The screen glows in my hands, the N64 cartridge slotting in with a soft click. I press the power button and the game logo appears, flickering like tiny stars against blackness. Then, it’s gone, replaced by an ancient stone path leading to a grand castle. A young boy stands on the steps of the castle, facing a giant owl perched atop a cliff. The owl’s eyes narrow and the screen goes dark as if cut with a knife.

The world swirls around the boy, showing glimpses of forests, lakes, and villages before settling back into the castle. He picks up an ocarina from a table near him, and the screen fades to black once more. This time, it’s a bright green forest with sunlight filtering through leaves, a deer running away from a clearing. The boy plays a tune on his ocarina—A, D, E, A—and I hear it too.

The camera pulls back, revealing a path leading up a hill to the castle entrance, where a man in a red outfit stands. He nods at the boy who continues playing, and then he steps forward. The screen goes black again, signaling the end of this part of the journey.

I press start to begin my adventure.