After the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time, two dungeons remain: the Shadow Temple and the Spirit Temple. For the first time the game does not dictate the order, and you can do them either way round.
Go to Kakariko First
Whichever temple you pick, head to Kakariko Village next, because the story event there is what opens the Shadow Temple’s route and gives you the Nocturne of Shadow from Sheik.
You will also want the Lens of Truth, found in the Bottom of the Well beneath Kakariko as child Link. The Shadow Temple is built around things that are not really there, and going in without the Lens is close to impossible.
Our guide on all ocarina songs covers where each warp song comes from.
The Shadow Temple
This is the game’s horror dungeon, and the Lens of Truth carries you through most of it. The Hover Boots are inside, behind a Dead Hand fight, and they are needed for several gaps here and later.
Our guide on how to get the Hover Boots covers that fight, including the part where letting yourself be grabbed is the correct move.
The Spirit Temple
Reached through the Haunted Wasteland beyond Gerudo Valley, which requires getting past the Gerudo fortress first.
This temple is unusual in that you play part of it as child Link and part as an adult, moving between eras via the Temple of Time. The Mirror Shield is inside, and it is required to finish the dungeon and used again in the final fight.
The Hover Boots stop you sinking in the Haunted Wasteland sand, which is one reason a lot of players do Shadow first.
Tidy Up Before the End
Once both temples are done, the game funnels you toward Ganon’s Castle. Several things are much harder to go back for afterwards:
- The Biggoron’s Sword, if you have not finished the trade. Our guide on the Biggoron Sword covers the twelve steps and the three timed ones.
- The Great Fairy fountains, particularly double defence, which halves all damage. Our guide on all Great Fairy locations covers all six, and the one outside Ganon’s Castle needs the Golden Gauntlets from inside it.
- Bottles, for fairies that revive you automatically. Our guide on all bottle locations covers the four.
Then the Castle
With both temples cleared and the sages awakened, the bridge to Ganon’s Castle appears. Our guide on how to beat Ganondorf covers the two-part final fight, and the best order to do the temples covers the full sequence if you want to check you have not skipped anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which temple comes after the Water Temple? Either Shadow or Spirit. The order is yours to choose.
Do you need the Lens of Truth? For the Shadow Temple, effectively yes.
Where is the Mirror Shield? In the Spirit Temple, and it is required to finish that dungeon.
What should you do before the final castle? Finish the Biggoron trade, open the Great Fairy fountains, and collect bottles.