How to Play Zelda: The Missing Link on a Nintendo Switch

Gaming, ROM Hacking, Switch Hacking Leave a comment

The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link is a fan-made ROM Hack of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The ROM hack is created by Kaze Emanuar, a popular Super Mario 64 modder. Everyone knows Majora’s Mask is a sequel to Ocarina of Time – but what happened between the two games? The Missing Link attempts to stitch these two stories together and is a must play for Zelda fans! So, how can you play Zelda the Missing link on Switch? Read on…

Requirements

Download the files below. This tutorial will work on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

  1. Ocarina of Time .n64 or .z64 ROM file
  2. The Missing Link ROM patch
  3. Access to ROM Patcher website
  4. Nintendo Switch with Custom Firmware (CFW) enabled (choose one)
  5. RetroArch Emulator app for Nintendo Switch

How to play Zelda the Missing Link on Switch

Part One: Patch the Ocarina of Time ROM

Step 1. First, obtain a copy of an Ocarina of Time v1.0 ROM. This will be a .n64 or .z64 file, both work. This file won’t be linked here due to copyright.

Step 2. Next, download The Missing Link ROM patch. You will need the patch for your specific Ocarina of Time file type. For example, if you have the .z64 ROM, download the .z64 patch.

Step 3. Access the ROM patcher website here

  • OPTIONAL: Offline access (Download) – extract .zip archive and click on index.html

Step 4. On the ROM patcher website, select your Ocarina of Time ROM file and then the patch file. Click “Apply Patch” to apply The Missing Link ROM hack.

Note: If the patcher does not display a check mark “” (screenshot below), DO NOT PROCEED!

The Legend of Zelda The Missing Link ROM
Patched ROM

Part Two: Transfer files to your Nintendo Switch

Step 1. Download the RetroArch emulator for Nintendo Switch. Scroll down on that page for the Switch version.

  • OPTIONAL: Download the RetroArch Forwarder for accessing Retro Arch via Home Menu – Download (mirror)

Step 2. Transfer all files to the Nintendo Switch. There are two ways of doing this: via FTP or direct transfer. Choose a method below.

Direct Transfer (microSD)FTP Transfer (over network)
  1. Power off your Nintendo Switch and remove the micro SD card.
  2. Insert the micro SD card into your computer with an adapter such as this one.
  3. Open File Explorer and transfer your files like below.
    1. Extract RetroArch.7z and transfer the contents to the root directory of your Switch micro SD card.
    2. Create a roms folder on the root directory of your Switch’s micro SD card
    3. Inside of your roms folder, create an n64 folder
    4. Transfer your patched The Missing Link ROM file to the n64 folder
    5. OPTIONAL: If you downloaded the RetroArch forwarder, transfer it to:
      • SX OS:
      • Atmosphere:
  4. Remove the micro SD card from your computer, insert it into your Switch, and boot your Switch into your preferred custom firmware.
  1. On your Nintendo Switch, open your FTP server and obtain your Switch’s FTP IP Address and port.
    • For SX OS users, you already have an FTP server installed. Open it by going into the Album app, Options, and enabling the FTP server.
    • For Atmosphere users, you must already have an FTP server installed such as FTPD.nro.
  2. On your PC, open an FTP client such as FileZilla and enter your Switch’s IP address and port. You should not need a username/password.
  3. Transfer the files like below.
    1. Extract RetroArch.7z and transfer the contents to the root directory of your Switch’s micro SD card.
    2. Create a roms folder on the root directory of your Switch’s micro SD card
    3. Inside of your roms folder, create an n64 folder
    4. Transfer your patched The Missing Link ROM file to the n64 folder
    5. OPTIONAL: If you downloaded the RetroArch forwarder, transfer it to:
      • SX OS:
      • Atmosphere:

Part Three: Install RetroArch and tune settings

Step 1. OPTIONAL: If you downloaded the RetroArch forwarder.nsp, install it via Tinfoil or the SX OS NSP installer.

Step 2. Open RetroArch via the Homebrew Launcher or the forwarder app

Step 3. On the main menu, Load the N64 (Mupen64Plus) core

Step 4. Next, scroll down to “CPU Overclock” and select “Maximum Performance (1785 MHz)”. Read the disclaimer. Only enable this while you are playing the game.

retroarch cpu overclock

Step 5. To play the game, on the main menu, select “Load Content”, and select your Zelda The Missing Link ROM.

Step 6. Enjoy Zelda the Missing Link on Switch!

zelda the missing link on switch

Other ways to play

In addition to playing on a modded Nintendo Switch, there are other ways to enjoy this game:

  • Emulator on PC
  • Modded Wii via patched Virtual Console .WAD
  • Nintendo 64 with N64 Flashcart such as:

retroarch forwarder nintendo switch

Related Videos

The Missing Link: Behind the Scenes! Alpha Version Dev Commentary

Have any questions? Comments? Leave them below!