How to complete the Flag Races in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom brings back the beloved horse racing minigame, adding yet another layer to its already-packed adventure. Saddle up and read on to learn how to pass these trials!

There are plenty of unique rewards to get, including one for unlocking Automatons. This guide will help explain all the rewards and the best ways to get them.

How to unlock the Flag Race

Before you can hit the trail, you’ll first need to unlock the ability to ride a horse. We have a guide for the first part here. Afterward, you’ll need to complete the quest “Impa’s Gift.” Doing so will allow you to speak to the woman in Hyrule Ranch and start running the courses. You’ll start with the short race, and unlock the longer ones as you complete time milestones. Each time you play costs 10 rupees.

Flag Race Short Course Guide

Image by Destructoid

Oddly, the short course is the most difficult to complete within the special time limit. You have to make it in under 17 seconds, which is extremely challenging. What you have to remember here is that you still have access to Bind while on horseback.

In the image above are two green circles, those are where you should use Bind to shove the Potted Trees out of your way. Simply hit X to send out your bind, and they’ll move with you. Release them once they’re out of the way, and you should be able to tighten those two curves to get just under 17 seconds. It is possible without using Bind, but you’ll tear your hair out trying to get it.

Flag Race Middle Course Guide

Image by Destructoid

This course is probably the most straightforward. You don’t need any real tricks, and there aren’t any real shortcuts. Just time your Dashes for straight paths. Otherwise, you’ll have difficulty taking the sharp curves. Remember, you don’t need to hit the flags dead on to collect them.

Flag Race Long Course Guide

Image by Destructoid

The Long course may seem daunting at first. Luckily, there are some relatively obvious shortcuts you can take. They’re both on the outside of the Ranch. On the way north and again after you turn west. Follow this path laid out here and you’ll see the objects you can use to skip over unnecessary parts of the track.

Flag Race Course Rewards

Destructoid is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy