Zelda's Re-Appearing Items
Written On: August 12th, 2009
By: Robbie Kincaid
About This Article-
Ok, so most of us have played more than one Zelda game by now. And something we all do eventually whilst playing and gaining a new item is say "Hey, that was in <insert game name here>!" So here's an attempt, on my part, to try to catalog as many constant items as possible, for your reading (and educational) pleasure. If you have anything to add or change on this list, please contact me!
Bombs
Bombs have been a staple of many Zelda games. They are a very versatile tool in that they allow you to attack enemies, trigger switches, create traps, and even destroy certain walls. They are usually found fairly early in-game, and can be replenished by finding them in chests, by defeating enemies, as prizes, or bought at a store. So that's what makes bombs a smart choice for tactical players.
Bomb Bag
A satchel for carrying bombs. Usually has the ability to be upgraded so that you can carry even more! Appears in Oot, MM, TMC, TWW, and TP.
Bow and Arrows
One of my personal favorite weapons. The bow allows players to attack enemies, trigger switches, and even freeze or thaw things (if you have the appropriate arrow and enough magic). Among my favorite features of the bow is the ability to "play sniper" and defeat some enemies without having to get close, often saving you time and valuable health. Arrows for your bow are generally pretty cheap if bought at stores, but can also be found in chests, as prizes, in grass, and in pots and boxes! Sub-items for this weapon include:
Silver Arrows
A more powerful arrow. Required to kill Ganon (LoZ and ALTtP). Made of silver so that it can pierce the evil one's defenses!
Bomb Arrows
An arrow with a bomb attached to it. Play sniper with an added explosion for taking down more powerful enemies! Appears in LA and TP. Uses one arrow and one bomb.
Fire Arrows
An arrow engulfed by a raging flame. Use it to burn grass and enemies, or tactically to thaw switches and other items. Appears in Oot, MM, and TTW. Consumes magic power.
Ice Arrows
An arrow that carries the chilling polar wind. Use it to freeze enemies and water (to create walkways) or to put out fires. Appears in Oot, MM, and TTW. Consumes magic power.
Light Arrows
An arrow possessing the power of purifying light. Often the most powerful item in the game (kills most enemies with one hit). They really have no purpose beyond killing enemies and dealing damage to/killing Ganon. They also consume the most magic power. Appears in Oot, TTW, and TP (only used by Princess Zelda).
Cane of Somaria
A legendary red cane that can create blacks at the flick of your wrist. Once use again the black transforms into fireballs that fly off in four directions. Blocks can be pushed, carried, and thrown so that you can trigger switches, destroy enemies, and even create platforms! Beware, though. They use magic power. Found in ALTtP, OoA, and FSA.
Compass
A dungeon navigational tool that uses magic to show where hidden treasure chests are on your Dungeon Map (except in ALTtP and LA). Starting with LA, after acquiring the Compass, it would emit a sound upon entering a room containing a hidden chest. This feature has since been used in all the Game Boy titles. Found in all games.
Deku Nuts
The dried buds of Deku Babas, Deku Nuts are used for one purpose: paralyzation. Once thrown they explode emitting a brilliant flash of light which temporarily stuns an enemy, allowing you to run away or deal some damage until the effect wears off. The Sheikah use Deku Nuts to leave an area without being seen, much like a stealthy ninja. Appears in Oot, and MM.
Deku Seeds
Seeds of the Deku Baba plant, they are the primary source of ammunition for the Slingshot. In Twilight Princess, you can use either Pumpkin Seeds or Deku Seeds for shooting. Appears in Oot and TP.
Deku Sticks
The dried stalks of Deku Babas, they have the ability to be used as weapons and make-shift torches so you can burn down webs and light torches etc. There's a glitch in Oot and MM where you can perform a jump attack with them, causing them to split in half (whereas they usually just break). The resulting sword-like stick does twice as much damage as your Kokiri Sword, and as invincible. Found in Oot and MM.
Fairies
Fairies are very useful creatures. If bottled they can be unleashed at will refilling some health (or after you die, avoiding a game over). Also, if you touch them in the field they will replenish some health.
Fire Rod
A mystical rod that calls forth the power of fire when swung. Use it to burn things including enemies, light torches etc. It's also a beta item for TMC, but can only be attained by cheat codes and only equipped on (A), although it does absolutely nothing. Found in ALTtP, FSA, and TMC.
Fishing Rod
A wooden fishing rod designed to...well catch fish! In Oot and LA, it can be purchased and used in a set area like a mini game (the fishing pond), and used to catch fish there. In TP it's used to catch different fish in different areas. Also in PH it's attainable through a side quest and allows you to fish when you're near a large fish shadow. Appears in Oot, TP, and PH.
