up with the music first?

Kondo

No.

Iwata

You matched the music to the pictures?

Kondo

We put in the music later. So when that girl shows up, we put in her vocals. I forgot her name, though. (laughs)

Yokota

Malon. She sings Epona's song.

Kondo

Right, right! Malon! Malon shows up, and you hear her sing. Gorons appear, and drums pound. I arranged each strain that way.

Iwata

Now that's surprising!

Yokota

Kondo-san, sorry. We may need to cut this part.

Kondo

Oh, really? Because it's the ending song?

Yokota

No, we're making the final adjustments and it just doesn't fit right.

Iwata

You've got to put that in, Yokota-san. It's one of Kondo-san's three favorite songs.

Yokota

Oh, right, I suppose so… It's just that on the Nintendo 3DS system, it loads during the ending, too, and there's a problem with it being off a little, but…well, I'll make it work somehow! I will!

Iwata

That way everyone can enjoy it right up to the very end.

Yokota

Yeah. Please, enjoy it!

Iwata

Thank you for your time today, guys.

Kondo and Yokota

Thank you!