The Legend of ZELDA
Tiny Guide

Compilation of Zelda Dungeon guides, rewritten and condensed so that on widescreen it can be placed to the left of an emulator running at full size in the original television aspect ratio. As direct and minimal as possible while maintaining clarity.   [demo]

For Link's original quest released on NES in 1986...

Play with your browser's zoom controls (usually ctrl/cmd and +/-) until this column fills 1/4 of your screen. That's what's left over when you embed a 4:3 emulation in a 16:9 screen.

The Gathering
Find secrets with bombs and candles

Sword Bombs ◇20

Hearts Rupees

Letter Candle ◇60 White Sword

Heart Magical Shield ◇90

Arrows ◇80 Medicine ◇68

Blue Ring ◇250, 2x armor versus green.

⤒ index

Path to the Eagle
Getting to Labyrinth 1

The Eagle
Labyrinth 1

Bow Boomerang

Opt: Exit dungeon and re-enter to glitch-unlock door.
Go ←

3 Keese. Key.
Go → →

5 Stalfos. Key.
Go ← ↑

3 Stalfos.
Go ↑

5 Stalfos. Key.
Bomb ↑. Go →

8 Keese. Compass.
Go ← ↑

Light. 5 Gel. Map.
Go ↑

3 Stalfos. Key.
Go ↑

3 Goriya. Key.
Go ←

Blade Traps.
Push stone.
Go ⤓

4 Keese. Bow.
Go ⤒ → ↓ ↓ →

3 Goriya. Boomerang.
Go →

Wallmasters.
Key.
Go ↑

Aquamentus: attack head. Heart.
Go →

Triforce.

⤒ index

Path to the Moon
Getting to Labyrinth 2

The Moon
Labyrinth 2

Magical Boomerang

Go ↑

5 Rope.
Go ←

6 Rope. Key.
Go → ↓ →

5 Rope. Key.
Go ↑

3 Rope.
Go →

6 Gel. Compass.
Bomb ↑. Go ↑

5 Gel. Map.
Bomb ↑. Go ↑

3 blue Goriya. Magic Boomerang.
Bomb ↑. Go ↑

4 Keese, spikes.
Bomb ↑. Go ↑

4 Gel.
Go ←

8 Rope.
Go ↑

5 Goriya.
Go ↑

Feed bombs to Dodongo. Heart. Go ←

Triforce.

⤒ index

Path to the Manji
Getting to Labyrinth 3

The Manji
Labyrinth 3

Raft

Go ←

6 Zol. Key.
Go ↑

5 Zol. Key.
Go ↑

3 Darknut.
Go ←

4 Keese. Compass.
Go ←

5 Darknut.
Go ↓

8 Darknut.
Go ⤓

8 Keese. Raft.
Go ⤒ ↑ → → ↑

3 Zol. Key.
Go →

2 Zol. Map.
Bomb →. Go →

Manhandla. Avoid fire, attack heads, bombs are good. Heart. Go ↑

Triforce.

⤒ index

Path to the Snake
Getting to Labyrinth 4

Heart

The Snake
Labyrinth 4

Stepladder

Go ←

8 Keese. Key.
Go → ↑

3 Vire.
Go →

Use candle to light room. 5 Vire. Compass.
Go ← ↑

8 Keese. Key.
Go ←

Light. 5 Vire.
Go ↑

Light. 5 Zol. Key.
Go ↑

Light. 3 Vire. 2 Bubble.
Go →

5 Vire.
Go →

2 Like-Like, 2 Zol, 2 Bubble. Like-Likes eat magic shields. Push left block. Go ⤓

4 Keese. Stepladder can cross water. Go ⤒ ← ← ↑

5 Vire.
Go →

5 Gel. Map.
Bomb ↑. Go ↑ →

5 Vire. Push left block.
Go →

Gleeok. Avoid fire, attack attached heads. Heart.
Go ↑

Triforce.

⤒ index

Path to the Lizard
Final Gathering

Heart Power Bracelet Magical Sword

Take the right path. ⤓ ← ← ↑

The Lizard
Labyrinth 5

Whistle

Go →

5 Pols, immune to all but sword or arrow, weak to arrow. Key. Go ← ↑

Light. 3 Gibdo, weak to fire. Key.
Bomb ← Go ↑

3 Dodongo. Bombs.
Go ↑

Map
Go ↓ ←

5 Zol. Key.
Go ↓

5 Gibdo. Bombs.
Bomb ← Go ←

5 Darknut. Push left block.
Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

Go ←

6 Darknut. Push block.
Go ⤓

4 Keese. Whistle.
Go ⤒ → ↓

6 Keese. Key.
Bomb → Go →

Increase bombs to 12 for ◇100. Backtrack to Dodongo room: ← ↑ ⤓ → → ↑ Go →

Light. 5 Zols. Rupees.
Go ↑

5 Gibdo. Key.
Go ↑

Light. 3 Darknut. Compass.
Go ↑

Light. 2 Gibdo 2 Pols 2 Keese. Key. Go ←

5 Gibdo.
Go ←

5 Pols, weak to arrow.
Go ←

Digdogger, use whistle.
Go ↑

Triforce.

