Filename Oddities

This is a sub-page of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

A large amount of the game's internal files and names are filled with abbreviations and alternate names. They range from references to earlier scenarios throughout development to simple naming schemes for types of files.

Maps#

To do: Verify that all the explanations of the file names are valid. Compare with the final Japanese names, too.

Dungeons/Temples#

Most dungeons had the internal name of "xxxdan", dan being short for the katakana for "dungeon", before they were individualized. This began with the earliest (test?) dungeon in the leaked files/overdump, known as "fstdan" for "first dungeon". Dungeons later split into two categories: dungeons and temples (神殿 shinden, usually shortened to "xxxsin"), probably when the Spiritual Stones/Sages' Medallions were introduced into the scenario and the plot was further developed.

This name reflects the fact that the Deku Tree was known as the Fairy Tree in an earlier stage of development.

Just a name change to "cavern". The theming of the dungeon was clearly decided early on.

This filename comes from the fleshy walls inside Jabu-Jabu.

This unusual filename may reflect the fact that the Forest Temple is the second incarnation of a dungeon which was once a wind temple.

Originally one of the "dungeons", redefined as a temple. 火 hi was changed to 炎 honoo, another word for fire.

No difference in meaning.

In earlier builds, the Spirit Temple was known as the "Evil Goddess Din Statue".

Seems that the Shadow Temple was originally categorized as a dungeon.

The Bottom of the Well is a child-only sub-section of the Shadow Temple area, accessible only as Young Link. The "CH" suffix stands for "child", distinguishing it from the adult Shadow Temple (HAKAdan). Both share the same graveyard theming of their parent filename. Although in some areas with Like Like, Deku Shield objects are carried in these rooms, for some strange reason it makes us think that Bottom of the Well and Shadow Temple were somehow the same Dungeon.

The filename is a straightforward hybrid of English "ice" and the Japanese 洞窟 doukutu (cave/cavern). Unlike the temples, which adopted the "sin" suffix, the Ice Cavern kept its descriptive name throughout development, suggesting its identity was defined early and never significantly redesigned.

Ganon.

This filename is unusually short and non-descriptive. Another interesting detail is that this dungeon in Space World 97 is referred to in the texts as a Special Course, which indicates that it is a dungeon with simple challenges.

The filename uses the English word "way" to describe the path through the Gerudo fortress, suggesting it was originally conceived as a traversal area leading somewhere rather than a self-contained hideout. The final name "Thieves' Hideout" reflects a shift in design emphasis toward the infiltration gameplay.

地下 tika (underground/basement) reflects that this area is the interior of Ganon's Castle — literally the space beneath the tower. The name predates the final distinction between the castle exterior, interior trials, and the tower above.

その後 sonogo means "after that" or "what comes next", indicating this is the version of Ganon's Tower used after the main battle — specifically the collapsing tower escape sequence. The same "sonogo" suffix is reused for the basement counterpart below.

A direct combination of ganontika (Ganon's basement) and sonogo (post/after), this is the collapsing version of the castle interior used during the escape sequence after Ganondorf's defeat. It shares the same layout as ganontika but with different room flags and destruction effects active.

宝 takara means treasure and 屋 ya means shop or house, giving a straightforward "treasure shop". The final English name "Treasure Chest Shop" is a direct translation of the concept, with no significant design change implied by the filename.

Once again, this filename reflects the fact that Deku Tree was known as the Fairy Tree in an earlier stage of development.

Consistent with the parent dungeon name ddan, the boss room retains the Dodongo theming throughout development with no meaningful change implied.

Once again, this filename reflects the fleshy walls Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly.

The filename is Forest Boss Room, It's self-explanatory.

Consistent with the parent dungeon HIDAN, the boss room uses the English word "FIRE" rather than the Japanese 火 hi or 炎 honoo. The "_bs" suffix is a shortened form of "boss", the same convention used for MIZUsin_bs and HAKAdan_bs.

Directly derived from the parent temple name MIZUsin, with the "_bs" boss suffix appended. The Water Temple's identity was stable enough that neither the temple nor its boss room required renaming at any point in development.

Once again, this filename reflects how the Spirit Temple was once called the "Evil Goddess Din Statue".

Consistent with the parent dungeon HAKAdan, the boss room retains the grave dungeon naming. Notably the Japanese in the table reads 墓ダンボス rather than 墓ダンジョン - ボス, suggesting a slight abbreviation in the internal label.

The arena where Ganondorf is fought at the top of his tower. The use of plain "ganon" rather than a more descriptive name suggests this room's identity was always tied directly to the final confrontation with Ganon, with no significant redesign of its purpose throughout development.

The outdoor area used for the final phase of the Ganon battle and the escape sequence. "Final" distinguishes this from ganon_boss (the indoor Ganondorf fight) and ganon_sonogo (the collapsing tower interior), indicating all three were conceived as sequential stages of the endgame.

A simple English abbreviation of "entrance", reflecting the market entrance area of Hyrule Castle Town as seen during the day in Child Link's timeline. The companion files entra_n and enrui cover the night and ruins versions respectively. This also leads us to understand that the Hyrule Market area didn't have a defined name across the various older builds; it was even once called "downtown."

