In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Link’s maximum health is capped at 16 Hearts. You begin your adventure with 3 Hearts, leaving 13 additional Heart Containers to find throughout Hyrule. Unlike some other Zelda titles that require collecting four Heart Pieces to form a full container, Spirit Tracks follows the model of its predecessor, Phantom Hourglass, by awarding full Heart Containers directly. These essential upgrades can be found by defeating dungeon bosses, completing challenging sidequests, making shrewd purchases, and exploring the world.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to locating all 13 collectable Heart Containers:
Heart Container #1
Location: Forest Temple (Forest Realm)
Required Items/Conditions: Complete the Forest Temple.
Details: This is the first Heart Container you’ll naturally acquire through the main story. After navigating the Forest Temple and defeating the boss, Stagnox, Armored Colossus, a chest containing the Heart Container will appear in the boss chamber.
Heart Container #2
Location: Castle Town (Forest Realm) – Take ‘Em All On Challenge
Required Items/Conditions: Whirlwind, Complete the Forest Temple.
Details: Once the Forest Temple is cleared, the “Take ‘Em All On” challenge becomes available in Castle Town (in the southeast building). Speak to the man inside to participate. For Level 1, you’ll need to defeat enemies across several floors, culminating in a rematch against Stagnox. Successfully clearing Level 1 rewards you with this Heart Container.
Heart Container #3
Location: Snow Temple (Snow Realm)
Required Items/Conditions: Complete the Snow Temple.
Details: Similar to the first dungeon, completing the Snow Temple and defeating its boss, Fraaz, Master of Icy Fire, will reward you with your next Heart Container. Collect it from the chest that appears after the battle.
Heart Container #4
Location: Anouki Village Shop (Snow Realm)
Required Items/Conditions: 2000 Rupees, Access to Snow Realm.
Details: Not all health upgrades require battling monsters; sometimes, cold hard cash will suffice. Visit the shop in Anouki Village within the Snow Sanctuary. A Heart Container is available for purchase for a hefty sum of 2000 Rupees. It’s often available shortly after you first gain access to the Snow Realm, but you’ll need to save up.
Heart Container #5
Location: Rabbitland Rescue (Forest Realm)
Required Items/Conditions: Rabbit Net, Catch 5 Rabbits (Forest Realm).
Details: After completing the Snow Temple, visit the Rabbitland Rescue sanctuary located in the Forest Realm (east side). Speak to the owner standing near the entrance gate. He will give you the Rabbit Net. Your task is to capture rabbits scattered across the different realms. Return to him after successfully catching 5 different rabbits specifically found within the Forest Realm. As a reward for helping repopulate his sanctuary, he will give you a Heart Container.
Heart Container #6
Location: Hyrule Castle (Forest Realm) – Guard Training
Required Items/Conditions: Complete the Snow Temple, 50 Rupees (entry fee).
Details: After clearing the Snow Temple, check your mail at a postbox. You should receive a letter from Russell, the Captain of the Guard. Head to Hyrule Castle and enter the guard barracks/training room (east side of the main floor). Russell has a new training challenge for you. Pay the 50 Rupee fee. The objective is to strike the stationary guards 60 times within the time limit, all while avoiding being hit by the single patrolling guard. Succeed in this challenge, and Russell will award you a Heart Container.
Heart Container #7
Location: Ocean Temple (Ocean Realm)
Required Items/Conditions: Complete the Ocean Temple.
Details: Continuing the pattern, this Heart Container is your reward for conquering the Ocean Temple. Defeat the temple boss, Phytops, Barbed Menace, and claim the Heart Container from the chest that appears post-battle.
Heart Container #8
Location: Whittleton Village (Forest Realm) – Whip Race
Required Items/Conditions: Whip, Access to Whittleton Village.
Details: After clearing the Ocean Temple and obtaining the Whip, return to Whittleton Village in the Forest Realm. A new minigame, the Whip Race, will be available. Speak to the villager running it. Use your Whip to swing across poles and navigate the obstacle course. Finish the race in under 1 minute and 15 seconds (1:15:00) to win the Heart Container prize.
Heart Container #9
Location: Fire Temple (Fire Realm)
Required Items/Conditions: Complete the Fire Temple.
Details: Your diligence in clearing dungeons pays off again. Defeat Cragma, Lava Lord, the boss of the Fire Temple. A chest containing another Heart Container will be your reward.
Heart Container #10
Location: Pirate Hideout (Ocean Realm) – Minigame
Required Items/Conditions: Bow & Arrow, Force Gem #16 (obtained from the ‘Lost at Sea’ sidequest involving the Bridge Worker’s wife).
Details: To access the Pirate Hideout in the southwestern part of the Ocean Realm, you first need to restore the Spirit Tracks leading there. This requires obtaining Force Gem #16. Once accessible, enter the hideout and talk to the Minigame operator. Participate in the shooting gallery-style minigame. Use your Bow & Arrow to hit targets and rescue captured children (avoid hitting the girls!). Achieve a score of 4000 points or more to earn a Heart Container.
Heart Container #11
Location: Sand Temple (Sand Realm)
Required Items/Conditions: Complete the Sand Temple.
Details: This is the final Heart Container awarded automatically for defeating a main story dungeon boss. Overcome the challenges of the Sand Temple and defeat its guardian, Skeldritch, Ancient Demon, to claim your prize from the appearing chest.
Heart Container #12
Location: Beedle’s Air Shop / Castle Town Shop Stall
Required Items/Conditions: Spend 5000 Rupees cumulatively at Beedle’s shops.
Details: Beedle runs a loyalty program. Whether you shop at his flying Air Shop or his stall in Castle Town, your purchases are tracked. Once you have spent a cumulative total of 5000 Rupees across his establishments, you will achieve Gold Membership status (sometimes referred to as the VIP card). As a reward for your loyalty (and deep pockets), Beedle will gift you a Heart Container.
Heart Container #13
Location: Ends of the Earth Station (Ocean Realm – North West)
Required Items/Conditions: Sand Wand, Force Gem #20 (obtained from the ‘Top Secret’ sidequest involving Papuchia Village Chief and Carben).
Details: The final Heart Container is located at the Ends of the Earth Station, situated at the far northwestern terminus of the Spirit Tracks map in the Ocean Realm. Accessing this station requires restoring the tracks using Force Gem #20. Inside the station, you’ll find a series of block-pushing puzzles that require the Sand Wand. Solve the third puzzle room in this sequence, and the chest containing the final Heart Container will be your reward.
With all 13 collectable Heart Containers found, added to your initial 3, Link will reach his maximum health of 16 Hearts, fully prepared to face the final challenges of his adventure! Good luck!