Dataminers have uncovered evidence within the Ocarina of Time remake's files that points to the potential return of the Master Quest mode. The findings, shared by dataminer MrCheeze, indicate that this remixed version of the game, known for its rearranged dungeons and mirrored world, might be released as downloadable content.
References such as "MQ", "HasMQ", "IsMQModeExist", "NewGameMQ", and "ReleaseMQ" have been identified in the game's data, with some strings specifically linking the "MQ" tag to dungeons like Dodongo's Cavern. Another dataminer, OatmealDome, corroborated these findings, suggesting that the mode will be unlocked through DLC rather than a standard game update. OatmealDome also confirmed that the game data shows the world being mirrored and dungeons being modified, citing "cows in Jabu-Jabu's Belly" as an example.
Master Quest first appeared as a bonus on the GameCube release of Ocarina of Time and was later included in 2011's Ocarina of Time 3D. In that version, the entire game world was mirrored, enemies dealt double damage, and dungeons were significantly altered. The inclusion of a mirrored world in the Switch 2 remake aligns with this previous iteration.
While the datamine provides strong suggestions, there is no official confirmation from Nintendo regarding DLC for the Ocarina of Time remake. It remains unclear if Master Quest, should it be released, would be a free addition or a paid one. The Ocarina of Time remake launched on Switch 2 on November 5th, and was met with critical acclaim, with Eurogamer's review calling it an "astonishing remake."