Beat Link’s Awakening Without Missing Key Items

This guide ensures you collect every key item in The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening on Nintendo Switch, so you never hit a wall late in the game due to a missed item. It walks you through each dungeon and overworld event in order, highlighting the exact moments to grab the eight instruments, the Power Bracelet, the Pegasus Boots, and other essential gear. Follow these steps and you’ll be fully equipped for the final battle.

What You’ll Need

• A copy of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening for Nintendo Switch (any version, including the 2019 remake).
• A save file started (or a willingness to restart if you’ve already missed something).
• Patience for a few backtracking sections—some items are only accessible after you’ve obtained others.

Step-by-Step

1. Start the game and follow the intro. After the shipwreck, head to the beach and enter the first cave. You’ll receive the Sword from the mysterious owl. This is your only weapon for now—don’t skip the small cutscene, as it explains the basics.
2. Complete Tail Cave (first dungeon). From Mabe Village, go east to the Tail Cave entrance. Inside, you’ll find the Tail Key (in a chest in the middle of the dungeon) and the Stone Beak (after the boss). The Stone Beak is a key item—do not leave without it. The boss, Moldorm, drops the Full Moon Cello, the first instrument.
3. Get the Power Bracelet. After Tail Cave, return to Mabe Village and go to the item shop. Buy the Shovel (200 Rupees) if you can, but the critical item here is the Power Bracelet—it’s in a chest behind the shop, accessible after you’ve opened the path with the shovel. If you don’t have enough rupees, collect Rupees from tall grass and enemies. The Power Bracelet lets you lift heavy stones, opening new routes.
4. Head to the Mysterious Forest and get the Pegasus Boots. Use the Power Bracelet to lift the stone blocking the path to the Mysterious Forest. Inside, you’ll find the Pegasus Boots in a chest behind a tree that you can now push. The boots let you dash into obstacles, which is required for the next dungeon.
5. Complete Bottle Grotto (second dungeon). With the Pegasus Boots, dash into the large stone in the Ukuku Prairie to reveal the Bottle Grotto entrance. Inside, you’ll find the Bottle (a key item) in a chest, and the Angler’s Key after defeating the boss, which unlocks the next area. The boss drops the Conch Horn.
6. Get the Hookshot. After Bottle Grotto, head to the animal village (south of the prairie). You’ll need the Hookshot to cross gaps. It’s given by a character in the village after you help them—this is a mandatory step; don’t leave without it.
7. Complete Key Cavern (third dungeon). Use the Hookshot to cross the river east of the village and enter Key Cavern. Inside, you’ll find the Slime Key (in a chest) and the Sea Lily’s Bell after the boss. The boss also drops the Angler’s Key (the second one).
8. Get the Flippers. After Key Cavern, go to Martha’s Bay (south of the prairie). Use the Hookshot to reach the shore, then talk to the mermaid. She gives you the Flippers, which let you swim. This is essential for reaching the next dungeon.
9. Complete Angler’s Tunnel (fourth dungeon). Swim to the cave in the middle of the bay—this is Angler’s Tunnel. Inside, you’ll find the Face Key (in a chest) and the Sea Lily’s Bell after the boss. The boss drops the Surf Harp.
10. Get the Magnifying Lens. After Angler’s Tunnel, return to Mabe Village and go to the library. Use the Flippers to swim to the island in the middle of the lake, then read the book to get the Magnifying Lens. This lets you see invisible enemies and is required for the next dungeon.
11. Complete Catfish’s Maw (fifth dungeon). Head to the swamp (north of the village). Use the Magnifying Lens to see the invisible path. Inside the dungeon, you’ll find the Slime Key (in a chest) and the Sea Lily’s Bell after the boss. The boss drops the Wind Marimba.
12. Get the Ocarina and the Frog’s Song of Soul. After Catfish’s Maw, go to the Southern Face Shrine. Use the Ocarina (given by the windfish in a dream sequence) to play the Frog’s Song of Soul to the frog in the shrine. He gives you the Frog’s Song of Soul—a key item that revives the Flying Rooster.
13. Complete Face Shrine (sixth dungeon). Use the Frog’s Song to wake the Flying Rooster, then ride it to the Face Shrine dungeon. Inside, you’ll find the Face Key (in a chest) and the Sea Lily’s Bell after the boss. The boss drops the Thunder Drum.
14. Get the Bomb. After Face Shrine, go to the Bomb Shop in Mabe Village. You can now buy the Bomb (or find it in a cave). This is essential for the next dungeon.
15. Complete Eagle’s Tower (seventh dungeon). Use the Bomb to blast open the entrance in the Tal Tal Heights. Inside, you’ll find the Slime Key (in a chest) and the Sea Lily’s Bell after the boss. The boss drops the Sea Lily’s Bell—wait, that’s the instrument name? Actually, the boss drops the Sea Lily’s Bell is the instrument, but you also get the Angler’s Key? No, let me correct: In Eagle’s Tower, you get the Slime Key and the Sea Lily’s Bell is the instrument. The boss drops the Sea Lily’s Bell (the seventh instrument).
16. Get the Mirror Shield. After Eagle’s Tower, go to the Turtle Rock area. Use the Bomb to open the cave, and inside you’ll find the Mirror Shield—a key item that reflects beams and is required for the final dungeon.
17. Complete Turtle Rock (eighth dungeon). Use the Mirror Shield to enter Turtle Rock. Inside, you’ll find the Slime Key (in a chest) and the Sea Lily’s Bell after the boss. The boss drops the Sea Lily’s Bell (the eighth instrument).
18. Get the Golden Leaves and the Windfish’s Egg. After Turtle Rock, go to the Windfish’s Egg in the center of the map. You’ll need to collect the eight instruments (you have them all). The egg opens, and you can enter the final dungeon.
19. Complete the final dungeon (Windfish’s Egg). Use all your items—especially the Mirror Shield and Bombs—to navigate. Defeat the final boss, and you’ll complete the game. Make sure you have the Ocarina to play the song that wakes the Windfish.

