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Zelda Ocarina of Time Runs Natively on iPad
28 Jul
Summary
- Ocarina of Time was natively ported to iPadOS.
- AI assisted in creating an iOS compatibility layer.
- The game now runs at 60FPS and full resolution.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a title previously exclusive to Nintendo consoles, has now been successfully ported to run natively on iPadOS. This significant achievement was made possible through the use of an open-source project called Ship of Harkinian, with AI playing a crucial role in developing an iOS compatibility layer. This advancement allows older console games to potentially run on different operating systems.
The native port boasts a remarkable performance upgrade. Unlike its original release on the Nintendo 64, which suffered from low resolution and frame rates, this iPad version runs at a stable 60 frames per second and full resolution. The game's code was decompiled into C and rebuilt as a native ARM64 application utilizing Apple's Metal graphics API, ensuring optimized performance on modern hardware.
Users can control Ocarina of Time using the iPad's touchscreen or connect Bluetooth accessories, including controllers, keyboards, and mice. The complete build and instructions for running the game on an iPhone or iPad are publicly available on GitHub, empowering enthusiasts to experience this classic title on a new platform.