The Legend of Zelda: where to find
A compact First Quest equipment checklist. Heart requirements mean maximum Heart Containers, not your currently filled hearts.
The three swords
Sword: starting-screen cave. White Sword: Lynel-guarded waterfall cave in northeastern Hyrule, with five Heart Containers. Magical Sword: in the Graveyard's northeastern screen, push the third gravestone from the left in the middle row downward. The Old Man requires twelve Heart Containers.
Sword-Giving Old Man — Zelda Fandom · White Sword — Zelda Fandom · Magical Sword — Zelda Fandom · NES sword directions — GameFAQs · NES Graveyard screen — GameFAQs
Dungeon treasures: Levels 1–5
Level 1 holds the Boomerang and Bow; Level 2 the Magical Boomerang; Level 3 the Raft; Level 4 the Stepladder; and Level 5 the Recorder. Collect the Raft before attempting Level 4's island entrance. These locations apply to the First Quest.
Level 1 — Zelda Fandom · Magical Boomerang — Zelda Fandom · Raft — Zelda Fandom · Level 4 — Zelda Fandom · Level 5 — Zelda Fandom
Dungeon treasures: Levels 6–9
Level 6 holds the Magical Rod; Level 7 the Red Candle; Level 8 the Book of Magic and Magical Key; and Level 9 the Red Ring and Silver Arrows. Search beyond the route to each boss so you do not miss its treasure rooms.
Magical Rod — Zelda Fandom · Level 7 — Zelda Fandom · Level 8 — Zelda Fandom · Level 9 — Zelda Fandom
Power Bracelet
Search the Armos statues in northwestern Hyrule, east of the Graveyard. Touch the statues to wake them, then check the ground they uncover. One conceals the Power Bracelet, which lets Link push certain overworld rocks aside. Its location is unchanged in the Second Quest.
Power Bracelet — Zelda Fandom · NES item locations — GameFAQs
Letter and potion shops
From Hyrule's northeastern corner, go one screen south, one west, then north up the stairs to the cave. The Old Man gives you the Letter. Equip it and show it to an Old Woman in her cave to unlock potion sales.
Letter-Entrusting Old Man — Zelda Fandom · Old Man — Zelda Fandom · NES Letter directions — GameFAQs
Summaries written for this guide. Artwork and screenshots © Nintendo.