Finding every Heart Piece in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake is one of the best ways to prepare Link for the tougher dungeons and boss fights waiting throughout Hyrule. Each Piece of Heart brings you closer to another permanent health upgrade, making your adventure considerably easier.
The Nintendo Switch 2 remake features 36 Heart Pieces, just like the original game. However, several locations have changed, including new collectibles in Hyrule Field and Death Mountain Crater. Some are available early as Young Link, while others require special equipment, completing minigames, or switching between the two timelines.
If you’re aiming for 100% completion, here’s our complete guide to all 36 Heart Piece locations in Ocarina of Time Remake, including where to find them, the earliest point you can collect each one, and the equipment you’ll need to reach the maximum 20 hearts.
In Brief:
- 36 Heart Pieces: Collecting all 36 gives Link nine additional Heart Containers.
- 20-heart maximum: Link starts with three hearts, earns eight full Heart Containers from dungeon bosses, and gains nine more by collecting Heart Pieces.
- Young and Adult Link: Some Heart Pieces can be obtained early, while others require Magic Beans, the Hookshot, Golden Scale, or access to both timelines.
- Remake changes: Several Heart Pieces have moved, including the original Ice Cavern collectible, which has been relocated to Death Mountain Crater.
How Many Heart Pieces Are in Ocarina of Time Remake?
There are 36 Pieces of Heart hidden throughout Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake.
Every four Pieces of Heart automatically combine into one complete Heart Container, permanently increasing Link’s maximum health by one heart.
Here’s how the maximum health system works:
| Heart Source | Hearts Gained |
|---|---|
| Starting health | 3 |
| Eight dungeon boss Heart Containers | 8 |
| 36 Heart Pieces (4 pieces per heart) | 9 |
| Maximum Health | 20 Hearts |
You’ll need all 36 Heart Pieces and the eight complete Heart Containers dropped by major dungeon bosses to reach the maximum of 20 hearts.
Unlike Gold Skulltulas, which are often hidden inside dungeons, the remake’s Heart Pieces are found throughout the overworld, towns, optional challenges, and side quests.
All 36 Heart Piece Locations in Ocarina of Time Remake
The following checklist covers every Heart Piece, organized by region. Each entry includes the required version of Link, the earliest practical opportunity to collect it, and any essential items or abilities.
The numbering is for convenience. You can collect most Heart Pieces in a different order.
Lon Lon Ranch Heart Piece Location (1)
1. Lon Lon Ranch Storage Building
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First visit to Lon Lon Ranch
- Required items: None
Head toward the southwestern corner of Lon Lon Ranch and look for an old stone storage building.
Enter the building and move the wooden crates until you uncover a small crawlspace along the back wall.
Crawl through the opening to discover a hidden room containing the Heart Piece.
This is one of the easiest Heart Pieces to collect early in the adventure.
Lost Woods Heart Piece Locations (2)
2. Play Saria’s Song for Skull Kid
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: After learning Saria’s Song
- Required items: Fairy Ocarina, Saria’s Song
Enter the Lost Woods from Kokiri Forest and take the first passage on the left.
You’ll find a Skull Kid sitting on a stump.
Stand on the nearby stump and play Saria’s Song using your ocarina.
The Skull Kid will recognize the melody and reward you with a Piece of Heart.
3. Complete the Skull Kids’ Ocarina Minigame
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: After obtaining the Fairy Ocarina
- Required items: Fairy Ocarina
Return to the Lost Woods entrance and take the passage on the right.
Drop down to the clearing where two Skull Kids are sitting.
Stand on the stump and take out your ocarina to begin their music minigame.
They’ll play short melodies that you must repeat.
Complete all three rounds successfully to receive the Heart Piece.
The remake makes this minigame easier by displaying the notes on screen.
Hyrule Field Heart Piece Locations (2)
Both Hyrule Field Heart Pieces have been changed in the Nintendo Switch 2 remake. You’ll need to interact with special Fairy Notes as Adult Link before collecting them as Young Link.
4. Hidden Chest Near Gerudo Valley
- Character: Adult Link, then Young Link
- Earliest availability: After becoming Adult Link and unlocking the ability to return to childhood
- Required items: Master Sword timeline switching
Travel toward the western side of Hyrule Field near the entrance to Gerudo Valley.
