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.
Table of Contents
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.
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.
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 Slap Piece
Found within each dungeon. Used at Owl Statues inside the dungeon to receive cryptic hints about puzzles or secrets.
Small Key
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.
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.
Hookshot
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.
Bomb
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).
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.
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.
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.
Consumables & Collectibles
Rupees
Currency used for shops, mini-games. Found everywhere. Wallet capacity upgrades available (max 999 Rupees).
Heart
Red hearts that replenish Link’s health meter. Dropped by enemies, found under bushes/pots.
Heart Piece
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 Container
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.
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.