⤒ index

Path to the Dragon
Getting to Labyrinth 6

7.1 From Labyrinth 5, go ↓ 7← ↓ ← ↓ ← ↑.
From the starting point, go 3→, push the left rock,
go ⤓, middle ⤓, then go ↓ ← ↑.

The Dragon
Labyrinth 6

Magical Wand

Go →

Light. 5 Wizzrobe. Key.
Go ← ←

4 Wizzrobe.
Go ↑

5 Zol. Compass.
Go ↑

8 Keese. Key.
Go ↑

Go ↑

4 Wizzrobe, 2 Like-Like,
1 Bubble. Like-Likes eat shields. Go ↑

5 Wizzrobe.
Go ↑

Gleeok.
Go →

2 Like-Like, 2 Zol, 2 Bubble. Map.
Go ↑

5 Wizzrobe. Push left block.
Go ⤓

Magical Wand.
Go ⤒ ↓ ↓

Light. 5 Wizzrobe. Key.
Go ↓

Light. 5 Vire, weak to Magical Sword. Go →

4 Wizzrobe, 3 Like-Like, 1 Bubble. Push block.
Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

2 Zol, 2 Like-Like, 2 Bubble.
Go ↓

Light. 3 Vire, 2 Bubble. Key. Go ←

4 Wizzrobe.
Go ↑

Gohma, shoot eye with arrows. Heart.
Go ←↑→↓←⤓⤒

Triforce.

⤒ index

Path to the Demon
Getting to Labyrinth 7

Bait is required.
From Labyrinth 6 to the starting point,
go ↓ → ↑ middle ⤓ ← ←.
From the start to the shop, go ↑ 3← 3↑. Buy bait ◇60.
From the shop to the lake, go 2↓ 2← ↑.
Blow the whistle at the lake to reveal Labyrinth 7.

The Demon
Labyrinth 7

Red Candle

Go →

2 Moldorms. Bombs.
Go ↑

Light. 8 Keese.
Go →

6 Goriya.
Go →

Digdogger, whistle. Bombs.
Go →

8 Stalfos. Key.
Go 4←

8 Goriya. Bombs.
Bomb ← Go ←

4 Keese. Bombs.
Go ↓

5 Rope. Key.
Go 2↑

3 Dodongo, avoidable. Rupees.
Go ↑

Increase bombs to 16 for ◇100.
Go ↓ →

6 Goriya.
Go →

Light. 8 Stalfos. Compass.
Go ← ↑

3 Goriya, 3 Keese, 2 Bubble.
Go ↑

Digdogger, avoidable.
Go ←

6 Goriya. Rupees.
Go ↑

Leave bait for hungry Goriya.
Go ↑

Light. 3 Keese, 3 Goriya, 2 Bubble. Map. Bomb ↑ Go ↑

Rupees.
Bomb → Go →

6 Goriya. Rupees.
Go →

5 Goriya.
Go ← ↓

6 Goriya.
Bomb → Go →

6 Goriya. Push left block.
Go ⤓

4 Keese. Red candle.
Go ⤒ Bomb → Go →

6 Goriya. Bombs. Room ↑ has more bombs. Go →

Digdogger, try placing bomb right before whistle. Go ↑

3 Dodongo. Bombs.
Bomb → Go →

5 Wallmaster, 3 Bubble. Push mid-right block left. Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

6 Goriya.
Bomb → Go →

Aquamentus. Heart.
Go →

Triforce.

⤒ index

Path to the Lion
Getting to Labyrinth 8

From Labyrinth 7 to the start, go ↓ → ↓ 4→ ↓.
From the start to Labyrinth 8, go 4→ 2↑ → ↓ →.
Burn the bush that blocks the path.

The Lion
Labyrinth 8

Magic Book Magical Key

Go ←

Manhandla, try bombs. Rupees.
Go ←

4 Darknut, 3 Gibdo, 1 Bubble. Push left block. Go ⤓

4 Keese. Magic Book. Wand now shoots fire. Go ⤒ → → ↑

Manhandla. Rupees.
Bomb ↑ Go ↑

5 Darknut, Statues. Key.
Go ←

Light. 2 Pols, 2 Gibdo, 2 Keese. Key. Go ←

3 Darknut, Statues. Key.
Go 3→

8 Pols. Compass.
Go ← ↑

4 Darknut, 3 Gibdo, 2 Bubble, avoidable. Go ↑

6 Darknut, Statues.
Bomb ↑ Go ↑

Manhandla. Map.
Go ↑

Gohma, use arrows.
Go →

4 Darknut, 2 Pols. Push left block. Go ⤓

4 Keese. Magical Key.
Go ⤒ ← ↓ ↓ →

3 Darknut, 3 Gibdo, 2 Bubble. Bombs. Go ⤓

8 Pols. Key, no longer needed. Bomb ↑ Go ↑

Gleeok with 4 heads. Heart.
Go ↑

Triforce.