Look for a small treasure chest beneath the large rocks.
When you approach the chest as Adult Link, you’ll discover that it has already been opened.
Read the nearby Fairy Note to learn more about it.
Now return to the Temple of Time and switch back to Young Link.
Travel to the same location and open the chest to collect the Heart Piece.
This is one of the remake’s new puzzles involving both timelines.
5. Business Scrub Near Hyrule Castle
- Character: Adult Link, then Young Link
- Earliest availability: After obtaining Bombs and unlocking timeline switching
- Required items: Bombs, 100 Rupees
Head toward the entrance to Hyrule Castle from Hyrule Field.
Look for a tree standing on a small patch of land to the right of the castle approach.
Visit this location as Adult Link and read the Fairy Note attached to the tree.
The note reveals a secret password.
Next, return as Young Link and use a bomb to destroy the cracked ground nearby.
Drop into the hidden grotto and speak with the Business Scrub.
Give him the password you learned as Adult Link.
He’ll offer to sell you a Heart Piece for 100 Rupees.
Pay the amount to collect it.
Hyrule Castle Town Market Heart Piece Locations (3)
6. Find Richard the Lost Dog
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First nighttime visit to Castle Town
- Required items: None
Visit Castle Town Market at night.
Near the entrance, you’ll find a woman who has lost her dog, Richard.
Search the nearby streets and back alley for a white dog.
Approach the correct dog and interact with it to make it follow you.
Lead Richard back to his owner to receive a Heart Piece.
There are multiple similar-looking dogs in the area, so try another one if the woman says you’ve brought the wrong pet.
7. Complete the Treasure Chest Shop Minigame
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: Once the shop is accessible at night; easiest after obtaining the Lens of Truth
- Required items: Rupees, Lens of Truth recommended
The Treasure Chest Shop is located in Castle Town Market and opens at night.
Inside, you’ll need to choose between treasure chests to find keys and progress through several rooms.
Choosing the wrong chest ends your attempt.
You can technically complete this challenge through luck, but the Lens of Truth makes it much easier.
With the Lens equipped, you’ll be able to see which chests contain the keys.
Open the correct chests and reach the final room to claim your Heart Piece.
8. Win Bombchu Bowling
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: After completing Dodongo’s Cavern
- Required items: Rupees
The Bombchu Bowling Alley becomes available in Castle Town after you’ve progressed through Dodongo’s Cavern.
Enter the building and speak with the attendant to participate.
Your objective is to launch Bombchus toward targets while avoiding obstacles.
Complete the challenges to win prizes.
One of the available rewards is a Piece of Heart.
Keep playing until you successfully win the Heart Piece reward.
Kakariko Village Heart Piece Locations (4)
9. Rooftop Near Impa’s House
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: After reaching Death Mountain Summit
- Required items: None
Climb Death Mountain until you reach the summit.
You’ll encounter Kaepora Gaebora, the large owl who offers to carry Link back down to Kakariko Village.
Accept his offer.
He’ll drop you on top of Impa’s house.
From there, carefully move toward the nearby lower rooftop where the Heart Piece is located.
Jump down to collect it.
10. Speak to the Man on the Rooftop
- Character: Young or Adult Link
- Earliest availability: As Young Link, once you can reach the rooftop with a Cucco
- Required items: Cucco, or Hookshot as Adult Link
Look for the man sitting on a rooftop near the Potion Shop in Kakariko Village.
As Young Link, you can use a Cucco to glide toward the building from a higher location.
Alternatively, return as Adult Link after obtaining the Hookshot.
Use the Hookshot to reach the rooftop, then speak with the man.
He’ll reward you with a Piece of Heart.
11. Heart Piece Inside the Windmill
- Character: Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After obtaining the Hookshot from Dampé
- Required items: Access to Dampé’s grave
Enter the Kakariko Graveyard as Adult Link and locate Dampé’s grave.
Inside, you’ll encounter Dampé’s ghost and participate in a race.
Follow him through the tunnels to obtain the Hookshot.