Common Mistakes

• Skipping the Power Bracelet: Without it, you can’t lift the stone to the Mysterious Forest, and you’ll be stuck.
• Forgetting the Pegasus Boots: They’re in the Mysterious Forest, but you need the Power Bracelet to get there. Many players miss the dash mechanic and can’t open the Bottle Grotto.
• Missing the Hookshot: It’s not a dungeon item—it’s given in the animal village. If you skip it, you can’t cross gaps to reach Key Cavern.
• Not getting the Flippers: They’re essential for swimming to Angler’s Tunnel and the library island.
• Ignoring the Magnifying Lens: Without it, you can’t see the invisible path in the swamp, and you’ll be unable to reach Catfish’s Maw.
• Leaving the Bomb for later: You need the Bomb to open Eagle’s Tower and Turtle Rock. If you don’t buy it, you’ll be blocked.

Tips

• Collect Rupees early: The Shovel and Bomb cost money. Farm Rupees by cutting grass and defeating enemies in Mabe Village before progressing.
• Use the map: The in-game map shows dungeon entrances and key item locations. Check it often.
• Talk to every NPC: Many key items are given by characters, not found in chests. The Hookshot and Flippers are examples.
• Keep a checklist: Write down the eight instruments and the key items you have. This helps you avoid backtracking.
• Save often: Use the save points in dungeons and the overworld. If you miss something, you can reload.

Troubleshooting

If you find yourself stuck, first check your inventory for these key items: Sword, Shield (you get a shield early), Power Bracelet, Pegasus Boots, Hookshot, Flippers, Magnifying Lens, Bomb, Mirror Shield, and the Ocarina. If you’re missing any, retrace your steps to the location described above. If you have all items but still can’t progress, make sure you’ve completed the previous dungeon’s boss—sometimes you need the instrument to open the next area. If you’re at the final dungeon and can’t enter, double-check you have all eight instruments. If you’re missing one, use the map to locate the dungeon you missed. If you’re stuck in a dungeon, look for cracked walls (use Bombs) or gaps (use Hookshot). If you’re still stuck, consult a dungeon-specific walkthrough—but this guide covers all key items, so you should be fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I beat the game without the Magnifying Lens?

No. The Magnifying Lens is required to see the invisible path to Catfish’s Maw and to see hidden enemies in the final dungeon. Without it, you cannot progress past the swamp.

What happens if I miss the Power Bracelet?

You’ll be unable to lift heavy stones, which blocks access to the Mysterious Forest and the Pegasus Boots. You’ll need to return to Mabe Village and get it from the chest behind the shop.

Is the Shovel a key item?

Not strictly, but it’s needed to dig up the Power Bracelet and some other secrets. It’s highly recommended to buy it early.

Do I need to collect all eight instruments?

Yes. The Windfish’s Egg only opens when you have all eight instruments. Missing one means you can’t enter the final dungeon.

Can I get the Hookshot after the animal village?

Yes, you can return to the animal village at any time after you’ve unlocked it. If you missed it, go back and talk to the character who gives it.

How do I get the Bomb?

You can buy it from the Bomb Shop in Mabe Village after you’ve completed the Face Shrine dungeon. It costs 20 Rupees.

Related

• Spring Boot Automation APIs: Key Design Decisions for Reliability
• How to Fix 502 Bad Gateway on Nginx with WordPress
• Delete OEM Partition? What It Is & When It’s Safe