Back in Time Glitch

Discovered by Mast3rlinkX

The Back In Time glitch (BiT) is a bizarre trick that allows you to respawn on the title screen map.

Quicksand or Lava Method

  1. Find some lava or quicksand and jump into it
  2. Wait until the line of lava or quicksand reaches about halfway between Link's wrist and his knuckles
  3. On the Wii version, press the Home button on the Wiimote, and select Reset. On the GameCube version press the Reset Button.

Over a Void Method

  1. Find a void to jump into, and make sure there isn't any solid ground that you might pass over or touch down on.
  2. Hit reset.
  3. If done right you should be able to see Link's arms just start to raise up as the screen turns black.

Ooccoo Warp Method

  1. Obtain an Ooccoo (Sr. and Jr. both work).
  2. Use the Ooccoo to warp away.
  3. Hit reset just as Link starts to spin and warp away. (The timing to reset is slightly different between Sr. and Jr.)

Tips

  • Make sure that you're not jumping over or near anything solid, since this can alter the proper timing for the reset.
  • If playing the Gamecube version, it's easier if you hold down on the Reset button on the Wii/Gamecube and release it, instead of pushing the reset button.
  • You can also reset the GameCube version by holding down on Start + B + X. However, it takes about a second for the reset to register.
  • Do a Jump Attack into the void, and press D-Up to open your inventory screen as Link draws his sword back. If the sword is horizontal with the screen, Hold down on X, then Start, then B.

Effects

When done correctly, you will respawn in the title screen map (a stripped down version of Eldin Bridge that lacks loading triggers). Pressing start will cause the title screen logo to pop open, and on the Wii version pressing A or B will sometimes crash the game (see Wii Precautions for ways to help avoid this). If you jump into the void, you will gain normal control of Link. You can save here to create the Back in Time Game File. If you Gameover and continue, you'll respawn at the first King Bublin fight. Unfortunately, due to the Back in Time Save effect, Kakariko will be covered in Twilight after you beat King Bublin, and due to the fact that you are totally itemless, it's impossible to continue the game.

Any% Speedrun Use

If you do the Back in Time Glitch at the very beginning of the game and save, you can save about five minutes. See Back in Time Save page for more information.

Fast BiT at Ordon Bridge (GCN)

Setup by Venick

The fastest way to do Back in Time at the beginning of the game is to sidehop off the bridge and reset on the correct frame. A good setup for this is to align link in the left corner of the gate, sidehop, then bring up the item wheel on the frame where Link's right foot is in front of the rope, as shown in the video below. Then hold Start + X + B (in that order) to close the item wheel and reset at the same time.

Consistent BiT at Ordon Bridge (GCN)

Discovered by Dragonbane

There is a consistent set-up for BiT at Ordon Bridge which involves pressing D-right and A at the same time which uses the map to buffer.

1) Hang off the edge shown in the video between the two ropes

2) Press D-Right and A at the same time (alternatively you can unplug your controller, hold D-right and A then plug it back in, this assures they are both pressed on the same frame)

3) You will see Link drop a frame and the map come up, zoom out once so next time you press B it will cancel the map

4) Soft Reset by pressing Start+X+B (making sure B was pressed last)

Consistent BiT on Hyrule Castle Rooftops

Discovered by Dragonbane

There is a consistent set-up for BiT on the Hyrule Castle Rooftops.

1) Stand on the spot shown in the video between the battlements after the stairs so that Wolf Link's tail barely touches the black splodge on the ground and his paw is on the small black line.

2) Hold B for a split second and D-up to open the Item Menu immediately after releasing it.

3) You will see Wolf Link slightly jump. If you hear him bark you pressed D-Up too late.

4) Soft Reset by pressing Start+X+B (making sure B was pressed last). You will hear Wolf Link bark as soon as you trigger the Reset.

Consistent BiT on Sacred Grove Entrance

Discovered by Dragonbane

There is a consistent set-up for BiT at the Entrance of Sacred Grove.

1) Leave Sacred Grove and hug the Wall to the right until you reach the ledge. Wolf Links back left paw has to be in the upper half of the black splodge.

2) Hold B for a split second and D-up to open the Item Menu immediately after releasing it.

3) You will see Wolf Link slightly jump. If you hear him bark you pressed D-Up too late.

4) Soft Reset by pressing Start+X+B (making sure B was pressed last). You will hear Wolf Link bark as soon as you trigger the Reset.

BiT on Ordon Bridge (Wii)

Discovered by LogitechSDAZ

It is possible to do Back in Time on the Wii Version of the game as well.
Since the reset mechanism on the Wii works different, the consistent setups above are not working on Wii, so you just have to buffer at the correct frame.
The video below shows the frame for Soft Reset (via the Home Button). Hard Reset is possible as well and saves 2 seconds, but is hard to pull off. Top video is south end of bridge, bottom video is north end of bridge.

Consistent BiT on Ordon Bridge with Pause Menu (Wii)

Setup by Wolf in Water

This setup is lenient and can be done anywhere on Ordon bridge, provided Link sidehops into the void. Note that this setup is best for 1.0 and PAL, but can be done on 1.2 as well. Steps:

1) Hold Z (target).

2) While holding left or right, press A to sidehop and + to pull the pause menu.

3) If successful, Link will begin his sidehop animation. If Link does not sidehop then retry step 2.

4) If Link is on frame 1 of his sidehop, then unpause and console reset as soon as the menu fades to black. If Link is on frame 2, then console reset right after unpausing.

The video below demonstrates both scenarios (goes into more detail) and also shows how this setup works with Home Menu Reset.

Consistent BiT on Ordon Bridge with Iron Boots (Wii)

Setup by Simikins

This setup requires Iron Boots.
Equip Iron Boots, then hang off the right side ledge of the bridge, then press A to drop and open the item wheel at the same time. Close the item wheel, then open the map 1 frame(?) later. Then close the map and hit the home button at the same time (You should hear the map close sound effect briefly). Reset the game using the home menu prompt.

Last updated 11/08/2023 – Taka