Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s Coolest Dungeon Hides a Secret Tribute to a Beloved Classic

Nintendo’s eagerly anticipated remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has arrived, transporting players back to Hyrule's past or introducing them to Link’s journey anew. Though the Switch 2 version boasts a stunning visual upgrade, the developers have taken great care to maintain the essence of the original game. Among these preserved elements is a subtle tribute to a beloved American classic, which even ardent fans may have overlooked upon their initial playthrough.

After Link gathers the three Spiritual Stones and returns to Hyrule Castle Town, seven years pass before he resumes his quest to defeat Ganon. Upon awakening the first sage, Link discovers a peculiar dungeon—the Forest Temple—where he encounters something extraordinary: a mansion inhabited by four ghostly sisters. These spectral figures, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, bear uncanny resemblance to the March sisters from Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women.

The same birth order and names echo across both literary works, hinting at an intentional connection between the two realms.

While some gamers might suspect modern meddling in the localization efforts, the truth lies in the game’s original design. These sisters retain their names from the Nintendo 64 release, albeit with slight variations in some editions. For fans unacquainted with the original game, Polygon offers comprehensive guides and walkthroughs to help uncover all the hidden treasures and secret paths within this remastered masterpiece.