Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake may receive Master Quest DLC after launch

Datamined files and producer Eiji Aonuma’s comments fuelled speculation about future Ocarina of Time Remake DLC

Nintendo may be considering additional downloadable content for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, with datamined files and comments from producer Eiji Aonuma suggesting that Master Quest could return in a future update.

The possibility emerged after dataminer MrCheeze discovered references to Master Quest in the remake’s game files. Among the strings identified were references to “MQ” and “DodongoCavern”.

In a follow-up post, the dataminer highlighted additional entries, including “HasMQ”, “IsMQModeExist”, “NewGameMQ” and “ReleaseMQ”.

These findings have prompted speculation that Nintendo could be preparing Master Quest as post-launch DLC. However, the files do not confirm that the content is currently in development.

Separately, Aonuma addressed the possibility of additional content in an interview with IGN alongside fellow producer Hidemaro Fujibayashi.

Discussing whether developers might revisit features that did not make the final release, he said, “So certainly anytime that we release a game, if there's an opportunity for the devs to consider what might come in the future, we want to leave that possibility open to them and support their interests. But I don't think that we would announce anything specific at this time.”

Originally released as a bonus disc alongside the GameCube version of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Master Quest offers a more challenging version of the original adventure.

It changes dungeon layouts, enemy placements and puzzle arrangements. The mode was also included in the 2011 Nintendo 3DS version, which additionally mirrored the game world and increased enemy damage.

Although Aonuma has not confirmed that Master Quest will return, his comments leave the possibility open. Nintendo has also not announced any specific DLC plans for the Switch 2 remake, so players will have to wait for official confirmation.