In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Link’s journey is enriched by a diverse array of items, each offering unique abilities and enhancements essential for overcoming challenges and progressing through the game. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of these items, detailing their locations, acquisition methods, and the specific advantages they confer upon Link. Whether you’re seeking to upgrade your equipment, access new areas, or gain strategic advantages in combat, understanding the functions and benefits of each item is crucial to mastering the game.
Swords
Fighter’s Sword
Location: Hyrule Castle.
Acquisition: Speak with your uncle at the beginning to receive this basic sword.
Usage/Effects: This is Link’s initial weapon, effective against most early-game enemies.
Master Sword
Location: The Lost Woods.
Acquisition: Collect all three Pendants of Virtue (Courage, Power, Wisdom) and retrieve the Master Sword from its pedestal in the Lost Woods.
Usage/Effects: Twice as powerful as the Fighter’s Sword, it can repel evil, break the barrier to Agahnim’s Tower, and fire beams when Link is at full health.
Tempered Sword
Location: Swordsmiths’ Shop (Light World).
Acquisition: After rescuing the Dwarven Swordsmith trapped as a frog in the Dark World Village of Outcasts, reunite him with his brother at their shop (east of Kakariko Village). They will temper your Master Sword for 10 Rupees.
Usage/Effects: An upgrade to the Master Sword, dealing increased damage. Can break the barrier in Ganon’s Tower.
Golden Sword
Location: Pyramid of Power (Dark World).
Acquisition: After completing the Misery Mire dungeon, purchase the Super Bomb from the Bomb Shop in the Dark World (where Link’s house is in the Light World). Use it to open the cracked wall on the west side of the Pyramid of Power. Enter the hidden cave and throw your Tempered Sword into the Mysterious Pond. Answer the Great Fairy honestly to receive the Golden Sword.
Usage/Effects: The most powerful sword upgrade, dealing the highest damage. Essential for defeating Ganon.
Shields
Fighter’s Shield
Location: Hyrule Castle.
Acquisition: Obtained alongside the Fighter’s Sword from your uncle.
Usage/Effects: Provides basic defense, capable of blocking simple projectiles like arrows and spears.
Red Shield (Fire Shield)
Location: Waterfall of Wishing.
Acquisition: After obtaining the Flippers, swim into the waterfall near Zora’s Domain and toss your Fighter’s Shield into the Mysterious Pond. Answer the Great Fairy honestly to receive the upgraded Red Shield.
Usage/Effects: An upgrade to the Fighter’s Shield, capable of blocking small fireballs in addition to basic projectiles.
Mirror Shield
Location: Turtle Rock (Dark World).
Acquisition: Found in the big chest within the Turtle Rock dungeon.
Usage/Effects: The strongest shield. Blocks most projectiles, including large fireballs and laser beams that the Red Shield cannot.
Armor (Mail)
Green Mail
Acquisition: Link begins his journey wearing this standard tunic.
Usage/Effects: Offers basic defense with no damage reduction.
Blue Mail
Location: Ice Palace (Dark World).
Acquisition: Located in the big chest within the Ice Palace dungeon.
Usage/Effects: Reduces damage taken by half (50% reduction).
Red Mail
Location: Ganon’s Tower (Dark World).
Acquisition: Found in the big chest within Ganon’s Tower.
Usage/Effects: Further reduces damage taken to one-quarter (75% reduction), offering the highest defense.
Movement & Interaction
Pegasus Boots
Location: Sahasrahla’s Hideout (Near Eastern Palace).
Acquisition: Complete the Eastern Palace to obtain the Pendant of Courage. Visit Sahasrahla in his hideout (east of Kakariko Village, near the Eastern Palace) and show him the pendant. He will reward you with the Pegasus Boots.
Usage/Effects: Allows Link to perform a high-speed dash by holding the A button. Used to break certain obstacles (like cracked walls or bookshelves), knock items from trees, and cross bridges quickly.