⤒ index

The Entrance to Death
Getting to Labyrinth 9

From Labyrinth 8 to Labyrinth 9, go ↑ 5← 3↑ ← 2↑ 2←.
From the start to Labyrinth 9, go → 5↑ ← 2↑ 2←.
Go ← once more to buy medicine.

Death Mountain
Labyrinth 9

Red Ring Silver Arrow

Go ↑

Go ←

Light. 4 Wizzrobe, 3 Bubble. Bomb ↑ Go ↑

Lanmola, strike head. Push left block. Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

5 Like-Like.
Go →

3 Wizzrobe.
Bomb ↓ Go ↓

2 Like-Like, 2 Zol, 2 Bubble. Bombs. Bomb ↓ Go ↓

5 Wizzrobe. Compass.
Back ↑ ↑ Go →

Patra, defeat smaller ones first. Go ↓

8 Gel. Rupees.
Bomb → Go →

Patra. Map.
Bomb ↑ Go ↑

3 Like-Like, 4 Wizzrobe, 1 Bubble, avoidable.
Bomb ↑ Go ↑

4 Wizzrobe, 3 Bubble. Push left block. Go ⤓

4 Keese. Red Ring. 4x armor versus green.
Back ⤒ ↓ ↓ ← ↑ Go ↑

Old Man.
Bomb ← Go ←

5 Wizzrobe. Push left block.
Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

5 Zol.
Go ←

8 Keese. Rupees.
Go ←

Patra. Push left block.
Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

5 Wizzrobe.
Bomb ↑ Go ↑

5 Wizzrobe. 3 Bubble. Push mid-right block. Go ⤓

4 Keese. Silver Arrow.
Back ⤒ ↓ ⤓ ⤒ Go ↑

6 Like-Like.
Go ↑

Light. 4 Like-Like, Spikes, avoidable. Go ↑

4 Wizzrobe, 3 Like-Like, Bubble. Bomb ← Go ←

4 Wizzrobe. Push left block. Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

4 Wizzrobe, avoidable.
Bomb ← Go ←

2 Like-Like, 2 Zol, 2 Bubble. Push left block. Go ⤓

4 Keese.
Go ⤒

Patra.
Go ↑ to face the Dark Beast

⤒ index

Dark Lord Ganon
Hatred and Malice Incarnate

Triforce of Power

Link will hold up the Triforce of Wisdom and the battle begins.

He disappears and shoots fire. Find the pattern, strike him.

Eventually, he weakens. Finish him with the silver arrow.

Retrieve the Triforce of Power. Go ↑

Slash away the fire. Approach Princess Zelda.

⤒ index

Thus ends the story
You're a Hero!

Thanks to Nintendo for this amazing classic, and thanks again to Zelda Dungeon for the original resources I've collected here. In contrast to the minimalism here, check out that site for a treasure trove of additional information covering all Zelda games.

 

Emulation Resources
Conjure Magic at Home

 

  Automap Plus

There are ROM hacks here which can add new graphics, levels, or features. This impressive entry is Automap Plus by snarfblam, which adds a map to the overworld that is revealed as the player explores.

Original, unmodified, plain gray map:

Automap, fully explored:

Additional changes: the heart meter is drawn in 1/8 heart increments, and potions and fairies refill life faster.

The hack is presented as a collection of patch files without the ROM itself, and you must have exactly the right version of the ROM with exactly the right checksum in order to apply the patch. Finding the right one was extremely difficult and time consuming, but I want to save you the effort, so long as you own a legitimate copy of the retail game.

  Download patched ROM, https://ttm.sh/hbt.nes

Rename it to something like
"The Legend of Zelda (map).nes".

 

  Legend of Zelda DX

This ROM hack, The Legend of Zelda DX from pacnsacdave, updates graphics in the style of Link's Awakening DX which was released for Gameboy Color in 1998, while including snarfblam's automap too. I resisted this one as a NES nostalgia purist, but once I tried it I loved it.

Original:

DX graphics:

The automap isn't visible here because it's a fresh game which hasn't been explored yet.

  Download patched ROM, https://ttm.sh/hWV.nes

Rename it to something like
"The Legend of Zelda (DX).nes".

 

  Multi-System Emulators

 

 

 
May the triforce be with you.

⤒ back to index