Grappling Hook
A steel hook attached to a rope. The grappling hook has many great uses. It can steal items from enemies, stun/attack them, be used to swing on objects, and even be used to haul sunken treasure from the ocean floor! Appears in TWW and PH.
Hammer
A great weapon by many names (Hammer, Magic Hammer, Megaton Hammer, and Skull Hammer). This weapon can be used to pound posts into the earth, attack enemies, and even activate rusty switches that can't be switched by standing on them. Appears in ALTtP, Oot, FSA, and TWW.
Heart Container
Given as a reward for defeating a boss, these heart-shaped items boost your health meter by one heart. Sub Items include:
Pieces of Heart/Heart Pieces
These are found in various places throughout the game-usually found by exploring. Collect four to create a Heart Container (five in Twilight Princess).
Heart
These standard healing items are found in all kinds of areas: in grass and bushes, in enemies, and in pots to name a few. They heal your heart meter by one heart.
Hookshot
The Hookshot is a very useful tool. Essentially a chain attached to a rod (spring loaded in later games), you swing it (or pull the trigger) to send a chain out to latch onto items, pulling them to you. In addition you can stun enemies, hit switches, and pull yourself across chasms with ease. Then there's the Longshot, an upgraded version of the Hookshot in Oot. The only difference is an extra long chain. Appears in ALTtP, La, Oot, MM, and TWW. Sub items for this weapon include:
Switch Hook
In the Oracle series, the Switch Hook acts like the Hookshot but with a difference...if you latch onto something target-able, you switch places with it, making it a very interesting item to wield. Appears in OoA and OoS.
Clawshot(s)
The Clawshot is just like the Hookshot, except for as Link progress he gains a SECOND one, allowing him to cling to a surface with one, and latch on to something else with the other. A very fun tool! Appears in TP.
Iron Boots
The Iron Boots are a fun feature added to the Zelda series. They let you sink to the bottom of bodies of water, keep you from being blown away by strong wind, make you heavier for various purposes, and can be magnetized so that you can walk up walls and even on ceilings! Found in Oot, TWW, and TP.
Keys
Keys have been in every Legend of Zelda game to date. Now like all keys, they serve one purpose...unlocking locked doors! In most games the keys come in two sizes: small keys for unlocking various locked doors throughout a dungeon (the keys found in a dungeon can only be used in that dungeon EXCEPT in the original LoZ), and Big Keys (Nightmare Keys, etc. depending on the game) which unlocked the door to the dungeon boss' lair (and unlocked the big chests in ALTtP).
Lantern
The lantern is used to light dark areas and light torches. Beware, though, because using it depletes your magic meter (or lantern oil in TP). Appears in ALTtP, TMC (as the Flame Lantern), and TP.
Lens Of Truth
The Lens of Truth is a magical looking glass designed to let the player see invisible items, platforms, chests, and enemies, as well as false walls or floors. It could be found in the Bottom of the Well in Kakariko Village, in Hyrule; as well as a cave in the Goron Village near Snowhead in the world of Termina. Appears in OoT and MM.
Magic Armor
The Magic Armor is a mystical gem (or actual suit of armor depending on the game) that makes you invincible for a limited amount of time. In TWW, it would cover you in a mystic aura that made you invulnerable until your magic energy was drained, leaving you once again prone to attack. In TP, it was a suit of armor that made you invincible until you ran out of Rupees, leaving just an attractive plate armor suit on you. Appears in TWW and TP.
Magic Beans
The Magic Beans are used to make platforms that will fly you around, often leading to a small prize or, at times, a Piece of Heart. Once planted in soft patches of soil around Hyrule, they begin to grow. Come back seven years later, and you've got yourself a flying platform! In MM, all you have to do is give them a bottle of water and they grow instantly! Appears in OoT and MM.
Magic Jar
Magic Jars (often called Magic Potions or Magic decanters) are used to fill up your magic meter. Only found in games that utilize a magic system, like LA. They can be found by defeating enemies, under rocks, in chests, you know the like. They often come in two sizes, the smaller usually filling about an eighth of your meter, whereas the biggest usually fills the whole thing. Found in LA, ALTtP, OoT, MM, and TWW.
Magic Powder
The Magic Powder is given to link by a witch after he brings her a mushroom. He can then use it for a variety of reactions depending on what it's used on (hint, sprinkle it on an Anti-Fairy to transform it into a real fairy!). It can change enemies, light fires and (in LA) wake Tarin from his unusual slumber. Found in ALTtP and LA.