Power Glove
Location: Desert Palace.
Acquisition: Obtain the Big Key within the Desert Palace. Use it to unlock the big chest containing the Power Glove.
Usage/Effects: Allows Link to lift light gray rocks, granting access to new areas and secrets.
Titan’s Mitt
Location: Thieves’ Town dungeon (Dark World).
Acquisition: Found in the big treasure chest within the Thieves’ Town dungeon.
Usage/Effects: An upgrade to the Power Glove. Enables lifting of heavy, dark-colored rocks (including skulls in the Dark World), further expanding accessible areas.
Flippers (Zora’s Flippers)
Location: Zora’s Waterfall (Northeast Hyrule).
Acquisition: Travel northeast past the Magic Shop to reach Zora’s domain. Navigate to the large waterfall and purchase the Flippers from King Zora for 500 Rupees.
Usage/Effects: Permit Link to swim in deep water, accessing new areas like Lake Hylia and the Swamp Palace entrance.
Magic Hammer
Location: Palace of Darkness (Dark World).
Acquisition: Found in the big chest within the Palace of Darkness dungeon.
Usage/Effects: Pounds down stakes, pegs, and certain enemies (like Helmasaurs or Cuccos). Essential for navigating specific areas and accessing secrets.
Hookshot
Location: Swamp Palace (Dark World).
Acquisition: Found in the big chest within the Swamp Palace dungeon.
Usage/Effects: Fires a chain to grapple onto objects (chests, pots, blocks, skulls), pulling Link across gaps or pulling items towards him. Can also stun or defeat certain enemies.
Shovel
Location: Haunted Grove (Dark World).
Acquisition: In the Dark World, find the Flute Boy (transformed into a creature) playing in the Haunted Grove (where the Flute Boy is in the Light World). Speak to him, and he will lend you his Shovel to find his lost Flute.
Usage/Effects: Used temporarily to dig in specific spots, primarily to uncover the Flute in the Light World’s Haunted Grove.
World Navigation & Secrets
Lantern
Location: Link’s House or Hyrule Castle.
Acquisition:
- Link’s House: At the game’s start, open the chest in the bottom-right corner to obtain the Lantern.
- Hyrule Castle: If missed earlier, find it in a chest after meeting your uncle inside the castle.
Usage/Effects: Illuminates dark areas and lights torches. Consumes magic power while lit. Essential for navigating dark rooms and dungeons.
Book of Mudora
Location: House of Books (South of Kakariko Village).
Acquisition: Enter the House of Books. The Book of Mudora rests atop a bookshelf. Use the Pegasus Boots to dash into the bookshelf, causing the book to fall within reach.
Usage/Effects: Allows Link to read ancient Hylian text inscribed on monoliths and tablets. Required to enter the Desert Palace and obtain the Ether and Bombos Medallions.
Magic Mirror
Location: Death Mountain.
Acquisition: Find the Lost Old Man in the caves of Death Mountain (accessible after using the Power Glove). Escort him safely through the dark cave section to his dwelling. He rewards you with the Magic Mirror.
Usage/Effects: Allows Link to travel from the Dark World back to the Light World, appearing at the corresponding location. Creates a temporary warp point. When used inside a dungeon, it returns Link to the entrance.
Moon Pearl
Location: Tower of Hera (Death Mountain).
Acquisition: Found in the big chest within the Tower of Hera dungeon.
Usage/Effects: Allows Link to retain his Hylian form when entering the Dark World. Without it, he transforms into a defenseless bunny.
Flute
Location: Haunted Grove (Light World) / Kakariko Village.
Acquisition: Using the Shovel obtained from the Flute Boy in the Dark World, dig near the flowers in the top-left corner of the Haunted Grove in the Light World to unearth the Flute. Return the Flute to the boy in the Dark World, then play it for him. Finally, play the Flute for the Weathercock in the center of Kakariko Village to activate fast travel.