After completing the race, you’ll eventually emerge inside the upper section of the Kakariko Windmill.
Look across the room to find a Heart Piece resting on a ledge.
Jump over to collect it before leaving.
12. House of Skulltula Reward
- Character: Young or Adult Link
- Earliest availability: Once you’ve collected 50 Gold Skulltula Tokens
- Required items: 50 Gold Skulltula Tokens
Visit the House of Skulltula in Kakariko Village.
The family inside has been cursed, and collecting Gold Skulltula Tokens gradually breaks the curse.
Once you’ve collected 50 tokens, speak to the appropriate family member to receive a Heart Piece.
You can follow our complete Gold Skulltula locations guide to collect all 100 tokens and unlock every reward.
Kakariko Graveyard Heart Piece Locations (4)
13. Find the Heart Piece Inside a Grave
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: Early visit to Kakariko Graveyard
- Required items: None
Enter Kakariko Graveyard and head toward the row of gravestones near the Royal Family’s Tomb.
Locate the grave toward the far right of the upper row.
Pull the gravestone backward to reveal a hidden hole.
Drop inside and open the treasure chest to collect the Heart Piece.
Unlike the original game, you don’t need the Sun’s Song to obtain this particular Heart Piece in the remake.
14. Dampé’s Heart-Pounding Gravedigging Tour
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First nighttime visit to Kakariko Graveyard
- Required items: Rupees
Visit the Graveyard at night and find Dampé.
Speak with him to participate in his Heart-Pounding Gravedigging Tour.
Dampé charges Rupees to dig at different spots around the Graveyard.
Keep asking him to dig until he discovers a Piece of Heart.
The reward depends on where he digs, so you may need several attempts.
15. Magic Bean Platform in the Graveyard
- Character: Young Link, then Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After becoming Adult Link, provided you’ve planted a Magic Bean
- Required items: Magic Bean
As Young Link, purchase a Magic Bean from the merchant near Zora’s River.
Travel to Kakariko Graveyard and plant the bean in the soft soil near the entrance.
After becoming Adult Link, return to the same location.
The Magic Bean will have grown into a moving platform.
Ride it to reach the elevated ledge containing the Heart Piece.
16. Beat Dampé’s Race in Under One Minute
- Character: Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After obtaining the Hookshot
- Required items: Access to Dampé’s grave
Return to Dampé’s grave as Adult Link after completing his initial race.
Challenge his ghost again.
This time, you must reach the end of the course in less than one minute.
Stay close to Dampé, avoid obstacles, and use the remake’s faster movement controls to maintain your pace.
Successfully finishing within the time limit rewards you with a Piece of Heart.
Death Mountain Trail Heart Piece Location (1)
17. Magic Bean Platform Above Dodongo’s Cavern
- Character: Young Link, then Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After becoming Adult Link, with a Magic Bean planted beforehand
- Required items: Magic Bean
Travel to the entrance of Dodongo’s Cavern as Young Link.
Find the soft soil patch nearby and plant a Magic Bean.
Return to the same location as Adult Link.
The grown plant acts as a moving platform that takes you up toward the elevated Heart Piece.
Ride the plant and jump off at the correct moment to collect it.
Goron City Heart Piece Location (1)
18. Spinning Goron Pot
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: During the Death Mountain storyline, once you have Bombs
- Required items: Deku Stick, Bombs
Head to the bottom floor of Goron City and find the large Goron-shaped pot in the central chamber.
First, use a lit Deku Stick to ignite the torches around Darunia’s room.
This activates the large pot and causes it to start spinning.
Now climb to an upper level and throw a bomb into the opening.
Successfully landing a bomb inside can reward you with a Piece of Heart.
You’ll need to time your throw carefully.
Death Mountain Crater Heart Piece Locations (3)
Death Mountain Crater contains three Heart Pieces in the remake, including a newly relocated collectible sold by a Business Scrub.
19. Hidden Ledge Inside Death Mountain Crater
- Character: Young or Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After reaching Death Mountain Summit
- Required items: Enough health to survive the heat, or Goron Tunic as Adult Link
Enter Death Mountain Crater from Death Mountain Summit.
