My Zelda Link's Awakening Walkthrough for 100% Completion

Koholint Island is a place where logic often takes a backseat to dream-like progression. Navigating through the remake of this classic adventure requires a blend of sharp puzzle-solving and a keen eye for exploration. This guide covers the critical path from the moment Link wakes up in Marin’s house to the final confrontation within the Wind Fish's Egg.

The First Steps: Sword, Shield, and the Mysterious Forest

Upon waking up in Mabe Village, the first priority is securing equipment. Talking to Tarin yields the Shield. From there, the path leads south to Toronbo Shores. Following the coastline to the east reveals a sword guarded by sea urchins; these are pushed aside by holding the shield button. After the Owl provides the first set of cryptic instructions, the journey moves north into the Mysterious Forest.

Finding the Tail Key is the primary objective here. Inside the forest, a raccoon blocks the northern path. To bypass it, players need to find a Toadstool in the western part of the forest, take it to the Witch’s Hut located to the east (accessible by navigating through a hollow log), and receive Magic Powder. Sprinkling this powder on the raccoon reveals it to be Tarin, clearing the way to a chest containing the Tail Key.

Level 1: Tail Cave

The Tail Cave serves as the introductory dungeon. The main item found here is the Roc’s Feather, which allows Link to jump—a mechanic essential for the rest of the game. Key puzzles involve pushing blocks to open doors and defeating all enemies in a room to spawn keys. The boss, Moldorm, is defeated by striking its glowing tail while avoiding being knocked into the surrounding pits. Falling off the edge resets the fight, so maintaining a central position is a reliable tactic.

Rescuing BowWow and the Bottle Grotto

After completing the Tail Cave, returning to Mabe Village reveals that Moblins have kidnapped Madam MeowMeow’s pet, BowWow. The rescue mission takes Link to a cave in Tal Tal Heights. The Moblin King inside requires a reactive strategy: wait for him to charge into a wall, then strike while he is stunned.

With BowWow in tow, Link can enter Goponga Swamp. BowWow eats the Goponga Flowers that otherwise block the entrance to the second dungeon.

Level 2: Bottle Grotto

The Bottle Grotto introduces the Power Bracelet, allowing Link to lift pots and rocks. A recurring point of confusion in this dungeon is a room with three different enemies: a Pols Voice (rabbit), a Stalfos (skeleton), and a Keese (bat). To obtain the Nightmare Key, these enemies must be defeated in a specific order: first the Pols Voice (by throwing a pot at it), then the Keese, and finally the Stalfos. The boss, Genie, resides in a jar. Striking the jar, then lifting and throwing it against the wall when it retreats, eventually forces the Genie out for a direct sword confrontation.

The Trading Sequence and Key Cavern

Before heading to the third dungeon, starting the Trading Sequence is highly recommended as it eventually leads to the Boomerang, arguably the best weapon in the game. It starts with the Yoshi Doll from the Trendy Game in Mabe Village, which is traded for a Ribbon, then Dog Food, then Bananas.

To reach the Key Cavern, Link must visit Richard in his villa. Richard demands five Golden Leaves from Kanalet Castle in exchange for the Slime Key. This requires trading the Bananas to a monkey near the castle to build a bridge. Once the leaves are collected and the Slime Key is unearthed in the pothole field behind Richard’s house, the Key Cavern becomes accessible.

Level 3: Key Cavern

This dungeon is non-linear and relies heavily on managing a large number of small keys. The Pegasus Boots are the treasure here, enabling Link to dash. This item is used to break crystal barriers and perform long jumps. The boss, Slime Eye, is a giant jelly that must be split in two by dashing into it with the Pegasus Boots when it is stretched thin by its own weight, then striking each eye individually.

Reaching the Yarna Desert and Angler’s Tunnel

The path to the fourth dungeon requires waking a sleeping walrus blocking the way to Yarna Desert. This is done by bringing Marin to the walrus after she has learned the Ballad of the Wind Fish. In the desert, defeating the Lanmola yields the Angler Key. This key is used at the waterfall in Tal Tal Heights to reveal the entrance to Angler’s Tunnel.

Level 4: Angler’s Tunnel

Water management and pit-jumping are the themes here. Link obtains the Flippers, which allow swimming and diving in deep water. The dungeon layout involves several 2D side-scrolling sections. The boss, Angler Fish, is fought entirely underwater. Focusing attacks on the glowing lure on its head is the most effective way to end the fight quickly.

The Ghostly Interruption and Catfish’s Maw

After exiting Angler’s Tunnel, a pink ghost begins to follow Link. The ghost must be taken to its former home (a house near the bay) and then to its grave in the cemetery. Only after laying the ghost to rest can Link progress to the fifth dungeon, Catfish’s Maw, located in the middle of Martha’s Bay.

Level 5: Catfish’s Maw

This dungeon features the Hookshot, a versatile tool for crossing gaps and pulling items. A major obstacle here is the Master Stalfos, a mini-boss encountered four times. In each encounter, Link must bomb the Stalfos’s bones after it collapses. The final boss, Slime Eel, requires Link to use the Hookshot to pull the eel's head out of the wall holes to expose its weak point.

The Ancient Ruins and Face Shrine

To access the sixth dungeon, Link must explore the Ancient Ruins to find the Face Key. This involves fighting Armos statues. Inside the ruins, a mural reveals the dark truth about the nature of Koholint Island—it is all a dream of the Wind Fish.

Level 6: Face Shrine

The Face Shrine is a complex maze of crystal switches and moving tiles. The Powerful Bracelet (Level 2 Power Bracelet) is found here, allowing Link to lift even heavier objects like elephant statues. The boss, Facade, is a face on the floor that creates holes and throws tiles. Dropping bombs on the boss's face while avoiding the flying objects is the standard method of victory.

