Master Quest DLC Rumour: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 Data Found

Quick Answer: Data miners have found 'MQ' labels and Master Quest-related strings hidden in the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, hinting at possible Master Quest DLC — but Nintendo has not confirmed anything, and this remains a rumour.

By the TechGamer App Review Team · Published November 10, 2026

The Ocarina of Time remake launched on November 5, 2026 as a Switch 2 exclusive, bringing overhauled visuals, voiced cutscenes, symphonic music, a boss-rush mode called the Hall of Fallen Foes, and collectible 'fairy thoughts'. Less than a week later, players digging through the game's files believe they've found evidence of more content on the way.

The discovery, reported by Nintendo Life and GamingBible, points to the return of Master Quest — the remixed version of Ocarina of Time that originally appeared on GameCube. Here's what the data actually shows, what Master Quest is, and what it might mean for the remake.

What the leaked data actually shows

Data miner MrCheeze posted on BlueSky that game data in the Switch 2 remake contains 'MQ' labels sitting next to dungeon names such as 'DodongoCavern'. On its own, that could mean almost anything — an internal test flag, a leftover from development, or a genuine second quest mode.

MrCheeze then shared a follow-up that adds context: strings inside the game's executable file (the exefs) read HasMQ, IsMQModeExist, NewGameMQ, ReleaseMQ. Together, these strings read less like leftovers and more like a mode that can be toggled on, started from a new game, and potentially "released" via an update — but that is interpretation, not confirmation.

Found string	Where it was found	What it likely means (interpretation)
'MQ' next to 'DodongoCavern'	Game data files	Alternate versions of dungeon data, tagged MQ for Master Quest
HasMQ	Exefs (executable)	A check for whether Master Quest content is present on the system
IsMQModeExist	Exefs (executable)	A check for whether an MQ mode is currently available or unlocked
NewGameMQ	Exefs (executable)	Starting a new save file in an MQ mode
ReleaseMQ	Exefs (executable)	Possibly tied to unlocking or activating MQ content — possibly via a patch or DLC

Two important caveats: the strings could belong to content that was planned and then cut, and none of this constitutes an announcement. As Nintendo Life puts it, take all of this with a pinch of salt.

What is Master Quest, anyway?

For anyone who missed the GameCube era, Master Quest was a special re-release of Ocarina of Time that worked like a "New Game+" for the 1998 classic. It remixed the layout of the game's dungeons, added and changed enemies, and moved Gold Skulltula locations — turning a familiar adventure into a puzzle box for veterans.

The GameCube version is also one of that console's rarest games: it originally shipped as a pre-order bonus bundled with The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, making it a collector's item. Master Quest later returned on Nintendo 3DS in Ocarina of Time 3D, unlockable after finishing the main quest — and that version went further, mirroring the entire game world and doubling enemy damage.

Feature	Original Ocarina of Time	Master Quest (GameCube)
Dungeon layouts	As designed in 1998	Remixed and reworked room-by-room
Enemies	Standard placement and types	Added or changed enemy placements
Gold Skulltulas	In original locations	Moved to new spots
Difficulty	Familiar to veterans	Higher — old knowledge actively works against you
How it was released	Standard retail	Wind Waker pre-order bundle; later in Ocarina of Time 3D
Mirrored world	No	No (that arrived with the 3DS version)

The fact that Master Quest was bundled free (or nearly free) with past releases is why many fans are already arguing it should be a free update this time too — though the remake is a ground-up rebuild, which changes the cost equation somewhat.

What Nintendo has (and hasn't) said

Nintendo has not confirmed Master Quest DLC for the remake. When producer Eiji Aonuma was asked in an IGN interview whether Master Quest was considered for the remake, he said: "I don't think that we would announce anything specific at this time." That is a non-answer rather than a denial — and it's worth reading it exactly that way, no more.

Context cuts both ways. On one hand, Nintendo Life notes that almost all first-party Nintendo games now get post-launch DLC, whether free or paid, so Ocarina of Time getting some form of expansion would surprise nobody. On the other hand, "at this time" could equally describe content that was considered and shelved.

When might we hear more?

There is no official timeline, because there is no official confirmation. If the MQ files point to real upcoming content, history suggests Nintendo would announce it in a Direct-style presentation or shadow-drop it as an update — but any date, price, or scope beyond that is speculation. The sensible play is to watch for a Nintendo announcement rather than treat the data mine as a promise.

Player type	Best move right now	Why
Series veteran who wants a challenge	Wait for official news before deciding	Master Quest is the classic answer to "too easy" — and the MQ strings suggest it may exist in some form
New to Ocarina of Time	Play the remake now	The base game is complete on its own; MQ rumours shouldn't delay a first playthrough
Collectors and completionists	Finish everything, stay subscribed to Nintendo news	Any MQ mode would likely add new Skulltula hunting or reworked rewards
Skeptical players	Treat this as a rumour only	Nintendo has confirmed nothing, and cut-content leftovers are a real possibility

For more on the game itself, see our Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake launch coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Master Quest DLC confirmed for the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake?

No. This is a rumour based on data mining. Nintendo has not announced or confirmed any Master Quest content, and the found files could also be leftovers from cancelled or cut plans.

What did data miners find in Ocarina of Time on Switch 2?

Data miner MrCheeze found 'MQ' labels next to dungeon names like 'DodongoCavern' in the game data, plus exefs strings reading HasMQ, IsMQModeExist, NewGameMQ, and ReleaseMQ — all of which reference Master Quest.

What is Master Quest in Ocarina of Time?

Master Quest is a special re-release of Ocarina of Time that remixed dungeon layouts, added and changed enemies, and moved Gold Skulltula locations. It originally launched on GameCube as a Wind Waker pre-order bundle and later appeared in Ocarina of Time 3D.

What did Aonuma say about Master Quest?

In an IGN interview, producer Eiji Aonuma said "I don't think that we would announce anything specific at this time" when asked whether Master Quest was considered for the remake — neither confirming nor denying it.

How is the GameCube Master Quest different from the 3DS version?

The GameCube version remixed dungeons, enemies, and Skulltula locations. The 3DS version included those changes and also mirrored the entire game world and doubled enemy damage, making it the harder of the two.

When did the Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remake launch?

It launched on November 5, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, with overhauled visuals, voiced cutscenes, symphonic music, a boss-rush Hall of Fallen Foes mode, and collectible fairy thoughts.

Would Master Quest DLC be free or paid?

Nobody knows yet, since the DLC itself is unconfirmed. Nintendo Life notes nearly all first-party Nintendo games get post-launch DLC, free or paid — and fans are split, since Master Quest was bundled at no extra cost in past releases.

Disclosure

This article is independent editorial coverage based on the sources listed below. It contains no affiliate links and no sponsorship, and we received no compensation from Nintendo or any other party.

Ocarina of Time Switch 2: Master Quest DLC Rumour Explained