Near the entrance, look down toward the lower ledges and climbable wall.
Carefully descend until you reach the platform containing the Heart Piece.
Young Link can obtain this early, but the heat will gradually damage him.
If you’re attempting this as Young Link, enter with full health and move quickly.
Adult Link can complete the route more safely while wearing the Goron Tunic.
20. Magic Bean Platform Near the Fire Temple
- Character: Young Link, then Adult Link
- Earliest availability: Once you can reach the crater’s soil as Young Link and return as an adult
- Required items: Magic Bean
Near the Fire Temple entrance, you’ll find a patch of soft soil.
Plant a Magic Bean here as Young Link.
Later, return as Adult Link and ride the fully grown plant.
It will carry you toward a large pillar containing a Piece of Heart.
Jump off the platform at the correct point to collect it.
21. Business Scrub in Death Mountain Crater
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: After reaching Death Mountain Crater with 100 Rupees
- Required items: Deku Shield or Deku Nut, 100 Rupees
This is one of the remake’s newly relocated Heart Pieces.
Enter Death Mountain Crater as Young Link and head toward the lower area on the left.
You’ll find a Business Scrub hiding in the crater.
Stun him by reflecting his projectile with your shield or using a Deku Nut.
Speak with him afterward.
He’ll offer to sell you a Piece of Heart for 100 Rupees.
Buy it, then leave the crater before the heat becomes too dangerous.
In the original Ocarina of Time, one Heart Piece was hidden inside the Ice Cavern. In the Switch 2 remake, that collectible has effectively been moved to this Business Scrub.
Zora’s River Heart Piece Locations (4)
22. Heart Piece on the Raised Pillar
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: After obtaining Bombs and reaching Zora’s River
- Required items: Bombs, Cucco
Travel along Zora’s River until you spot a Heart Piece on a raised pillar.
In the original game, players could reach this location using a carefully timed Cucco jump.
However, the remake changes how this area can be accessed.
Climb the nearby vines and head toward the higher island.
Find the cracked ground and destroy it with a bomb to reveal a hidden Cucco.
Use the Cucco to glide toward the pillar and collect the Heart Piece.
23. Heart Piece Near Zora’s Domain Entrance
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First trip to Zora’s Domain
- Required items: Cucco
Near the beginning of Zora’s River, pick up a Cucco.
Carry it as you travel upstream toward the entrance to Zora’s Domain.
Once you reach the upper section near the waterfall, turn around and look for a small platform containing a Heart Piece.
Use the Cucco to glide down toward it.
Release the Cucco when you’re safely above the platform and grab the reward.
24. Play the Song of Storms for the Frogs
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: After learning the Song of Storms as Adult Link and returning to childhood
- Required items: Ocarina, Song of Storms
Visit the frog choir in Zora’s River.
You’ll find them sitting on logs near the river.
Take out your ocarina and play the Song of Storms.
The frogs will reward you with a Piece of Heart.
You must first learn the Song of Storms from Guru-Guru in Kakariko Village as Adult Link.
25. Complete the Frog Choir Minigame
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: Once you’ve learned the required regular songs and can visit the frogs as Young Link
- Required items: Ocarina and the necessary songs
Return to the frog choir in Zora’s River.
Play the following five songs for the frogs:
- Zelda’s Lullaby
- Saria’s Song
- Epona’s Song
- Sun’s Song
- Song of Time
Afterward, the frogs will challenge you to a special music minigame.
Watch for the butterfly appearing above a frog’s head, then play the corresponding ocarina note.
You’ll need to react quickly and correctly to complete the sequence.
Successfully finishing the challenge rewards you with another Piece of Heart.
Zora’s Domain Heart Piece Location (1)
26. Light All the Torches in Zora’s Domain
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First visit after opening Zora’s Domain
- Required items: Deku Stick, Zelda’s Lullaby to enter the domain
Head to King Zora’s throne room at the top of Zora’s Domain.
Find the lit torch and use it to ignite a Deku Stick.
Now run back down the stairs and light the remaining unlit torches around the area.
You’ll need to move quickly before the stick burns out or the temporary flames disappear.
Once every required torch is burning, a treasure chest appears.
