Link has a complete 72 hours before the world ends. Before it ends, you must warp back through time. 72 hours equal a total of three days and three nights spread evenly over 12 hours.
Telling Time
On the bottom of the screen is the in-game clock, which shows the time of day, hour, minute, current day, and weather time is flowing normally or slower than usual.
Inside the center of the clock is a diamond. This diamond will either say "1st", "2nd", or "Final" depending on which day it is. The diamond is originally green, indicating that time is flowing normally. Playing the Inverted Song of Time turns the diamond blue, indicating that the flow of time has slowed down to one-half of its normal speed. Rotating around the diamond is a little sun-like icon. This represents minutes. The hour changes when the icon makes one full clockwise rotation around the diamond. Incidentally, one game hour is forty-five real-life seconds when time is flowing normally. Surrounding the day and minute indicator is the hour indicator, represented by a semi-circle. There is a number that shows the hour, and an icon that represents the time of day. A sun icon means it is daylight, a moon means it is nighttime. Daytime begins at 6 A.M. and nighttime begins at 6 P.M.
In-game days always start and end at 6 A.M.
Manipulation
Three songs in-game help Link manipulate time to his liking.
- The Song of Time sends you back to 6 A.M. Day 1. Your progress also gets saved.
- The Inverted Song of Time slows time down. You'll want to sing this at the start of Day 1 every time.
- The Song of Double Time sends you to the next 6 A.M. or 6 P.M. depending on the time of day.
What is Saved and Lost in Time?
The Song of Time, however, can't save everything. Many things Link obtained will be lost and have to be found again.
Things that will be saved
- Any new songs that you learned
- Activated Owl Statues
- A major item such as the Bow, Bomb Bag, and Hookshot
- Maps purchased from Tingle
- Rupees that are in the Bank
- Masks
- Boss Remains
- Dungeon Maps & Compasses
- Great Fairy's gifts
- Any progress made in the Bombers' Notebook
Things that will be lost/reset
- Ammunition
- Bottled items
- People and events
- High scores
- Rupees in your pocket
- Opened chests (Usually prizes are restocked, or else they contain five rupees).
- Stray fairies
- Dungeons, including puzzles and the boss
- Small Keys and the Boss Key
Interrupted Save Feature
If you need to take a break but don't want to sing the Song of Time, then slash the Owl Statues with your sword. An activated statue will give you access the the Interrupted Save feature. This allows you to save all progress up to the point and quit the game. However, if you load up the save file, then turn off the power, the save file will not be there.