At the end of a fierce fight, Link overthrew Ganon, took back the Triforce, and rescued Princess Zelda. But is it all really finished?
Many seasons have passed since then…
Hyrule was on the road to ruin. The power that the vile Ganon left behind was causing chaos and disorder in Hyrule. What’s more, even after the fall of Ganon, some of his underlings remained, waiting for Ganon’s return. The key to Ganon’s return was the blood of Link—the valiant lad who overthrew the King of Evil. Ganon would be revived if Link’s blood was mixed with Ganon’s ashes.
Meanwhile, Link remained in the little kingdom of Hyrule and lent his hand to its restoration. But circumstances did not look very good.
One day, a strange mark, exactly like the crest of the kingdom, appeared on the back of Link’s hand as he approached his sixteenth birthday. The worried Link went to Impa, Princess Zelda’s nursemaid, who was shocked and frightened when she saw the mark. When she regained her composure, she took Link to the North Castle.
There was a door in the North Castle called “the door that does not open.” Only the descendants of the Impa family who served the king knew how to open the door. Impa took Link’s left hand and pressed the back of it against the door. There was a sound of a lock falling open. The door slowly creaked open, and there, on an altar in the middle of the room, lay a beautiful woman.
“Here lies Princess Zelda,” Impa began to speak calmly. “Link, the time has come when I must tell you the legend of Zelda handed down in Hyrule. It is said that long ago, when Hyrule was one country, a great ruler maintained peace in Hyrule using the Triforce. However, the king too was a child of man and he died. The prince of the kingdom should have become king and inherited everything, but he could not inherit but a part of the Triforce.
“The prince searched everywhere for the missing parts, but could not find them.
“Then, a magician close to the king brought him some unexpected news. Before he died, the king had said something about the Triforce to only the younger sister of the prince, Princess Zelda. The prince immediately questioned the princess, but she wouldn’t tell him anything. After the prince questioned the princess, the magician threatened to put the princess into an eternal sleep if she did not talk, but still, she said nothing.”
Hyrule Has Changed
Unlike The Legend of Zelda, this game consists of two viewpoints. In the Overhead View, Link can hike along the roads or venture into the wilderness. If he meets an enemy off the road, he is thrown suddenly into the Side View action screen, where he must do battle. The interiors of many palaces and towns Link encounters during his travels also utilize Side View. Other changes include the many people who talk to Link and help him with clues. He also has the ability to use magic.
Study Well the Map of Hyrule
Do not be deceived! The distances of Hyrule are greater than they at first appear. Long is the road Link will travel, and fraught with many dangers. Yet he will find help in the most unexpected of places.
Setting out from North Castle where lies the sleeping princess, Link explores the roads open to him, putting them to memory and learning secret ways through hill and desert and treacherous swampland.
Action Scene
Off the beaten path, Link encounters enemy creatures and servants of Ganon. The scene switches to Side View and scrolls either left or right as Link fights toward freedom from the center. Each action scene consists of three screens where Link must prove himself to be the Champion of Hyrule.
Items
As Link searches out clues and battles the minions of Ganon, he must uncover powerful items in secret places. He finds many more tools than just these, but none quite so important as the ones listed here.
Magic Jar
The potion within restores Link’s magic. Red potions fill the meter all the way while blue potions refill a single measure.
Handy Glove
Where a fall of stones blocks the way, the Glove proves to be Link’s salvation.
Hammer
Many roads in the Overworld screen are blocked by boulders. Only the Hammer can shatter them.
Raft
Divided by a great sea, the vastness of Hyrule can be explored fully only if Link wins the Raft.
Heart Container
Adds one measure to the staunchness of Link’s heart and restores his life to its fullest.
Boots
The way ahead lies sometimes across the seas in places where no man may venture, save he who has the Boots.
Magic Container
An increase in one measure of magic will Link gain from this vessel, and his magic meter fills up!
Flute
Long has it been told that the music of this ancient Flute has powers both myserious and strong.
Candle
A flame to brighten the dark caves through which Link must pass. Once lit, it cannot be extinguished by any foe or force.
Treasure Bag
A wealth of points (worth 50, 100, or 200 points) awaits Link if he is quick, brave, and lucky.
Doll
A small doll that looks like Link. Acquiring one will grant Link an extra life.
Cross
With its secret power, Link will be able to spot enemies normally hidden to him.
Magical Key
A magical key that can open any locked door inside a palace.
Magic
During his travels, Link learned eight spells of Hyrulian magic, which helped him overcome Ganon’s evil. Will you find them as well?
Shield
Strengthens Link’s defenses. Within one screen, an enemy’s blow falls with only half the force.
Jump
Once earned, the magic of the High Jump allows Link passage over walls and other barriers along his way.
Fire
This magic will allow Link to shoot fireballs from the tip of his blade, giving him an added edge in battle.
Spell
Casting this spell on particular enemies can cause odd things to happen to them. Use it to uncover hidden secrets as well.
Life
Dark moments come when Link is nearly spent. Using Life regains him three measures of vitality.
Fairy
In narrow places, impassable even to Link, he may choose the magical transformation into a flying pixie.
Reflect
With this powerful magic, Link can block projectiles he normally cannot and reflect magic back at sorcerers.
Thunder
When all seems lost, the magic of Thunder brings hope, for its power affects all enemies present.
The Servants of Ganon Have Invaded!
As Link searched the six palaces of Hyrule, many servants of Ganon did he encounter. These are but a few of the creatures bent on Ganon’s return.
Bot
This jumping jelly drop is found everywhere.
Lowder
A crawling beetle that gobbles up life energy.
Geldarm
A centipede that stands upright; only its head is vulnerable.
Goriya
A boomerang master, the Goriya lurks in caves. Link must use his Shield to deflect this creature’s attacks.
Megmat
Tough-skinned, the Megmat is a dangerous pest.
Ache
They swoop down from the shadows of deep caverns.
Acheman
A batlike monster that breathes fire and changes shape.
Deeler
Like a giant spider, the Deeler drops on a thread from trees.
Bago-Bago
Vicious flying fish that spits rocks at Link as he crosses bridges.
Moa
A graveyard ghost.
Daira
Against the Daira’s axe, Link’s Shield is useless.
Octorok
This land-octopus leaps and then spits rocks to defend itself.
Boon
This giant fly persistently drops stones.
Myu
Small, thorny, and hard, the Myu is weak on top.
The Palace Guardians
In the depths of each of the six palaces of Hyrule, a mighty guardian challenges Link. Long ago, the king who broke the Triforce and hid the fragment of Courage set these guardians to the task of protecting six mystical statues that are the key to regaining peace in the land.
Barba
This monstrous being will be Link’s final challenge before he can proceed to the Grand Palace. Can he prove his skill as a hero?
Jermafenser
A knight armored in shining blue steel, his haunted helms make him more dangerous with every one that falls off. How can Link hope to defeat an enemy such as this?
Carock
A dastardly wizard who fires off spells with deadly accuracy and speed. What will Link do to stop his wicked magic?
Mazura
This strange beast has upheld its duty of guarding the statue of Parapa Palace since times long past. Will Link be able to contend with his fighting prowess?
Gooma
This giant troll, as mighty as he is fierce, will make quick work of Link with his spiked ball and chain. Link must find a way to dodge his swings and fight back.
Rebonack
A proud knight atop his abnormal steed lies in wait, lance and wits at the ready. Can Link best him in this battle of skill?