Open the chest to collect the Heart Piece.
Zora’s Fountain Heart Piece Locations (2)
27. Heart Piece on the Floating Ice Platforms
- Character: Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After gaining access to frozen Zora’s Fountain
- Required items: None beyond reaching the area
Visit Zora’s Fountain as Adult Link.
The area will now be frozen, with several large ice platforms floating on the water.
Make your way toward the Ice Cavern entrance.
Look for the Heart Piece resting on one of the floating platforms.
Carefully jump across the ice to reach it.
28. Underwater Heart Piece Near the Ice Cavern
- Character: Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After obtaining the Iron Boots from the Ice Cavern
- Required items: Iron Boots
After completing the Ice Cavern and obtaining the Iron Boots, return to Zora’s Fountain.
Find the water near the Ice Cavern entrance and equip the Iron Boots to sink.
Search the bottom of the pool for a Heart Piece surrounded by Green Rupees.
Walk over to collect it.
Wearing the Zora Tunic is recommended if you need extra time underwater.
Lake Hylia Heart Piece Locations (3)
29. Catch a Large Fish at the Fishing Pond
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First visit to Lake Hylia’s Fishing Pond
- Required items: Rupees for the fishing minigame
Travel to the Fishing Pond on the eastern side of Lake Hylia.
Speak with the owner and pay the entrance fee to begin fishing.
You’ll need to catch a sufficiently large fish to earn the Heart Piece reward.
Look for one of the biggest fish swimming in the pond.
Cast your line near it and carefully reel it in.
Once you’ve caught a qualifying fish, speak with the owner to claim your prize.
30. Heart Piece on the Lakeside Laboratory Roof
- Character: Young Link, then Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After becoming Adult Link, with a Magic Bean planted near the laboratory
- Required items: Magic Bean, or Scarecrow’s Song and Hookshot as an alternative
Visit the Lakeside Laboratory in Lake Hylia as Young Link.
Find the soft soil beside the building and plant a Magic Bean.
Return as Adult Link and ride the grown plant toward the laboratory roof.
When the plant reaches the right position, jump off and climb to the Heart Piece.
Alternatively, you can use the Scarecrow’s Song and Hookshot to reach the roof as Adult Link.
31. Dive to the Bottom of the Laboratory Tank
- Character: Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After obtaining the Golden Scale
- Required items: Golden Scale
Inside the Lakeside Laboratory, you’ll find a large pool used by the Lake Scientist.
Your objective is to reach the bottom of the pool using your diving ability.
First, obtain the Golden Scale by catching a sufficiently large fish at the Fishing Pond as Adult Link.
Return to the laboratory and dive into the tank.
Reach the bottom using the Golden Scale, then speak with the Lake Scientist.
He’ll reward you with a Piece of Heart.
Important: Use the Golden Scale’s diving ability rather than relying on the Iron Boots.
Gerudo Valley Heart Piece Locations (2)
32. Treasure Chest Across the Broken Bridge
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First visit to Gerudo Valley
- Required items: Cucco
Travel to Gerudo Valley and approach the large bridge.
You’ll find a Cucco near the entrance.
Pick it up and head toward the edge of the bridge.
Look for a small platform across the gap containing a treasure chest.
Use the Cucco to glide toward the platform.
Land safely and open the chest to collect the Heart Piece.
33. Hidden Heart Piece Behind the Waterfall
- Character: Young Link
- Earliest availability: First visit to Gerudo Valley
- Required items: Cucco
Return to the bridge area and pick up the nearby Cucco.
This time, glide down toward the lower section of the valley.
Look for the ledge near the river where a Gerudo is tending to a cow.
From there, follow the narrow path around the waterfall.
You’ll discover a hidden area behind the falling water.
Follow it to collect another Heart Piece.
Gerudo Fortress Heart Piece Locations (2)
34. Treasure Chest on the Fortress Rooftop
- Character: Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After reaching Gerudo Fortress, gaining access to its upper areas, and unlocking the required equipment
- Required items: Hookshot or Longshot, Scarecrow’s Song
Explore Gerudo Fortress until you can reach its upper rooftops.
Look for a distant platform containing a treasure chest.
