The original Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time occupies a similar space in my heart as The Black Cauldron, The Last Unicorn, The Neverending Story, The Dark Crystal, and all of the other fantastical experiences of the '80s and '90s in that, while fundamental to creating who I am today, they were also extremely dark. Though Majora's Mask is (understandably) referred to as the darkest Legend of Zelda game, it's crucial to remember that Ocarina of Time had its fair share of creepy content, too. Part of this is due to the game's themes and subtle focus on mortality, but it's also worth noting that some of this was simply due to there being some characters and enemies in that game were horrifying.

That said, not all of Ocarina of Time's characters permanently scarred me. On the contrary, some of them perhaps even awoken something in me, but that's between me and the woman working at the Bombchu bowling alley. Regardless, the recent announcement of an Ocarina of Time remake has left me reminiscing about these characters, and I've grown increasingly eager to see how they might be reimagined in 2026. Here are the ones I am most excited to see, as well as the ones that are sure to re-haunt me once the game launches later this year.

Stay away: The Lake Scientist

In case you forgot, one of the first things this guy says to you is, "You may not have noticed, but I've been watching you," which is one hell of way to begin a conversation. While that's already enough to put a person on edge, The Lake Scientist's distinctly skeletal appearance certainly doesn't help things. With his Skulltula-shaped face, nearly detached jaw (which contains four equally spread apart teeth), and a distinctly haunted expression that seems to look past Link and into the very soul of the person playing the game, this man was an unreasonably frightening figure.

Excited for: Richard

I cannot wait to be reunited with Mamamu's precious (and precocious!) pup Richard. According to Mamamu, Richard is a special dog--one with the ability to outrun all of Hyrule Castle Town's other "mutts" and a "very special coat." Part of this, of course, seems likely to reflect Mamamu's own bias towards her beloved fur son, but you have to admit, the dog's got style. One of Ocarina of Time's most heartbreaking moments is when you see Mamamu in the future and she informs you that Richard passed away. "He was such a famous puppy," she proclaims, as she reminisces about the small, spunky terrier. He was, Mamamu. He really was.

Stay away: Mido

Listen, I know there are all these fan theories that claim Mido is actually a great character and so on and so forth, but to me, he will always be the belittling jerk who forces you to endure the game's beginning tutorial. If I hadn't played through Ocarina of Time so many times, maybe I'd be less annoyed by his presence--maybe I could appreciate that he simply wants me to be prepared for what lies ahead and has a few, normal insecurities he needs to work through. But repeated exposure has worn me down. To me, Mido feels a bit like the co-worker you desperately want to avoid because you just know he has something unnecessary to say to you and thrives on preventing you from actually getting your work done. Clearly I'm not alone in feeling this way, too--the Mido Skip Glitch is among the most exploited in Ocarina of Time by both speed runners and annoyed players like me.

Excited for: The Great Fairies

Get your mind out of the gutter, ya little freaks. I don't have the Great Fairies on here for that reason, though of course I'll admit they are all absolute baddies. No, their inclusion on this list is more so because I am obsessed with how mythical, strange, feminine, and unapologetic these divas are. From their bold makeup and skintight attire, to their dazzling, unashamed laughter, these ladies ooze charisma. In the same way that I am always eager to see what outfit Chappell Roan takes to the stage next, I am excited to see how the fairies love of glitz, glamour, and excess will be translated in the Ocarina of Time remake.

Stay away: ReDead

Even back in 1998, when their finer details were distorted by now-dated tech, Ocarina of Time's ReDeads scared the absolute hell out of me. The shriek? The way time would freeze as they inched closer, ready to wrap their fleshy, disfigured limbs across your body and feed? Five-year-old me was utterly horrified, and more than a few times, I straight up turned off my Nintendo 64 because I did not feel like dealing with the amount of anxiety they inflicted upon me. I'll admit, they're a good enemy and absolutely need to be in the remake; that's obvious. But that doesn't mean I'm happy about seeing how they look in 2026 and enduring their cries once more.

Excited for: Saria

In many ways, Saria serves as Ocarina of Time's beating heart--as a limitless source of comfort and hope, even in the darkest of times. From day one, she is unwavering in her loyalty to Link and her desire for a kinder world, treating even those like Mido with grace. Through her song, she acts as a voice of guidance and reassurance for our young hero, and a bringing of joy for the Kokiri people. If I haven't made it abundantly clear yet, I adore Saria and the understated yet vital role she plays in this game. I can't wait to see how the Ocarina of Time remake will both reimagine her and celebrate her legacy.

Stay away: The Master Craftsman's Son

On top of being unpleasant to look at this, this guy is also such a downer. He's rude for no reason and repeatedly talks about how disgusting society is. "People are disgusting," he remarks. "My own father and mother are disgusting. You must be disgusting, too." Sure, he's a bit nicer to you if you tame his chicken, but even then, his praise is immediately followed by a request that you do something for him. I don't know, man. He just brings me down.

Excited for: The Bombchu Bowling Alley Operator

Long before Ramona Flowers--whose hair colors were actually inspired by the Zelda series, come to think about it--there was the Bombchu bowling alley operator. With her baby bangs and crop top, I can only assume she is the Hylian equivalent of the extremely cute and cool girl who works at a coffee shop and always knows of a great band you should check out. In short, the Bombchu bowling alley operator is the indie girlfriend blueprint, and alongside Princess Jasmine, she was one of my first female crushes. I am excited to see how her look as evolved over the years, but also hope her alternative style isn't switched up too much. After all, she's an icon for a reason.

Stay away: Dead Hands

As if all of Hyrule's spiders--sorry, Skulltulas-- and ReDeads weren't enough, Nintendo had to add these guys into the mix too? Their color palette? Upsetting. The detached hands that pin you down so they can crane their neck and nearly xenomorph bite you to death? Extremely usetting. There is a reason that, despite having played multiple horror games throughout my adult life, Dead Hands stick out to me as some of the most grotesque and frightening creatures I've faced off against. Again, upsetting!

Excited for: Dark Link

Dark Link is a unique entry on this list in that he is an enemy who I am excited to see again, but what can I say? He's just that cool. After an 11-year hiatus, the shadowy figure returned to the Zelda series as a mini-boss in Ocarina of Time, and even back then, you could tell Nintendo wanted it to feel like a spectacle. In some ways, this fight feels like my first brush with entering a soulslike arena. Not in the style of gameplay or combat, obviously, but because it evoked that same feeling as passing through a fog gate and facing off against this highly capable and threateningly aware warrior--like Lady Maria in Bloodborne, for example. Not only am I excited to see how Dark Link is rendered in 2026, I'm excited to see how this entire battle plays out. It has the opportunity to be one of the game's biggest set pieces, and I hope they take advantage of it.