Usage/Effects: Summons a bird that allows Link to fast travel to various pre-set locations across the Light World map.
Combat & Magic Items
Boomerang (Blue)
Location: Hyrule Castle.
Acquisition: Found in a chest within the Hyrule Castle dungeon during the initial rescue of Zelda.
Usage/Effects: A thrown weapon that returns to Link. Can stun most enemies temporarily and retrieve distant items like Rupees or Hearts.
Magical Boomerang (Red)
Location: Waterfall of Wishing.
Acquisition: After obtaining the Flippers, toss the Blue Boomerang into the Mysterious Pond behind the Waterfall of Wishing. Answer the Great Fairy honestly to receive the upgraded Red Boomerang.
Usage/Effects: An upgrade to the Blue Boomerang. Flies farther and faster, covering the entire screen width. Stuns enemies and retrieves items.
Bombs
Location: Kakariko Village Well / Shops / Enemy Drops.
Acquisition: Initially found in a chest within the cave accessible by jumping into the Kakariko Village well. Can also be purchased from shops or found as drops from enemies.
Usage/Effects: Used to damage enemies and destroy cracked walls or floors, revealing hidden passages or secrets. Capacity can be upgraded via Mysterious Ponds.
Bow & Arrows / Silver Arrows
Bow Location: Eastern Palace.
Silver Arrows Location: Pyramid of Power (Mysterious Pond).
Acquisition:
Bow: Found in the big chest within the Eastern Palace.
Silver Arrows: After obtaining the Super Bomb and Golden Sword, toss the regular Bow into the Mysterious Pond within the Pyramid of Power. Answer the Great Fairy honestly.
Usage/Effects:
Bow & Arrows: Shoots arrows to attack enemies from a distance. Required for certain puzzles and bosses. Consumes arrows (purchased or found). Arrow capacity can be upgraded.
Silver Arrows: A required upgrade to defeat Ganon. Deals significantly more damage than regular arrows.
Fire Rod
Location: Skull Woods dungeon (Dark World).
Acquisition: Found in the big chest within the Skull Woods dungeon.
Usage/Effects: Shoots a projectile of fire. Effective against ice-based enemies and mummies (Gibdos). Can light torches from a distance. Consumes magic power.
Ice Rod
Location: Cave east of Lake Hylia.
Acquisition: Find the cave entrance surrounded by stakes east of Lake Hylia. Bomb the cracked wall inside to access a chest containing the Ice Rod.
Usage/Effects: Shoots a projectile of ice. Can freeze enemies in place. Essential for defeating the boss of the Turtle Rock dungeon (Trinexx). Consumes magic power.
Magic Powder
Location: Witch’s Hut (Near Zora’s Domain).
Acquisition: Give the Mushroom (found in the Lost Woods) to the witch outside the Magic Shop near Zora’s Domain. Return later to receive the Magic Powder from her assistant inside.
Usage/Effects: A sprinkle of powder with various magical effects. Transforms certain enemies (e.g., Buzzblobs into Cukemen), turns Anti-Fairies into Fairies, and lights torches. Consumes magic power (GBA version only).
Ether Medallion
Location: Death Mountain (West of Tower of Hera).
Acquisition: Requires Master Sword and Book of Mudora. Cross the bridge west of the Tower of Hera. Use the Book of Mudora on the green tablet and hold up the Master Sword when prompted.
Usage/Effects: Unleashes a powerful freezing magic that damages or freezes all enemies currently on screen. Required to open the Misery Mire dungeon. Consumes magic power.
Bombos Medallion
Location: Near Swamp of Evil (Dark World) / Desert Area (Light World).
Acquisition: Requires Master Sword, Book of Mudora, and Magic Mirror. Travel to the Dark World area equivalent to the desert south of the Eastern Palace. Stand within the circle of stakes near the cliff edge overlooking the Swamp of Evil area. Use the Magic Mirror to warp to the Light World, landing on an otherwise inaccessible cliff. Use the Book of Mudora on the green tablet and hold up the Master Sword.
