Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Famicom Disk System / NES · 1987
Take on dangerous palaces, learn powerful spells, and help Link awaken the sleeping Princess Zelda. Find walkthroughs, boss strategies, and tips for Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
Explore the guide
The Adventure of Link is the second Zelda game in the Zelda series and takes place directly after The Legend of Zelda. Again, Nintendo decided to try some new, revolutionary features with this game. Combining the standard top-down Zelda format with side-scrolling elements and adding in a level-up system, they definitely created a game different from the Zelda formula you’re used to, but it still lives up to the overall greatness of the series.
The Adventure of Link takes place in Hyrule yet again. This time, Link must visit the six palaces of Hyrule, defeat their guardians, and replace their missing crystals. Only then will he be able to return to the Great Palace and awaken the sleeping Princess Zelda.
Main Quest Walkthrough: Awakening Zelda
- Starting the Adventure: North Castle and Rauru: Register a save, leave North Castle and reach Rauru Town for the Shield spell.
- Palace 1: Parapa Palace: Enter the first palace, collect its four keys and the Candle, defeat Horsehead and place the first crystal.
- Ruto, the Trophy and the Jump Spell: The dark cave south of North Palace, the Tantari Desert cave, then Ruto Town and the caves that lead on from it.
- Saria and the Life Spell: Find the Mirror in Saria and return it to learn the Life spell.
- Death Mountain and the Hammer: The caves of Death Mountain, the lava room under Spectacle Rock and the desert road to Mido.
- Mido Town, the Water of Life and the Fairy Spell: Downward Thrust in Mido Town and the Water of Life from Moruge Swamp.
- Palace 2: Midoro Palace: The swamp palace, reached after Mido Town.
- Palace 3: Island Palace: The island palace south of King’s Tomb, reached with the Fairy spell.
- Nabooru and the Fire Spell: The eastern desert, the town of Nabooru and the sandstone caves.
- Darunia, the Kidnapped Child and the Reflect Spell: Upward Thrust in Darunia, the rescue of the child on Maze Island and the trip back for Reflect.
- Palace 4: Maze Island Palace: On Maze Island east of Darunia; Reflect is needed for the Wizzrobes and Carock.
- Palace 5: Palace on the Sea: The green-brick palace on the island east of Nabooru, reached with the Boots.
- New Kasuto, Old Kasuto and the Thunder Spell: The grassland, Old Kasuto, the hidden town of New Kasuto and the desert up to Palace 6.
- Palace 6: Three-Eye Rock Palace: Revealed by the Flute between three rocks in the desert, with the Magical Key for its locked doors.
- Final Palace: The Great Palace and the Ending: The Valley of Death, the Great Palace, then the final fight with Dark Link.
Side Quests & Collectibles
- Heart Containers: Locations of all 4 hidden Overworld Heart Containers.
- Magic Containers: All four Magic Containers in Zelda II, where each one is hidden, what you need to reach it.
- Link Dolls: Finding the hidden Extra Lives throughout Hyrule.
- P-Bags: Where to find P-Bags (Point Bags).
- Magic Jars: Reliable Restoration Points & Enemy Drop Tips.
- Fairy Locations: Finding Full Health Restoration Spots on the Overworld.
- Experience and Levels: The experience each Attack, Magic and Life level needs up to level 8, what each stat does.
- Hidden Towns and Caves: New Kasuto and Old Kasuto, the Hammer and Flute reveals, the hidden palace and the caves with P-Bags.
Resources & Guides
- Maps: Complete maps detailing West Hyrule, Death Mountain/East Hyrule, Maze Island, Town locations, Cave locations, Palace entrances, and hidden paths.
- Items: Overview of Link’s inventory, Sword techniques (Downthrust, Upthrust), Shield, Key Items, and the 8 Magic Spells.
- Spells: All 8 spells in Zelda II, who teaches each one, the task you must finish first.
- Bosses: How to defeat the six Palace Guardians (Mazura, Jermafenser, Rebonack, Carock, Gooma, Barba), Thunderbird, and Dark Link.
- Enemies: Where you meet each monster, its EXP value on the NES and how to deal with it.
- Characters: Guide to Impa, Princess Zelda, Wise Men, Healers, Townspeople, Bagu, and Ganon’s minions.
- Palaces and Crystals: All seven palaces of Zelda II at a glance, with how to enter each one, its item, boss and crystal.
- Introduction: Introduction to Zelda II on NES, covering side-scrolling and overworld play, controls, the Life.
- Story and Setting: The premise of the game and the state of Hyrule.
- Codes and Secrets: A reference list of common Game Genie cheat codes for The Adventure of Link.
- Second Quest: Levels, spells and the save file, and what you must collect again, including palace items and containers.
- Game Genie Codes: Unveil the secrets of NES Game Genie codes! Learn about this cheat device’s history.
- MIDIs: MIDI renditions of the game’s themes.
- 100% Completion Checklist: Seven palaces, six crystals, 8 spells, containers, Link Dolls, P-Bags, fairies and levels 8-8-8.
The original adventure
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link first released on Famicom Disk System / NES · 1987.
