Ahoy there, Zelda adventurers! Ever wandered into the lighthouse game room on Windfall Island and met the… enthusiastic Salvatore? If you have, you’ve likely encountered his unique, squid-themed take on the classic game of Battleship, officially called “Sinking Ships” (though many of us just call it “Sploosh Kaboom!” thanks to Salvatore’s sound effects!).
This minigame is a Windfall staple, but it’s notorious for being equal parts fun and frustrating. Ready to test your luck and strategy against those hidden cephalopods? Let’s dive into the rules, tactics, and treasures that await!
Where to Play:
- Location: Windfall Island [D2 Grid Square]
- Proprietor: Salvatore (acting as “Admiral Dolvalski”)
- Cost: 10 Rupees per attempt
The Rules of Engagement: How to Play
Salvatore sets the scene with a dramatic puppet show: deadly giant squids are threatening Windfall! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to sink ’em before they get too close.
- The Battlefield: You’re presented with an 8×8 grid map. Hidden somewhere on this grid are three pesky squids of different sizes:
- One small squid (takes up 2 squares)
- One medium squid (takes up 3 squares)
- One large squid (takes up 4 squares)
- Your Arsenal: You have a limited supply of 24 cannonballs. Make every shot count!
- Firing: Use the controls to move your targeting cursor over the grid and press the button to fire a cannonball at that square.
- Hits and Misses:
- If you hit an empty square, Salvatore gleefully announces “Sploosh!” and an ‘X’ marks the spot.
- If you hit part of a squid, it’s “KABOOM!” and an orange explosion marker appears.
- The Goal: Your objective is to land hits on all nine squares occupied by the three squids before you run out of cannonballs. Sink all three squid pods to win!
Strategies for Success (Or, How to Minimize the “Splooshing”)
Let’s be honest: this game involves a lot of luck. The squid positions are randomized every single time you play. However, you’re not completely at the mercy of the RNG gods! Here are some common strategies veteran players use:
- Spread ‘Em Out: Don’t waste shots by firing right next to a miss. If you miss at square C4, firing at C5, B4, D4, or C3 immediately after is unlikely to be efficient unless you have a strong hunch.
- Checkerboard Strategy: A popular tactic is to fire in a checkerboard pattern (e.g., A1, A3, A5, A7, then B2, B4, B6, B8, and so on). This covers a lot of ground quickly and increases your chances of hitting something early on.
- Think About Size: Once you’ve sunk one or two squids, consider the size of the remaining one(s). If you’re only looking for the 2-square squid, firing into the middle of a large empty area might be less effective than checking smaller gaps between your previous shots. Likewise, if only the 4-square squid remains, don’t bother firing at isolated 2 or 3-square gaps.
- Luck vs. Skill: While strategy helps, prepare for some frustrating rounds where the squids seem expertly hidden. Sometimes, persistence (and a healthy Rupee stash) is key!
- Advanced Note: The challenge of this minigame is so legendary that speedrunners actually developed complex tools (like the “Sploosh Kaboom Probability Calculator”) to predict squid placement based on the game’s internal random number generator. That’s dedication! For most players, though, the basic strategies are your best bet.
The Spoils of War: Rewards for Victory
Risking your Rupees and sanity against Salvatore’s squids comes with some excellent rewards, especially for completionists:
First Victory
Piece of Heart! A crucial collectible.
Second Victory
Treasure Chart #7! This chart leads you to a sunken treasure chest near Star Island containing a cool 200 Rupees.
Victory with 20 Shots or Fewer
Treasure Chart #23! This is the real challenge. Manage to sink all squids using 20 cannonballs or less, and you’ll get this chart, which leads to another Piece of Heart near Diamond Steppe Island. (Note: You still get the normal win reward like the Purple Rupee when earning this).
Subsequent Victories
After snagging the Heart and both charts, future wins will net you a Purple Rupee (50 Rupees).
Setting a New Record
If you beat your personal best number of shots (after getting the unique prizes), Salvatore might toss you an Orange Rupee (100 Rupees) along with the standard Purple Rupee prize.
Bonus Tip: Before you even start playing, check behind Salvatore’s game stand. Climb up, and you’ll find three sneaky Yellow Rupees hiding there for an easy 30 Rupee boost!