You can use the Scarecrow’s Song to summon Pierre at the appropriate location.
Once Pierre appears, target him with your Hookshot or Longshot and pull yourself across.
Open the treasure chest to receive the Heart Piece.
It’s easier to collect this after completing the fortress’s carpenter-rescue section, since you’ll be able to explore more freely.
35. Score 1,000 Points in Horseback Archery
- Character: Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After unlocking Epona and gaining access to the Gerudo Fortress archery range
- Required items: Epona, Fairy Bow, Rupees
Visit the horseback archery range near Gerudo Fortress.
Speak with the Gerudo running the challenge to participate.
You’ll need to ride Epona while shooting targets with your bow.
Your objective is to score at least 1,000 points.
Try to hit the center of the targets for higher scores.
Successfully reaching the required score earns you a Piece of Heart.
Desert Colossus Heart Piece Location (1)
36. Magic Bean Platform Near the Spirit Temple
- Character: Young Link, then Adult Link
- Earliest availability: After reaching the Desert Colossus, learning the Requiem of Spirit, and returning as Young Link
- Required items: Magic Bean, Requiem of Spirit
The final Heart Piece in our checklist is located near the Spirit Temple in the Desert Colossus.
First, reach the Desert Colossus as Adult Link and learn the Requiem of Spirit.
Return to the Temple of Time and switch to Young Link.
Play the Requiem of Spirit to reach the Desert Colossus again.
Find the soft soil near the Spirit Temple entrance and plant a Magic Bean.
Return as Adult Link.
Ride the grown Magic Bean plant as it travels around the desert.
Eventually, it will take you toward an elevated structure containing the Heart Piece.
Jump off and collect it to complete your collection.
All Heart Piece Locations by Region
If you’re missing a few collectibles, use this quick-reference table to identify how many Heart Pieces are located in each region.
| Region | Heart Pieces |
|---|---|
| Lon Lon Ranch | 1 |
| Lost Woods | 2 |
| Hyrule Field | 2 |
| Hyrule Castle Town Market | 3 |
| Kakariko Village | 4 |
| Kakariko Graveyard | 4 |
| Death Mountain Trail | 1 |
| Goron City | 1 |
| Death Mountain Crater | 3 |
| Zora’s River | 4 |
| Zora’s Domain | 1 |
| Zora’s Fountain | 2 |
| Lake Hylia | 3 |
| Gerudo Valley | 2 |
| Gerudo Fortress | 2 |
| Desert Colossus | 1 |
| Total | 36 |
The remake’s world map also tracks regional collectible progress, making it easier to identify where you’ve missed something.
How to Get 20 Hearts in Ocarina of Time Remake
To reach the maximum health of 20 hearts, you’ll need to collect every Piece of Heart and every full Heart Container dropped by the main dungeon bosses.
Step 1: Collect All 36 Heart Pieces
Every four Heart Pieces give you one complete Heart Container.
With 36 Pieces of Heart available, you’ll receive nine additional hearts.
Step 2: Collect All Eight Boss Heart Containers
You’ll also need to defeat the eight major dungeon bosses and collect the Heart Containers they leave behind.
These bosses are:
- Queen Gohma, Great Deku Tree
- King Dodongo, Dodongo’s Cavern
- Barinade, Lord Jabu-Jabu’s Belly
- Phantom Ganon, Forest Temple
- Volvagia, Fire Temple
- Morpha, Water Temple
- Bongo Bongo, Shadow Temple
- Twinrova, Spirit Temple
Each boss drops one complete Heart Container after being defeated.
Make sure to pick it up before leaving the boss arena.
Step 3: Reach the Maximum 20 Hearts
Once you’ve collected all 36 Heart Pieces and the eight dungeon Heart Containers, Link will have:
3 Starting Hearts + 9 Heart Piece Upgrades + 8 Boss Heart Containers = 20 Hearts
This is the maximum possible health in the remake.
Best Order to Collect Heart Pieces in Ocarina of Time Remake
If you’re starting a new playthrough, there’s no need to wait until the end of the game to begin collecting Heart Pieces.
In fact, gathering them early will make many of the more challenging encounters easier.
