The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is still held in the highest critical regard as one of the finest examples of the video game medium even now, 22 years after its creation. The same is true of the game's music, whose enthusiastic reception continues to be evident, both in the context of the game, and in orchestral concerts and recordings of the game's music.

Music is at the forefront of Ocarina of Time. It connects and unifies all aspects of the game, from the narrative conceit to the interactive mechanics, from the characters to the virtual worlds, and even into the activity of legions of fans and gamers, who play, replay and reconfigure the music in an enduring cultural site that has Ocarina of Time at its centre.

The most extensive investigation into the music of a single game yet undertaken, this book serves three important primary purposes: firstly, it provides a historical-critical account of the music of an important video game text, secondly, it uses this investigation to explore wider issues in music and media studies (including interactivity, fan cultures and music and technology) and thirdly, it serves as a model for future in-depth studies of video game music.

Part of the Studies in Video Game Sound and Music series.