Musician Jon Batiste discussed the game's soundtrack during the New York launch event for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Switch 2 remaster. He believes that simple chord changes give the music a sense of vastness, allowing these melodies to convey their charm independently even outside the game's scenes.
Batiste explained that the game alternates between major and minor chords built from root, third, and fifth intervals, creating a nostalgic sound that feels as if it comes from a bygone era. The melody and harmony constantly expand and contract, echoing the sense of openness in Link's world.
Rather than simply ranking individual tracks, he viewed the entire soundtrack as a suite: different themes are interconnected while retaining their unique characteristics. "Song of Storms" is his personal favorite. Batiste also recalled that around age 11, he would often turn to instruments after finishing games, playing Nintendo game music on the piano.
Batiste's gaming journey began with Donkey Kong, Duck Hunt, and Super Mario Bros., and he later developed a love for fighting game music through titles like Street Fighter II. Discussing the internet meme that "Guile's Theme Goes with Everythinggj," he noted that the track's brass intro, call-and-response bass lines, tempo, and driving momentum quickly capture attention, while also evoking the heroic themes of 1980s action movies.