Original artwork, not a still
Hey! Listen!
— The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time ‧ 1998
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
What was meant as helpful guidance became gaming's most famous example of an assistant that will not stop talking. Fans split the line into a running joke about the least welcome tutorial ever written, and the phrase now stands for any nagging notification or overeager help prompt. The creators took the complaints seriously: Zelda sidekicks since have been far quieter, and Navi's shriek is the standard reference point for the problem.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeShow the scene
In Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64, 1998), Navi is the fairy the Great Deku Tree sends to be Link's partner, and she hovers beside him through the whole game. Whenever she has advice, her name flashes at the top of the screen. She also calls out when she spots something or someone Link should look at, and pressing the C-Up button makes her explain it. The calls are two separate shouts, a high-pitched Hey! and then Listen!, voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi, and the shout repeats every time Link ignores her.
Sources (2)
- Zelda Wiki: NaviGameplay sectionReference checked
- Zelda Wiki: Iconic quotes in The Legend of Zelda seriesSection on this lineReference checked
Context reviewed