Two-world exploration basics
A starter guide to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past: look for connections between worlds, use dungeon maps deliberately, prepare bottles and supplies, mark incomplete heart upgrades.
Original SNES release; Game Boy Advance additions are outside this guide.
Look for connections between worlds
The Light World and Dark World have related geography but different obstacles. Once you can travel between them, consider whether a blocked destination can be approached from its counterpart.
Use dungeon maps deliberately
Check unopened routes before spending a long time testing the same puzzle. A newly found item often changes which rooms you can reach.
Prepare bottles and supplies
Bottles provide useful recovery options. Before a difficult dungeon, restock and check your ammunition so a long trip does not end because you ran out of essentials.
Mark incomplete heart upgrades
Four Pieces of Heart make an additional Heart Container. Record the location of a piece you cannot yet reach and the obstacle that prevented you from collecting it.
This is a starter reference, not a complete walkthrough or item database. Use the linked game reference for detailed routes and collection lists.