Link’s Awakening: Items & Equipment

Welcome to the comprehensive item repository for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Original Game Boy / DX Version)! This guide details the tools, equipment, quest items, and musical instruments Link utilizes during his quest to awaken the Wind Fish on Koholint Island.

Swords

	Sword (L−1) Link’s trusty blade, recovered from the surf on Toronbo Shores after washing ashore. Essential for combat and cutting shrubbery.
	Seashell Sword (L−2) A more powerful sword obtained from the Seashell Mansion after collecting 20 Secret Seashells. Can shoot beams when Link is at full health.

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Shields

	Shield (L−1) Given by Tarin early on or purchased from the shop in Mabe Village. Blocks simple projectiles but can be eaten by Like Likes.
	Mirror Shield (L−2) Found within Eagle’s Tower (Level 7). A reflective shield that can block and repel magical beams and lasers, essential for navigating later dungeons.

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Dungeon Navigation Tools

	Dungeon Map Found within each dungeon. Reveals the layout of the dungeon floors explored so far.
	Compass Found within each dungeon. Shows Link’s current location, the location of chests and keys, and the Nightmare’s room on the map.
	Stone Beak / Stone Slab Piece Found within each dungeon. Used at Owl Statues inside the dungeon to receive cryptic hints about puzzles or secrets.
	Small Keys Used to open locked doors within dungeons. Found in chests or dropped by enemies within the same dungeon.
	Nightmare Key A special, large key required to open the door leading to the dungeon’s main Nightmare boss chamber. Usually found deep within the dungeon.

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Key Items / Tools

	Roc’s Feather Found in Tail Cave (Level 1). Allows Link to jump one tile distance, essential for crossing gaps and dodging attacks.
	Power Bracelet (L−1) Found in Bottle Grotto (Level 2). Allows Link to lift pots, skulls, and small rocks.
	Power Bracelet (L−2) Found in Face Shrine (Level 6). An upgrade that allows Link to lift the heaviest objects, like large elephant statues.
	Pegasus Boots Found in Key Cavern (Level 3). Allows Link to perform a high-speed dash by holding the button. Used to ram objects, break specific obstacles, cross large gaps quickly (with Roc’s Feather), and enhance sword attacks.
	Flippers Found in Angler’s Tunnel (Level 4). Allow Link to swim in deep water. Press B to dive underwater to find secrets or enter certain areas.
	Hook Shot Found in Catfish’s Maw (Level 5). A chain and hook mechanism that allows Link to grapple onto distant objects (chests, rocks, wood) and pull himself across gaps or pull items towards him. Also functions as a weapon.
	Magic Rod Found in Turtle Rock (Level 8). Shoots beams of fire that can defeat certain enemies, melt ice, and light torches from a distance.
	Bow & Arrows The Bow is typically found in a dungeon chest (often late game, like Eagle’s Tower) or purchased from the Mabe Village shop after certain events. Uses Arrows as ammunition, purchased or found. Powerful ranged weapon required for specific bosses and puzzles. Arrow capacity upgrades available.
	Bombs Found, purchased, or dropped by enemies. Used to destroy cracked walls, damage enemies, and activate bombable switches. Bomb capacity upgrades available (up to 30 in GB, 60 in DX).
	Shovel Purchased from the Mabe Village shop. Used to dig in specific locations (dirt patches, sand) to uncover Rupees, Hearts, Secret Seashells, or dungeon keys.
	Ocarina Found in the Dream Shrine in Mabe Village after obtaining the Pegasus Boots. Used to play learned songs that have various effects on the world.
	Boomerang Obtained from a Goriya in a hidden cave on Toronbo Shores by trading an equipped item (often the Shovel) as part of the Trading Sequence. A powerful reusable projectile that can defeat most enemies, cut grass, retrieve items, and hit switches. Link can get his traded item back.
	Magic Powder Obtained from the mushroom found in the Mysterious Forest after giving it to the Witch near Koholint Prairie. Used to light torches, stun enemies, transform certain enemies (like Buzz Blobs into Cukemen), and interact with specific puzzles (like waking Tarin the Raccoon). Capacity upgrades available (up to 20 in GB, 40 in DX).

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Ocarina Songs

Learned melodies played on the Ocarina to influence the world.

	Ballad of the Wind Fish Learned from Marin in Mabe Village after rescuing her. Has various effects, including waking sleeping animals (like the Walrus blocking Yarna Desert) and ultimately being required to awaken the Wind Fish.
	Manbo’s Mambo Learned from the large fish Manbo in a hidden cave near Angler’s Tunnel (requires Flippers). Playing it in dungeons warps Link to the entrance; playing it outside warps Link to Manbo’s Pond near Crazy Tracy’s house.
	Frog’s Song of Soul Learned from Mamu the frog chief beneath the graveyard (requires L-1 Power Bracelet and 300 Rupees). Used to bring inanimate objects or the deceased back to life, notably the Flying Rooster in Mabe Village.

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Instruments of the Sirens

Eight sacred musical instruments hidden in Koholint’s dungeons. Collecting all eight is necessary to wake the Wind Fish.

