Food, diamonds and useful tools
Recognize selected pickups through their actual NES sprites and use them for the current objective.
Original 1989 NES game. The Game Boy adaptation, DuckTales 2 and the 2013 DuckTales: Remastered have different maps, controls or systems and are outside this guide.
6 items · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.
Item directory
Birthday cake
The cake restores Scrooge's health completely. Collect it when your health reserve needs rebuilding before a difficult crossing or a boss approach.
Ice cream
Ice cream restores one hit point. Treat it as a small recovery opportunity and approach it carefully if a nearby enemy threatens the landing.
Red diamond
A red diamond adds $50,000 to the current land's money. Collect it on a secure route rather than spending several hit points chasing the score.
Scrooge doll
The Scrooge doll provides an extra life. A larger life reserve gives you more opportunities to learn an unfamiliar boss or difficult pogo sequence.
Skeleton key
Find this key during the Transylvania visit to gain entry to African Mines. A blocked mine entrance is a progression clue rather than an impossible jump.
Gizmoduck remote control
The remote control enables Gizmoduck's assistance on the Moon. Retrieve it from the UFO route, then revisit the obstruction that requires his help.
Every DuckTales pickup
Pickups from the original 1989 NES game.
- Small diamonds — money bonuses
- Red diamond — adds $50,000
- Giant diamond — large hidden bonus
- Ice cream — restores one hit point
- Birthday cake — restores full health
- Scrooge doll — extra life
- Treasure chests — hold diamonds, food or lives
- Skeleton key — found in Transylvania; opens the African Mines
- Gizmoduck remote control — found on the Moon UFO route; lets Gizmoduck clear the way
Quick notes
- Spend health before taking recovery. An ice cream restores one hit point, while a cake fills the health meter.
- Value a safe diamond route. Red diamonds add fifty thousand dollars, but a dangerous detour can cost the run more than it earns.
- Separate route tools from score pickups. The skeleton key opens the way into African Mines, and the remote control connects to Gizmoduck's help on the Moon.
Food restores health; keys and the remote change access. Plan around the kind of benefit you need.
Picture details
Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.
References
Covered edition: Original 1989 NES game. The Game Boy adaptation, DuckTales 2 and the 2013 DuckTales: Remastered have different maps, controls or systems and are outside this wiki.