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SOJ Zelda · Guides
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How many Japanese guides did Ocarina of Time get?

Three at the time, and they are three different kinds of book: a guide, a magazine style mook, and an encyclopedia.

Ocarina of Time was the biggest game release in Japan in 1998, and its book shelf shows it. Three licensed Japanese books were published for the Nintendo 64 game, each from a different corner of the licensed guide trade.

The official book is Shogakukan's Nintendo Official Guidebook under the Wonder Life Special label, published in December 1998, a month after the game. At 155 pages it is the player's guide of the three, with the full walkthrough, maps and collectible checklists.

The second is the Dengeki guide from MediaWorks, published in January 1999 under its strategy king line. It is not a conventional book at all but a magazine format mook priced at ¥500 (about $4 at the time), the cheap and fast end of the market. Its back cover carries an illustration made only for the Japanese edition, Link raising his sword in a stone chamber.

The third is the Ocarina of Time Encyclopedia, a data and reference book rather than a walkthrough. It first appeared from Aspect in April 1999 and was reissued by Enterbrain in June 2000, which makes it two collectible variants of one book. The 3DS remake would add four more licensed guides in 2011, covered on their own page in this shelf.

THE THREE BOOKS

One game, three kinds of book, 1998 to 1999
Nintendo Official Guidebook
Shogakukan, Wonder Life Special, December 1998. 155 pages, ISBN 978-4-09-102660-6. The official player's guide.
Dengeki strategy mook
MediaWorks, January 1999, ISBN 4-07-310746-1. A magazine format book at ¥500 (about $4 at the time), with a Japan only illustration on its back cover.
Ocarina of Time Encyclopedia
Aspect, April 1999, then Enterbrain, June 2000. A reference book in two editions, covered on its own page in this shelf.
Is the Japanese Ocarina of Time guide cover the same as the American? → More from the Library →
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THE FIRST WORD

New pages and new pieces, first.