Instruments of the Sirens (8 Total) Guardians of the island’s dream, each held by a Nightmare in one of the main dungeons: Full Moon Cello (Level 1), Conch Horn (Level 2), Sea Lily’s Bell (Level 3), Surf Harp (Level 4), Wind Marimba (Level 5), Coral Triangle (Level 6), Organ of Evening Calm (Level 7), Thunder Drum (Level 8). Their combined melody forms the Ballad of the Wind Fish.

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Quest Items & Collectibles

Items acquired during the storyline or collected for rewards.

	Tail Key Found in a chest in the Mysterious Forest. Used to open Tail Cave (Level 1).
	Slime Key Received from Tarin after navigating the Pothole Maze in Ukuku Prairie. Used to open Key Cavern (Level 3).
	Angler Key Found in a cave guarded by a Lanmola in Yarna Desert. Used to open Angler’s Tunnel (Level 4).
	Face Key Found in the Southern Face Shrine ruins. Used to open Face Shrine (Level 6).
	Bird Key Found deep within the Tal Tal Mountain Range cave network. Used to open Eagle’s Tower (Level 7).
	Secret Medicine Purchased from Crazy Tracy in her house north of Ukuku Prairie. Automatically revives Link with full health once if he falls in battle. Can only carry one.
	Secret Seashells Hidden collectibles found throughout Koholint Island, often by digging, diving, or exploring. There are 26 in total (more in later remakes). Bringing them to the Seashell Mansion yields rewards, most notably the L-2 Sword at 20 shells.
	Golden Leaves (5) Quest items found within Kanalet Castle by defeating specific enemies and solving minor puzzles. Required to give to Richard to gain access to the Pothole Maze.
	Magnifying Lens The final reward of the Trading Sequence. Allows Link to see previously invisible things, such as the Zora in Animal Village and hidden text in the Mabe Village Library (‘Dark Secrets of Koholint Island’).

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Trade Sequence Items

A lengthy quest involving trading items between various characters across Koholint Island, ultimately leading to the Magnifying Lens and enabling access to the Boomerang.

	Yoshi Doll From: Won at the Trendy Game in Mabe Village. Trade To: Mamasha in Mabe Village.
	Ribbon From: Mamasha in Mabe Village. Trade To: CiaoCiao (small Chain Chomp) in Madam MeowMeow’s house, Mabe Village.
	Dog Food From: CiaoCiao (via Madam MeowMeow) in Mabe Village. Trade To: Sale, the crocodile vendor, in his house near Toronbo Shores.
	Bananas From: Sale near Toronbo Shores. Trade To: Kiki the Monkey at Kanalet Castle entrance (builds bridge).
	Stick From: Kiki the Monkey at Kanalet Castle. Trade To: Tarin in Ukuku Prairie (after he gets stung by bees).
	Honeycomb From: Tarin in Ukuku Prairie. Trade To: Chef Bear in Animal Village.
	Pineapple From: Chef Bear in Animal Village. Trade To: Papahl on Tal Tal Mountain Range (lost and hungry).
	Hibiscus From: Papahl on Tal Tal Mountain Range. Trade To: Christine, the goat, in Animal Village.
	Letter From: Christine in Animal Village. Trade To: Mr. Write in his house north of Mysterious Forest.
	Broom From: Mr. Write (implied gift from ‘Princess Peach’). Trade To: Grandma Ulrira in Mabe Village.
	Fishing Hook From: Grandma Ulrira in Mabe Village. Trade To: Fisherman under the bridge in Martha’s Bay.
	Necklace From: Fisherman in Martha’s Bay (fished up). Trade To: Mermaid in Martha’s Bay.
	Scale From: Mermaid in Martha’s Bay. Trade To: Placed on the Mermaid Statue south of Martha’s Bay (reveals path to Magnifying Lens).
	Magnifying Lens From: Revealed by placing the Scale on the Mermaid Statue. Allows reading secret book and seeing invisible NPC. Enables trading for the Boomerang.

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Consumables & Collectibles

	Rupees Currency used for shops, mini-games. Found everywhere. Wallet capacity upgrades available (max 999 Rupees).
	Hearts Red hearts that replenish Link’s health meter. Dropped by enemies, found under bushes/pots.
	Heart Pieces Collect four pieces to form a new Heart Container, permanently increasing Link’s max health (max 14 hearts in GB, 20 in DX with Color Dungeon). Found hidden throughout Koholint Island.
	Heart Containers Full heart containers awarded after defeating each Nightmare boss. Increases max health by one full heart.
	Arrows Ammunition for the Bow. Found in chests, purchased from shops, or dropped by enemies. Capacity upgrades available (up to 30 in GB, 60 in DX).
	Guardian Acorn / Piece of Power Temporary items dropped randomly by enemies. Acorns increase defense (less damage taken), Pieces of Power increase attack power (flashing sword, stronger hits). Effects wear off after a short time or taking too much damage.

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DX Version Exclusive Items

Items found only in the Game Boy Color ‘DX’ version of Link’s Awakening.

	Red Tunic Obtained as a reward for completing the optional Color Dungeon. Permanently increases Link’s sword attack power when worn.
	Blue Tunic Obtained as a reward for completing the optional Color Dungeon. Permanently increases Link’s defense (reduces damage taken) when worn. Link must choose between the Red or Blue Tunic; he cannot have both.