Map Glitch is a trick that disables most triggers that would cause a new area to load (such as loading zones) and most triggers that would cause the current area to reload (such as void planes). It does not generally disable cutscene triggers, and it also does not disable save point triggers (triggers that define where a save is loaded).
It's important to note that the option to warp from the map screen is not initially available. The ability to do so is only obtained during the cutscene that plays after opening the portal in the Kakariko Gorge area, in which Midna forces Link to warp to Faron Province.
Notes:
- This trick only works on the USA and PAL/AUS GCN versions, as well as the USA 1.0, PAL/AUS, and JPN Wii versions. Other versions will not disable loading triggers on the map as they are disabled later in the warping process.
- Whenever the interrupting action is talking to Midna and the trick starts with Link as Wolf, it is also possible to trigger a Midna Jump instead. This still provides Map Glitch, but Midna goes to the jump location rather than talking to Link.
- Every method shown here is frame-perfect; there is only a one-frame window on the requisite timing inputs. This can be either two inputs on the same frame or one input on a specific frame.
Map Glitch may be canceled in a variety of ways. Keep in mind that all of these involve loading an area:
- Loading another area, such as via using a Howling Stone (as is done when performing Snowpeak Early) or a cutscene which causes an area load (as what happens when performing King Bulblin Fight in the Bulblin Camp Early).
- Savewarping, often after hitting a savewarp trigger (as is done when performing Earliest Snowpeak) or after setting Epona OoB to obtain her later (as was once done when performing Epona OoB to reach Lanayru Province Early).
- Warping to another area, usually when using Map Glitch to reach a collectable or pickup earlier than intended.
Importantly, there are some softlocks and freezes to be aware of:
- The Game Over screen will softlock. Continuing will just leave you stuck on the screen and you will not respawn. An important exception is the frozen water in Snowpeak Province; this triggers an area reload in addition to doing damage and thus will reload the area if you gameover from it.
- Attempting to use action-based (dig, interact) loading zones will freeze. This is most notable during Snowpeak Early, if you forget to reload the room and go to dig to the next area.
- Opening a door that Link cannot go through without falling will cause the game to softlock. While this isn't really something you'd encounter in a run, it is important to note.
Note: If you are struggling to press both D-Right/D-Left and Z on the same frame, you can unplug your controller, press and hold both buttons, and then plug the controller back in. This will cause the game to read both inputs on the same frame.
Notes: The whole suite of inputs in Step 2 is the following: Standing still and holding Z, press A, B, and D-Up on the same frame. One of A or B can be held down in advance after Z is held, but the other of those two plus D-Up must be input on the same frame.
By alternating A + B inputs frame perfectly after selecting the warp option, you can delay the map from coming up until you stop alternating these inputs. This can be done without map warping.
Note: This only works in cases where there is enough lead-up time to start the map delay before it opens. Most notably, it does not work for the forced warp after the Kakariko Gorge portal opening. Full details on Universal Map Delay may be found at the Universal Map Delay page.
This version may be performed without the ability to warp via the Map Screen, though warping via Midna is still required. However, it can only be done as Wolf with Midna riding on Link's back.
Note: The reason this only works on these objects is because of how long it takes for the A button to reappear after talking to Midna. For most objects, there is about a one second delay before the A button reappears. With these objects, however, the A button reappears almost instantly.
Originally discovered as an alternative method for Wii versions, where the GCN-style (Midna button + map button) does not work as the inputs do not register together. The above method is generally easier and has the same requirements.
This version also may be performed without the ability to warp via the Map Screen, though warping via Midna is still required. However, it can only be done as Wolf with Midna riding on Link's back.
Note: Because of the restrictions on the dig spot, this is by far the most limited method. There are only six dig spots in the game which work for this style of map glitch, and two of them are in Snowpeak Ruins (and you can't warp in dungeons). The other two locations are in the Kakariko Gorge area, at the gate blocking the entrance to Kakariko Village, prior to it being opened, and in South Faron, at the side of the gate blocking access to the dark tunnel connecting South Faron to the Faron Woods (as shown in the video).