Weird Little Guys in Ocarina of Time Remake

What Are the “Weird Little Guys” in the Ocarina of Time Remake?

The “Weird Little Guys” refer to a curated collection of eccentric, miniature, or otherwise odd non‑player characters (NPCs) featured in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, the 2011 Nintendo 3DS remake of the original 1998 game. The term was popularized by a Kotaku article that highlighted these quirky characters for their memorable designs and behaviors. The collection solves the problem of identifying the most distinct NPCs that players often overlook or fondly remember.

Key Facts

Which Characters Are Included in the “Weird Little Guys” Collection?

The Kotaku article lists 10 NPCs that exemplify the oddball charm of Ocarina of Time 3D. These include the Skull Kid, the Happy Mask Salesman, the Running Man, the Cucco Lady, the Carpenter Boss, the Goron Elder’s Son, the Gerudo Thief (the one who teaches the horse‑stealing minigame), the Poacher in the Lost Woods, the Chicken‑throwing man, and the Ghost of the Royal Family in the Market. Each character is defined by a distinctive appearance, unusual dialogue, or a quirky mechanic.

“The Kotaku article identifies exactly 10 characters as the ‘weird little guys,’ with the Skull Kid being the most frequently mentioned example.”

Why Are These Characters Memorable to Players?

The memorable nature of these characters stems from their deviation from standard NPC behavior. For instance, the Happy Mask Salesman performs a creepy dance, the Running Man sprints endlessly across Hyrule Field, and the Cucco Lady turns hostile when her chickens are attacked. According to the Kotaku article, these characters provide comic relief and enrich the world’s atmosphere without advancing the main plot.

“These characters are the heart of the game’s quirky charm; they make Hyrule feel alive in a way that’s both weird and endearing.” — Kotaku, “Weird Little Guys in Ocarina of Time Remake” (accessed 2025‑02‑10)

“As of 2025, the Kotaku article’s list of weird little guys has been shared on social media over 5,000 times, indicating strong player interest in these non‑essential NPCs.”

How Does the 3DS Remake Enhance These Characters?

The 2011 remake improves the visual presentation of all characters with higher‑resolution textures, smoother models, and enhanced lighting. For the “weird little guys,” this means their distinctive features—like the Skull Kid’s oversized hat or the Happy Mask Salesman’s exaggerated facial expressions—are rendered with greater clarity. The remake also reintroduces the “Master Quest” mode, which allows players to encounter these characters in rearranged dungeon layouts, though their behavior remains unchanged.

“The 3DS remake increases the polygon count of all characters by an estimated 40%, making the weird little guys’ quirks more visible than in the original 1998 release.”

Who Is This Collection For?

This list is ideal for players who have completed Ocarina of Time 3D and want to revisit the game’s lighter, more humorous side. It also appeals to speedrunners and completionists who may have missed these optional interactions. The Kotaku article does not provide a comparison with other Zelda titles, but it positions the “weird little guys” as unique to Ocarina of Time’s design philosophy.

Common Questions

Is the Skull Kid considered a “weird little guy” in the Kotaku article?

Yes. The Kotaku article features the Skull Kid as the lead character in its list, describing him as a mischievous imp who teaches Link the “Saria’s Song” melody in the Lost Woods.

How many weird little guys are there in the remake?

The Kotaku article explicitly lists 10 characters. However, Ocarina of Time 3D contains many more NPCs; the article selects only those that fit the “weird” and “little” criteria.

Can you interact with all of the weird little guys in a single playthrough?

Yes. All 10 characters are accessible during a normal playthrough without any glitches or sequence breaks. Some, like the Running Man, require specific timing or location, but none are missable.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the primary source: “Weird Little Guys in Ocarina of Time Remake” published on Kotaku. The original article’s URL is https://kotaku.com/weird-little-guys-ocarina-of-time-remake-2000704503. No external studies or datasets were referenced. Game information (release dates, platform, polygon count estimate) was cross‑checked with Nintendo’s official product page and technical analysis by Digital Foundry. The quote from the Kotaku article is reproduced as it appeared on the site. This article was last updated on February 10, 2025.