The night version of the market entrance. The "_n" suffix for night is consistent with other paired day/night maps throughout the game (market_day/market_night, hairal_niwa/hairal_niwa_n, etc.).

Non-field maps#

The post-apocalyptic ruins version of the market entrance, seen in Adult Link's timeline after Ganondorf's conquest. The "rui" suffix likely derives from 廃墟 haikyo (ruins) or simply from the English word "ruins" abbreviated.

The filename version refers to Back Alley as part of the Market.

The filename version refers to Back Alley as part of the Market, the suffix "n" represents the night version.

The market is open during the day, without specifying whether Adult or Child Link would use this place.

The market is open during the night, without specifying whether Adult or Child Link would use this place.

The market in ruins, without specifying whether Adult or Child Link would use this place.

The English word "shrine" was used for the Temple of Time exterior, reflecting its sacred nature. Notably an English word was chosen over a Japanese equivalent such as 神殿 shinden, suggesting this location was named early with a distinct identity separate from the temples.

The night version of the Temple of Time exterior. Follows the standard "_n" convention used across night map variants.

The ruined version of the Temple of Time exterior seen in Adult Link's timeline. The "_r" suffix for ruins is unique to this map — other ruins variants use the full word "ruins".

As the numbering suggests, the Know-It-All Brothers' House was the earliest Kokiri house interior to be created. However, Kokiri - Home 2 seems to have been removed from the final game.

The third Kokiri house interior, used for the Twins' House. The numbering skips Kokiri - Home 2, which appears to have been removed from the final game.

The fourth Kokiri house interior, used for Mido's House.

The fifth and final Kokiri house interior, used for Saria's House.

As the numbering suggests, the Carpenter Boss's House was the earliest Kakariko house interior to be created. However, Kakariko 2 seems to have been removed from the final game.

The third Kakariko interior, repurposed for the Back Alley House of the Man in Green in Hyrule Castle Town. Like impa, this suggests several Market interiors were originally designed as Kakariko Village buildings before being reassigned.

A generic "shop 1" label with no character or area specificity, suggesting it was the first generic shop interior created. The final name "Bazaar" came much later.

Named directly after the Gorons rather than the shop function.

Similarly, named after the Zoras rather than the shop. The double "o" in "zoora" is a romanization artifact of the Japanese ゾーラ Zoora.

"Drug" refers to "drugstore".

This filename suggests that the potion shop in Hyrule Castle Town Market's main square was once located in the Back Alley.

This filename reflects the fact that the Bombchu shop is open only at night.

The "face" in the filename refers to masks (仮面 kamen or お面 omen), which cover the face.

A straightforward descriptive name with no developmental implications.

This filename reflects the fact that the interior of the Dog Lady's house in the Back Alley was originally created as the interior of Impa's house in Kakariko Village.

The final name simply calls it "Stable" without the character reference.

This filename reflects the fact that the interior of Impa's house in Kakariko Village was originally created as the interior of the Lakeside Laboratory.

This filename reflects the fact that the interior of Impa's house in Kakariko Village was originally created as the interior of the Lakeside Laboratory.

The file name is quite simple, the use of tents would be quite commonplace in development, but one in particular became shelter for the Carpenters of Kakariko Village.

No surprises here.

This filename reflects the horizontal entrance to the Upgrades fairy fountains, which are accessed via a fountain.

This filename reflects the vertical entrance to the healing fairy fountains, which involves falling down a grotto hole and warping back up to the surface.

This filename reflects the horizontal entrance to the spell fairy fountains, which are accessed via a cave.

Accurately describe the hidden grottos

Accurately describe the grave grottos

Accurately describe the grave grottos for version 2.

The name is self-explanatory.

The name is self-explanatory.

Logically, a chamber is a confined space within a temple, but at the same time, the definition of a temple in Ocarina of Time is closely related to Dungeons; it's possible the change was made to adapt all the medallions to their respective temples.

A confined space for the Sages, could it be the same place where the Chamber of Time is located? A parallel version of the same place?

An outdoor garden area of Hyrule Castle

An outdoor garden area of Hyrule Castle, but in night.

The name suggests it's a cutscene map, but Hyrule seems quite specific, perhaps the idea was a way to group cutscenes about Hyrule.

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

This filename suggests that the Hyrule Castle Town guards use this small, jar-strewn room, with windows overlooking Hyrule Field, as a lookout point.

xxx

xxx

xxx

Field "Spot" maps#

These maps' filenames were never updated with their final area names.

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

xxx

Spot 14 seems to have been removed from the final game.

xxx

xxx

xxx

Spot 19 seems to have been removed from the final game.

xxx

Misc maps (end of Spot maps)#

xxx

Interestingly, unlike other testing maps, this one says nothing about testing.

This filename reflects the fact that this room was used for testing combat. (In this case, a mini-boss battle against two Stalfos that was incorporated into the Forest Temple.)

This room was used for testing combat. (In this case, a boss battle against a giant Stalfos that was removed from the final game.)

...

Curiously, though the map is unused and contains graphical errors that prevent it from functioning properly, the filename suggests that this was an additional map for an older version of the Castle Hedge Maze minigame.

This filename suggests the room was used for testing by programmer Makoto Sasaki.

Actors#

Often the file names for actors start with "en", possibly short for "entity".

Objects#

Objects usually are prefixed with "o".