Climbing the Mountain: Eagle’s Tower

The seventh dungeon is located at the peak of the Cordillera Mountains. Reaching it involves navigating through several caves and using the Hookshot to cross broken bridges.

Level 7: Eagle’s Tower

This is widely considered the most difficult dungeon in the game. The central puzzle involves carrying a heavy metal orb to four different pillars on the second floor and throwing the orb at them to destroy them. This causes the fourth floor to collapse onto the third, changing the dungeon's layout. The Mirror Shield is found here, which can reflect beams and fire. The boss, Evil Eagle, is fought on the roof. Using the Hookshot or the bow while the eagle swoops allows Link to stay safe while dealing damage.

The Final Descent: Turtle Rock

The eighth and final instrument is held within Turtle Rock, located in the western Tal Tal Mountain Range. To enter, Link must play the Frog’s Song of Soul (learned from Mamu) to revive the turtle head entrance.

Level 8: Turtle Rock

Lava is the primary hazard here. Link must use a magic rod-creating machine to build paths over the magma. The dungeon is massive and contains numerous mini-bosses from previous levels. The Magic Rod is the main treasure, allowing Link to shoot fire. The boss, Hot Head, is a flaming rock that jumps out of the lava. Splashing it with the Magic Rod cools it down and makes it vulnerable to sword strikes.

The Secret Color Dungeon

For those looking for an advantage, the optional Color Dungeon can be accessed after obtaining the Power Bracelet. By visiting the Library in Mabe Village and reading the book "The Hidden Power of Color" (which requires dashing into the shelf), Link finds a sequence for the gravestones in the cemetery: 3 up, 4 right, 5 up, 2 left, 1 down. Pushing the stones in this order reveals the entrance.

Completing this dungeon allows Link to choose between the Red Mail (doubles attack power) or the Blue Mail (doubles defense). This choice can be changed later by returning to the dungeon queen.

The Full Trading Sequence Path

For a 100% run, the trading sequence is mandatory. Here is the complete list of trades:

Yoshi Doll: Won from the Trendy Game in Mabe Village.
Ribbon: Given by Papahl’s wife in the northern house of Mabe Village in exchange for the Yoshi Doll.
Dog Food: Given by CiaoCiao (in the small house next to Madam MeowMeow's) in exchange for the Ribbon.
Bananas: Given by Sale (the crocodile in the beach house) in exchange for the Dog Food.
Stick: Given by Kiki the Monkey (near Kanalet Castle) after giving him the Bananas.
Honeycomb: Given by Tarin (in the Ukuku Prairie) after giving him the Stick.
Pineapple: Given by the Chef Bear (in Animal Village) in exchange for the Honeycomb.
Hibiscus: Given by Papahl (lost in the mountains) in exchange for the Pineapple.
Letter: Given by Goat (in Animal Village) in exchange for the Hibiscus.
Broom: Given by Mr. Write (northern border of the Mysterious Forest) in exchange for the Letter.
Fishing Hook: Given by Grandma Yahoo (in Animal Village or Mabe Village) in exchange for the Broom.
Necklace: Given by the Fisherman (under the bridge in Martha's Bay) in exchange for the Hook.
Mermaid's Scale: Given by the Mermaid (in Martha's Bay) in exchange for her Necklace.
Magnifying Lens: Found in the Mermaid Statue (south of Martha's Bay) after placing the Scale.

With the Magnifying Lens, Link can see the secret Goriya in a cave on Toronbo Shores who trades the Boomerang for a primary item (the shovel is a good choice to trade, as it can be bought back later).

The Wind Fish’s Egg and the Final Battle

Once all eight Instruments of the Sirens are collected, Link must go to the giant egg atop Mt. Tamaranch and play the Ballad of the Wind Fish on the Ocarina. This cracks the egg and allows entry into a dark void.

Inside the egg, the path is a maze. The correct directions are found in the Library in Mabe Village by reading the book about the dark world (requires the Magnifying Lens). The directions are randomized for every save file.

Beating the Shadows of Ganon (Dethl)

The final boss, Dethl, takes several forms, many of which mimic past Zelda villains:

Giant Slime: Sprinkle with Magic Powder to make it vulnerable.
Agahnim’s Shadow: Reflect its energy balls back with the sword.
Moldorm Shadow: Strike the tail just like the Level 1 boss.
Ganon’s Shadow: Avoid the fire bats and spinning trident; strike with the Spin Attack.
Lanmola Shadow: Use the Magic Rod or Pegasus Boots dash.
Dethl (Final Form): The giant eye with two swinging arms. Jump over the arms with Roc’s Feather and shoot the eye with the Bow or the Boomerang when it opens.

Essential Collectibles: Secret Seashells and Heart Pieces

To truly complete the game, one should track down the 50 Secret Seashells (in the Switch version). Collecting these provides several rewards at the Seashell Mansion:

15 Shells: Heart Piece.
30 Shells: Seashell Sensor (vibrates when a shell is nearby).
40 Shells: Koholint Sword (Level 2 Sword, shoots beams at full health).
50 Shells: A Chamber Stone for the Dungeon Creator.

Heart Pieces are scattered everywhere, with several tied to the Fishing Pond and the Trendy Game. Others require late-game items like the Hookshot to reach secluded islands or the Flippers to dive under specific tiles of water. A helpful tip is to check under every lone bush and bomb every suspicious-looking wall crack, as these often hide the final pieces needed to maximize Link’s health bar.

Koholint Island is a compact but dense world. While the main quest can be completed in around 10 to 15 hours, finding every secret and perfecting the dungeon layouts can provide significantly more gameplay. Following this walkthrough ensures that no instrument is left behind and the Wind Fish finally awakens.