Since its original release on the N64, players have discovered a lot of hidden details and exploitable glitches in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. One of the more popular tricks involves glitching the game to create a "Swordless Link," who can now run through the game without his precious Kokiri or Master Sword. It's an odd glitch, but it comes with a host of weird side effects, ranging from using items while riding Epona to defying the in-game physics. Since there are multiple versions of the game, the processes for getting Swordless Link are a little different.
Because the Ocarina of Time has been heavily data-mined for tiny details, fans have discovered lots of scrapped features and exploitable glitches like Swordless Link. There are several methods players can use and most (but not all) of them involve getting to the final battle with Ganon. Still, some methods are definitely easier than others. On the N64, for example, it's possible to lift a corner of the Ocarina of Time cartridge (while the game is running) in such a way that Link himself will disappear but the game continues to run, allowing players to bypass the Kokiri guard and enter Hyrule Field without a sword or shield. However, this is not recommended.
The easiest method for Swordless Link is available on the N64 and 3DS versions of Ocarina of Time. Players must wait until Ganon knocks the Master Sword out of Link's hands, save their game, and then reset it. Once the game is booted back up, Link will be back on the first floor of Ganon's Tower with no sword equipped. This is the point where some players like to call up Epona and exploit the glitch in order to use C-items (on the N64) while riding Link's trusty steed. This is the easiest and best method for getting Swordless Link — but there are other methods for other versions of the game.
Other Methods For Swordless Link in Ocarina Of Time
An alternate method (and one that is much more complicated) involves using The Legend of Zelda's Ocarina Items glitch. After using this glitch, Link needs to play the Sun's Song to move time and restart the cutscene showing Ganon knocking away the Master Sword. This causes the sword to be unequipped in Link's inventory. Players can then save and reset their games, and once again Link will appear back on the first floor of Ganon's Tower without a sword.
A different method for glitching Swordless Link can be used in the 3DS version of Ocarina of Time. First, players will need to unlock Farore's Wind, a song that's given to Link by the Great Fairy of Magic. The Great Fairy of Magic is found in Zora's Fountain by destroying a wall behind Lord Jabu-Jabu. Like the other methods, players will first have to get to the final battle with Ganon and wait for Ganon to knock away the Master Sword, and then use the Restricted Items glitch to play Farore's Wind and warp back to an earlier Warp Point. It should be noted, however, that the Master Sword will return after players quit the game and restart it. This will occur whether the game is saved or not.
Now that Swordless Link has been unlocked, players can exploit a whole new set of sub-glitches in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, like making Link walk around in antigravity and using Epona as a pack mule. As players continue to experiment with the game, even so long after release, it's possible more tricks and glitches could be discovered soon.