Bottles, magic and exploration upgrades
Prepare for longer dungeons and use the two worlds to find optional improvements.
Original SNES release; Game Boy Advance additions are outside this guide.
Build a recovery reserve
Bottles can hold useful recovery supplies, allowing you to prepare for a dungeon rather than relying on random drops. Check the bottle contents before leaving town. A bottle that is occupied by something else cannot also hold the potion you intended to buy.
Treat magic as ammunition
Rods, medallions and other magical tools can exhaust the same resource. Avoid repeatedly testing a high-cost action when you have not understood the puzzle. Carry recovery for a dungeon that relies heavily on magic, and preserve enough to handle the boss or a required mechanism.
Use the Magic Mirror with a destination in mind
The worlds have related layouts but different barriers. Inspect the target location in one world, then consider whether returning through the other creates an approach. Choose a safe, clear landing area and remember where your return point is located.
Revisit lifting and swimming barriers
The Power Glove, Titan’s Mitt and Zora’s Flippers open distinct kinds of routes. Record which obstacle stopped you. A heavy dark stone is not solved by the same upgrade as a basic rock, and a water route may become useful long before the next story dungeon.
Collect hearts between difficult stretches
The original game has 24 Pieces of Heart, with four pieces per additional container. Side caves, minigames and exploration contribute to this total. Check your current piece count and collect a nearby reachable reward before a difficult dungeon if it would complete a container.
Check the edition note above before following a route. Suggested preparation and tactics are editorial recommendations; alternative teams and routes can also work.