Few Zelda games are as memorable as A Link To The Past, the classic SNES title that redefined the franchise, and paved the way forward for its future successors. It’s a timeless example of what happens when a charming premise, exciting gameplay, and loads of secrets are married to a solid adventure narrative.
Speaking of secrets, there are quite a few that many gamers completely miss, even after multiple playthroughs. Many of these secrets can be found in the infamous Dark World, a dystopian version of the Light World with tougher enemies, and far more deadly traps. Read along to see if you’ve missed any of these 10 important secrets.
10 Pyramid Of Power Heart Piece
When you first acquire the Master Sword, you’ll automatically be transported to the Dark World for the first time, where you stand at the top of the Pyramid Of Power. A heart piece can be found nearby, which many players miss on their first outing.
Head down the steps while staying to the right, especially when the staircase splits in two. You can jump down off the ledge and skim your way around the side of the Pyramid to locate the heart piece.
9 The Lake Of Ill Omen
Some gamers are genuinely intimidated by a warning sign present in the northeast (where Zora’s Waterfall resides in the Light World), which stands near a circle of stones in the water.
The sign warns the player not to throw anything in, which obviously means they should, immediately. Doing so will reward the player with the Quake Medallion, which can be used throughout their journey as a powerful offensive weapon that drains a lot of magic.
8 The Bombos Medallion
To acquire the Bombos Medallion, one must exercise some attention to detail, most notably in the southwestern part of the Dark World. Navigating around this area should lead to a set of stakes in the ground that are laid out in a very particular pattern.
Stepping within these stakes and using the Magic Mirror will transport Link back to the Light World, where he can access a stone tablet that contains the Bombos Medallion power.
7 The Magic Cape
Many gamers flat-out forget this particular secret, but it’s a valuable one. In the Dark World graveyard, you will see a pile of stones in the northeast corner, similar to a tombstone that would normally be situated there in the Light World.
Standing within this area and using the Magic Mirror will transport Link to the Light World, behind the unmovable stones that would regularly block his path. Once there, the player can dash into the tombstone by starting the dash animation, then quickly turning north before he sprints. Inside is a chest containing the Magic Cape, which makes Link immune to damage, at the cost of magic.
6 Another Piece Of Heart
To the northeast of the Dark World lies a cave blocked by a large boulder, and a sign next to it which mentions a heart piece for anyone who wears the cape. This is a direct reference to the Magic Cape on this list.
Pulling the boulder away and entering the cave reveals a narrow passageway with a large bumper blocking the player’s path. Since the Magic Cape nullifies the effects of traps, this bumper is no longer an obstacle. Simply wear the Cape and walk right through it to find the piece of heart outside.
5 The Village Of Outcasts
Most players will enter the house in the Village of Outcasts containing a Treasure Chest game, but some aren’t aware that a heart piece is up for grabs. The location of the piece is entirely randomized, which means the player needs to keep paying 30 rupees to find it.
This game differs from earlier versions in that it offers the player two chests to open instead of just one, effectively doubling the chance to find the heart.
4 The Tempered Sword
Near the southern exit of the Village of Outcasts is a froglike man trapped behind a set of super-heavy stones. If the player has acquired the Titan Mitt after defeating Blind the Thief in the village’s dungeon, these stones can be lifted, freeing the froglike man.
It doesn’t end there, however. Using the Magic Mirror to transport back to the Light World will change the froglike man’s form into a dwarven swordsmith. Reuniting him with his Light World counterpart will open up the option to have them upgrade the Master Sword to the Tempered Sword. This is one secret no gamer should pass up, as it drastically improves Link’s chances of survival.
3 The Cane Of Byrna
Another valuable item that many gamers pass up is the Cane of Byrna, which can be found in the Dark World’s version of Death Mountain. Enter the Dark World via the Spectacle Rock portal in the Light World, and drop down from a small gap just to the south. The player will land on a small outgrowth with a cave entrance.
Once inside the cave, the player will be met with moles and spikes. Once the moles have been hammered down, use the Magic Cape to traverse the spikes without taking any damage. At the end is a large stone that can be lifted with the Titan Mitt, and a chest containing the Cane of Byrna, which fires up an energy field around Link, protecting him from damage, whilst dealing it out to his foes.
2 Another Heart Piece
One easily overlooked heart piece resides in the Light World, and it can only be reached via the Dark World. Inside the Swamp of Evil, the player will notice a small cutout in the northeastern portion that looks an awful lot like an outgrowth in the Light World.
Using the Magic Mirror will transport Link on top of this outgrowth, which is the only way to access the underground cave system. Once inside, a simple block puzzle is all that stands between the player and another heart piece.
1 The Golden Sword
Most players know that in order to defeat Ganon, they must acquire Silver Arrows by using a Super Bomb on the cracked entrance at the foot of the Pyramid Of Power. This bomb can be purchased in an item shop situated in that Dark World where Link’s house would normally be.
Once the player has acquired the Silver Arrows, they might think that’s all there is to it. However, if they toss the Tempered Sword into the fairy’s pool, it will be upgraded a second time, to the Golden Sword. As before, this is a secret no gamer wants to pass up.
NEXT: 10 Zelda Fan Games Every Nintendo Fan Should Know About