Here’s the route we recommend.
Early Game: Young Link
Focus on the Heart Pieces available in:
- Lon Lon Ranch
- Lost Woods
- Castle Town Market
- Kakariko Village and Graveyard
- Goron City
- Zora’s River and Domain
- Gerudo Valley
These areas contain several Heart Pieces that require little equipment.
Mid Game: After Obtaining the Master Sword
Once you’ve become Adult Link, focus on:
- Kakariko’s windmill and rooftops
- Dampé’s race
- Magic Bean platforms
- Lake Hylia
- Death Mountain
- Zora’s Fountain
This is also a good time to collect Heart Pieces requiring the Hookshot, Iron Boots, and Golden Scale.
Late Game: Before Ganondorf’s Castle
Before heading into the final dungeon, finish collecting Heart Pieces from:
- Gerudo Fortress
- Desert Colossus
- Hyrule Field’s timeline puzzles
- Remaining Magic Bean locations
- House of Skulltula rewards
- Any missed minigames
You’ll have access to most of Link’s equipment by this point, making it much easier to reach previously inaccessible collectibles.
All Major Heart Piece Changes in the Ocarina of Time Remake
While the overall total remains unchanged, Nintendo has adjusted several Heart Piece locations in the Switch 2 remake.
Ice Cavern Heart Piece Has Been Moved
In the original game, players could find a Heart Piece inside the Ice Cavern.
That location no longer contains the collectible.
Instead, the remake introduces a Business Scrub inside Death Mountain Crater who sells a Heart Piece for 100 Rupees.
New Hyrule Field Timeline Puzzles
Two Heart Pieces in Hyrule Field now require interacting with Fairy Notes as Adult Link.
After discovering their clues, you must return as Young Link to collect the rewards.
This adds another reason to revisit older locations after obtaining the Master Sword.
Easier Graveyard Heart Piece
One of the Heart Pieces inside Kakariko Graveyard is now easier to obtain.
Instead of relying on the Sun’s Song to claim it, players can access the hidden grave and collect the reward directly.
Improved Movement Makes Collection Easier
The remake introduces updated controls, including manual jumping and faster movement.
These changes make it easier to navigate certain rooftops, platforms, and timed challenges.
The improvements are particularly helpful when completing Dampé’s race and reaching elevated collectibles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Heart Pieces are in Ocarina of Time Remake?
There are 36 Heart Pieces scattered across Hyrule in the Nintendo Switch 2 remake.
Collecting every four pieces gives Link one additional Heart Container.
How many hearts can Link have in Ocarina of Time?
Link can have a maximum of 20 hearts.
You’ll need all 36 Heart Pieces and the eight full Heart Containers dropped by dungeon bosses.
Are any Heart Pieces missable?
No. You can return to previous locations and switch between Young and Adult Link to collect missing Heart Pieces.
Some require specific equipment or optional activities, but they remain available as you progress.
Are there any Heart Pieces inside dungeons?
No. In the remake, all 36 Heart Pieces are found in the overworld, towns, minigames, and side quests.
The Heart Piece previously located inside the Ice Cavern has been moved to Death Mountain Crater.
Do you need all 36 Heart Pieces to finish the game?
No. Collecting Heart Pieces is optional.
However, having more health makes difficult bosses and late-game encounters easier.
Can you collect every Heart Piece as Young Link?
No. Some Heart Pieces require Adult Link’s equipment or abilities.
You’ll need to switch between both timelines to collect everything.
Where are the hardest Heart Pieces to get?
Some of the more challenging Heart Pieces include the Treasure Chest Shop reward, the frog choir minigame, Gerudo Fortress horseback archery, and the new timeline-based puzzles in Hyrule Field.
What happens after collecting all 36 Heart Pieces?
You’ll receive nine additional Heart Containers.
Combined with Link’s three starting hearts and the eight boss Heart Containers, this brings your maximum health to 20 hearts.
Collecting all 36 Heart Pieces in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake is a great way to explore everything Hyrule has to offer.
The remake has also introduced several changes that can catch returning players off guard, especially the relocated Ice Cavern Heart Piece and the new Hyrule Field puzzles.
