Deep within the rocky peaks of Death Mountain in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time lies Goron City, the home of the proud and powerful Goron people. This bustling underground settlement plays a crucial role in Link’s journey, serving not just as a location for quests and story progression but also as a place rich with lore, culture, and character. With its unique vertical design and memorable inhabitants, Goron City stands out as one of the most iconic and beloved areas in the game. Exploring it reveals not only key items and story beats but also insights into the lives of the Gorons, their struggles, and their alliance with the Hero of Time.
Location and Structure of Goron City
Goron City is located partway up Death Mountain, accessible from Kakariko Village through a mountain trail. The entrance is a cave-like opening in the side of the rocky cliffs, leading into a cavernous interior built entirely within the mountain itself. The layout of Goron City is circular and vertically structured, with multiple layers and platforms spiraling around a central shaft. This verticality is not only visually striking but also adds to the city’s gameplay, encouraging players to explore from the top down and interact with various NPCs and mechanisms.
Goron City Layout Features
- Central Platform: A spinning, suspended platform often used for puzzles and traversal.
- Rope Ladders: Connecting the levels vertically, allowing Link to climb between layers.
- Goron Rooms: Small niches and chambers around the walls where Gorons rest and interact.
- King Darunia’s Room: Located at the top level, this room plays a central role in the main questline involving the Gorons.
The city is alive with movement as Gorons roll around the circular paths, sometimes needing to be stopped or interacted with to unlock secrets. The dynamic design adds depth to an otherwise compact area, making it memorable and engaging even after multiple visits.
Role in the Ocarina of Time Story
Goron City is not just a location to pass through; it’s a vital part of Link’s journey in Ocarina of Time. Early in the game, Link visits the city as a child to speak with Darunia, the Goron leader, in hopes of obtaining the Spiritual Stone of Fire. However, Darunia initially refuses to help until Link plays ‘Saria’s Song’ on the ocarina, which lifts his spirits and leads to an alliance between the Gorons and the Hero of Time.
Dodongo’s Cavern Crisis
At the time of Link’s visit, Goron City is in crisis. Dodongo’s Cavern, the Gorons’ main source of nourishment and mining, has been overrun with monsters. This blockage is part of Ganondorf’s attempt to exert control over Hyrule, cutting off resources and weakening potential resistance. Link agrees to help, and after defeating King Dodongo and clearing the cavern, he earns the trust of Darunia and receives the Goron’s Ruby, one of the three Spiritual Stones required to access the Sacred Realm.
Goron City in the Adult Timeline
When Link returns to Goron City as an adult, the tone is much darker. The city is nearly abandoned, and most Gorons have been captured by the dragon Volvagia and imprisoned in the Fire Temple. Only one Goron, a young descendant of Darunia named after Link, remains free. This phase of the game highlights the cost of Ganondorf’s reign and the strength of the bond between Link and the Gorons, as the Hero must once again rescue them from destruction.
Notable Characters in Goron City
Several key characters make their home in Goron City, each contributing to the narrative and gameplay in meaningful ways.
- Darunia: The proud and initially stubborn leader of the Gorons. He becomes one of Link’s closest allies and names Link his sworn brother.
- Young Link (Goron): A young Goron named after Link, providing clues and background during the adult timeline segment.
- Rolling Goron: A Goron constantly rolling in a loop who holds secrets and can provide important rewards if stopped with a bomb.
These characters help bring the city to life and make the player feel part of the world, reinforcing the connection between Link and the people he helps along the way.
Important Items and Quests
Several items and sidequests are linked to Goron City, making it a place worth revisiting throughout the game.
Goron’s Bracelet
After helping Darunia, Link is given the Goron’s Bracelet, allowing him to lift and throw bomb flowers. This ability is crucial for navigating parts of Death Mountain and solving puzzles in Dodongo’s Cavern.
Biggoron’s Sword Quest
Goron City also plays a part in the long trading sequence that eventually leads to the powerful Biggoron’s Sword. Visiting Biggoron at the mountain summit requires access through Goron City and involves interacting with several Gorons along the way.
Bomb Bag Upgrades
By stopping the rolling Goron as a child and winning the Goron City maze challenge, players can unlock Bomb Bag upgrades that increase Link’s capacity to carry bombs, improving both combat and puzzle-solving capabilities.
Atmosphere and Music
The atmosphere in Goron City is both warm and mysterious. As a child, the music is upbeat with a tribal tone that fits the Gorons’ cheerful nature. As an adult, the music becomes more somber, matching the dark circumstances that have befallen the city. The lighting, echoing sounds, and earthy textures add to the sense of being deep within a mountain, far from the surface.
This shift in tone between the child and adult timelines enhances the emotional weight of the Goron storyline, showing players the real impact of Ganondorf’s rule and giving motivation to restore peace to the land.
Legacy and Impact
Goron City has left a lasting impression on players and the Zelda franchise as a whole. It has reappeared in various forms in later games, including Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, and Majora’s Mask, where Gorons continue to play important roles. The design and structure of Goron City in Ocarina of Time influenced how future dungeon hubs and settlements would be crafted in the series, favoring interconnected vertical spaces and environmental storytelling.
Players often remember Goron City for its charm, its importance in the narrative, and the satisfaction of solving its layered puzzles. It is a hub of camaraderie, loyalty, and resilience a symbol of how Link’s actions influence the world around him. Whether you’re revisiting it for a quest or just exploring for fun, Goron City remains one of the most distinctive and emotionally impactful locations in the game.
Goron City in Ocarina of Time is more than just a place on the map. It’s a symbol of friendship, persistence, and the consequences of both courage and evil. From its vertical design and engaging sidequests to its memorable characters and musical ambiance, Goron City captures what makes the Zelda series timeless. It stands as a perfect blend of gameplay and storytelling, inviting players back again and again on their journey through Hyrule.