Usage/Effects: Unleashes powerful explosive magic, damaging all enemies currently on screen. Required to open the Ice Palace dungeon. Consumes magic power.
Quake Medallion
Location: Lake of Ill Omen (Dark World).
Acquisition: Go to the area in the Dark World corresponding to the Waterfall of Wishing in the Light World. Look for a circle of stones in the water near the northern edge. Throw an item (like a bush, skull, or signpost) into the circle. A large Catfish will emerge and give you the Quake Medallion if you promise not to throw things anymore.
Usage/Effects: Creates an earthquake, damaging or transforming most enemies currently on screen into weaker forms (like Keese into Slime). Required to open the Turtle Rock dungeon. Consumes magic power.
Cane of Somaria
Location: Misery Mire dungeon (Dark World).
Acquisition: Found in the big chest within the Misery Mire dungeon.
Usage/Effects: Creates a temporary block that can be pushed or used to hold down switches. If used over a pit, it creates a temporary red platform. Can also be detonated to release four fireballs. Consumes magic power.
Cane of Byrna
Location: Cave on Death Mountain (Dark World).
Acquisition: Requires Magic Hammer and Magic Cape/Potions. Enter the Dark World via the warp tile on Death Mountain near Spectacle Rock. Jump off the ledge to the south to find a cave entrance blocked by pegs. Hammer the pegs down. Inside, navigate a path covered in damaging spikes (use the Magic Cape for invincibility or lots of health/potions) to reach the chest containing the Cane of Byrna.
Usage/Effects: Creates a protective barrier of light around Link that damages enemies upon contact while active. Continuously drains magic power while in use.
Magic Cape
Location: Graveyard (Light World).
Acquisition: Requires Pegasus Boots (and either Titan’s Mitt or Magic Mirror). In the northeast corner of the Graveyard, find a tombstone surrounded by dark rocks. Either lift the rocks (Titan’s Mitt) or use the Magic Mirror to warp from the corresponding Dark World spot onto the ledge. Dash into the tombstone with Pegasus Boots to reveal a hidden staircase. Descend to find a chest containing the Magic Cape.
Usage/Effects: Renders Link invisible and invulnerable to damage and most obstacles (like Bumpers and spikes) while active. Continuously drains magic power while in use.
Collection & Utility
Bottles (x4)
Usage/Effects: Empty containers used to store various items like Potions (Red, Green, Blue), Fairies, Bees, and Golden Bees for later use.
Acquisition Locations:
- Kakariko Village Merchant: Purchase from the merchant sitting on a rug in the northwest part of Kakariko Village for 100 Rupees.
- Kakariko Village Inn: Enter the Inn through the back door (accessible from the north side of the building) to find a chest containing a Bottle.
- Under the Bridge: Requires Flippers. Swim under the bridge south of the Eastern Palace area to find a man living there who will give you a Bottle.
- Locked Chest (Requires Titan’s Mitt): Find a locked chest near the Swordsmith’s house location in the Dark World. Carry this chest back to the Light World and take it to the man sitting near the entrance sign to the Desert of Mystery (southwest Hyrule). He will unlock the chest for you, revealing the Bottle.
Bug-Catching Net
Location: Kakariko Village.
Acquisition: Enter the house with the green roof near the center of Kakariko Village. Speak to the sick boy inside, and he will give you the Bug-Catching Net.
Usage/Effects: Used to catch Fairies and Bees to store in Bottles. Can also be swung like a weapon to deflect Agahnim’s energy balls and Sahasrahla’s projectiles.
Mushroom
Location: Lost Woods.
Acquisition: Found lying on the ground in the Lost Woods, typically near one of the hollow log entrances.
Usage/Effects: A quest item. Give it to the witch outside the Magic Shop (near Zora’s Domain) to eventually obtain the Magic Powder.