Magic Rod
The Magic Rod is a mysterious rod used to expel blasts of magical energy when it is swung. In TLoZ, it's existence is given purpose upon finding the Book of Magic, which causes flames to spout up when an enemy or wall is struck causing more damage. In LA, it acts like ALTtP's Fire Rod, in that it can light torches. It's also one of the few things that can kill a Cucco! Found in TLoZ and LA.
Mirror Shield
The Mirror Shield has appeared in many games. It's shiny, polished exterior makes it great for repelling light, but it also has a magic attached to it that allows it to return magic attacks, and in TMC allows you to turn normal projectiles into blasts of magic! Appears in ALTtP, LA, OoT, MM, Oracle Series, TMC, and TWW.
Pegasus Boots
The Pegasus Boots serve only one purpose...allowing Link to dash at a high speed! This is useful especially when combined with the Roc's Cape or Feather, which lets you jump twice as far! Found in ALTtP, LA, FSA, and TMC.
Pictograph Box
The Pictograph Box is Hyrule's version of a camera. It allows Link to save anywhere from one to three pictures in color or black and white (depending on the game). In TWW, it's renamed the Picto Box for taking black and white pictographs and the Deluxe Picto Box for taking color ones. Found in MM, and TWW.
Potions
Potions are a long standing staple of the Zelda series. Red ones restore life, and green ones restore magic. The rarer and more expensive blue potions restore both health and magic (in games where a magic system is used). These various colors appear in many Zelda games.
Power Bracelet(s)
The Power Bracelet(s) are found in a great deal of Zelda games, however their affect is the same. They make you stronger, so that you can lift, push, or pull heavier objects. Appears in TLoZ, LA, Oracle Series, FSA, and TMC. Sub items for this item are:
Power Glove(s)
The Power Glove(s) appear in LA, ALTtP, and OoA. Their affect is the same as the Power Bracelet(s)'. In ALTtP, an upgrade for the Power Glove is found that allows you to pick up even heavier objects. It is called the Titan's Mitt.
Gold And Silver Gauntlets
The Silver Gauntlets allow you to pick up big grey boulders that appear throughout Hyrule, while the Golden Gauntlets allow you to pick up even heavier objects. Found in OoT.
Roc's Feather
The feather of a mystical bird of enormous power, it allows link to jump over holes and pits in the ground (and with enough skill you can barely make it over two pits!). Found in LA, Oracle Series, and FSA. Sub items for this item are:
Roc's Cape
A cape imbued with the power of the mystical bird. It allows Link to glide rather than jump over holes or obstacles. Found in OoS, FS, FSA, and TMC.
Rupees
Rupees are the currency for many of the lands of the Zelda series. Their many different colors hint at their different values, and rarity. They aren't found in AoL, or FSA. Sub items include:
Rupee Bags/Wallets
The varying sizes of these bags determine how many rupees you can carry with you. Found in every Zelda game that uses rupees.
Shields
Shields have appeared in all Zelda games. They are usually upgradable and can therefore get stronger over time. There are a very wide variety of shields from game to game, almost always leaving the Mirror Shield as the strongest. In the mobile games, we get to see Link (for the only time) without a shield for extended periods of time, because of the way the item system worked. It allowed you to unequip your shield so you could use two various items to make combinations!
Shovel
The shovel is...well, a shovel! It allows you to dig in soft patches of earth in the field and in caves. You can dig up secret pits, rupees, hearts, and on occasion bugs that try to harm you. Appears in ALTtP, LA, Oracle Series, FSA, and PH. Sub items include:
Mole Mitts
The Mole Mitts act like the shovel in that they allow you do dig, and even tunnel through areas of different color rock often found in caves.
Sinking Lure
The sinking lure is a very useful item for catching the larger fish that live in the deeper water. Although it is *ahem* illegal, it works. Appears in OoT and TP.
Slingshot
The slingshot is in many games the long range weapon you receive before obtaining the bow. It's light weight and often uses seeds as its projectile. Found in OoT, OoS, FSA, and TP.
Tunic
Yet another staple of the Zelda series that has appeared in every game. Link starts by wearing a staple green one, but often gains the ability to wear different ones (often changing things like damage reduction or the ability to breathe underwater) by purchasing or finding them, or by completing hidden dungeons or wearing different rings, depending on the game.
Zora Scale
The Zora Scale has three different purposes. The first time it appeared, you could get a Silver and a Gold version (never seen a gold Zora, but oh well!), which allowed you to dive deeper and deeper into bodies of water. The next time it appeared it had more value in that you traded it to gain access to areas and items vital to the game. The last time we see it, it's simply a valuable treasure for trading or selling to make money. Appears in OoT, OoA, and PH.
Contribute!
This article is a work in progress, meaning that all the information may not be up yet or all of it may not be correct. If you see an error, or have a contribution for this or any other part of the site, feel free to contact me!