Quick Links
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningoriginally came out in the ’90s for the Game Boy, but it was later remade for the Nintendo Switch, sporting an adorable chibi art style that makes everything look toy-like. And since the originalLink’s Awakeningis now available on Switchas part of Nintendo Switch Online, more players will surely jump into Link’s Koholint adventure for the first time.
While thisLink’s Awakeningwalkthrough will cover the remake version for the Nintendo Switch, folks can still use this for getting through the original game –not much has changed! This section of our walkthrough will take players through the opening act, showing gamers how to get a shield, a sword, and more.
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Getting the Shield and Sword
Link will awaken in a home with Marin and Tarin.Speak to Tarinbefore heading out to get a Shield. Players can use it to block enemy attacks by holding R or ZR.
Headwest out of Mabe Villageand then head south to get toToronbo Shores.
Avoid the enemies for now, and then use your shield to push the spiky enemies out of the way. Head to the shore to find a sword stuck in the sand. An owl will appear, telling players to head north toward the Mysterious Forest.
Now, players can press B to swing the sword to attack enemies. You can also hold the B button to perform a powerful spinning sword move.
Mysterious Forest
Head back out the way players came in and then go northpast Mabe Village to get to the Mysterious Forest. Follow the path to run into a mischievous raccoon. Once the raccoon leaves, head up to find a fairy, and then head left and then down. To defeat the enemies with shields, make sure to block their sword attack first and then go in for the attack.
Head inside the log to reach a cave. Defeat the bats and the purple crystals, and then push the block in front of the chest to find 50 Rupees.
Continue in to find a room with a piece of heart (this can’t be obtained until players get a bracelet later on that allows them to lift heavier objects). Exit the dungeon and pick up the Toadstool on the floor. For now, head back through the dungeon.
With the Toadstool in hand, we must take it to a witch. Head out of the forest by heading north and then east. Players should reach Koholint Prairie.
From this screen, head south past the electric green slime monster and then head right to find the Witch’s house. Give her the toadstool, and she will give players Magic Powder.
To equip the powder, press + to open the menu, and then set the powder to the X or Y button.
Head back into the woods and find the raccoon in the clearing on the west side. His location will be on the map below. Use the Magic Powder on the raccoon, and he will spin around violently.
It turns out that the raccoon was Tarin all along. Walk north to find a chest containing the key toLink’s Awakening’s first dungeon, the Tail Cave.
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Using the Tail Key
Leave the forest and head south toward the shore, where players found the sword. However, instead of going down all the way to the beach, head east to find Tail Cave.
Put the key into the statue to open the gates. For those confused about where the dungeon is, check out the map below to see its exact location.
Tail Cave Walkthrough - Level 1
After entering the dungeon, head into the room on the left. Defeat the shelled enemies by pushing them into the abyss –players will get a key for doing so.
Head left again to find a room with a chest containing aCompass, which will show the location of chests on the map. It’ll also make a unique noise if a key is nearby.
Return to the entrance, and then head north and defeat the monsters to get a key.
Head to the room on the right and defeat all enemies to get achest with a Mapinside.
Head north and walk a little to the left to find a chest with another key inside.
Head to the right again and unlock the door. In the following room, defeat the skeleton and go up one screen. There will be three enemies with symbols on them. Attack them at the right time to make them all match. It doesn’t matter which symbol you choose – as long as they match, players will be rewarded with a chest that has aStone Beak.
Players can use the beak on the owl statue to get a hint. Head down and left to get back to the room with the moving electric balls (players can kill the worm enemies in the room tounlock a chest with Rupees).
Head north to find a locked door. Use a key to get inside. Walk to the right and then left (avoiding the electric balls). The door will appear locked, but if players slide the block in front of the owl statue to the right, the door will open.
In the next room, beat the spined monsters by using your shield and then attacking with the sword. Once they’re defeated, head downstairs.
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Roc’s Feather
This next part will have players going through a 2D,Mario-inspired section.Beat the Goomba’sand then climb the ladder on the far-left side. Head north in the next room to find a chestcontaining the Roc’s Feather.
By equipping this, players will now be able to perform a small jump with Link. Head back underground, but make sure to jump to get the hearts in the hallway first.
Leave the room with the spiny enemies, jump over the gap to the south in the next room, and head out back to the large central room. Head to the east side of it to find a locked cube.
Jump over the gap with Roc’s Feather and unlock the cube with a key. Walk up the platform to find a chest with theNightmare Key, which willunlock the boss room in Tail Cave.
Getting to Tail Cave Boss
Head into the room on the right and jump over the gap to enter the room to the east. There will be a large pink-purplish monster to defeat –jump over the spiked log and slash at the enemy. A blue portal will appear once the monster is gone. This will take players back to the main entrance if they need to leave the dungeon for any reason.
For those that don’t need to leave, just enter the room to the north to find the boss room. Go down the staircase for some extra health before the big fight.
How to Beat Moldorn
Moldorn isdefinitely the easiest boss inThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. Just wait for its tail to turn red, and then hit it with your sword. It’ll be defeated once it gets hit four times. Just make sure to avoid it when it starts moving around faster. Once he’s gone, players can pick up aHeart Container, which will increase players' hearts. Head to the northern room to find the Full Moon Cello, the first instrument Link needs to wake the Wind Fish.
Part 2 of our Link’s Awakening walkthrough is coming soon!
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningis currently available for the Nintendo Switch. The original game is playable on Game Boy/Game Boy Color, Wii U, and the Game Boy application for Switch Online users.
