The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Pastcomplete walkthrough
Complete A Link to the Past walkthrough with every pendant, Dark World crystal, required item, dungeon route, Ganon strategy and full-completion advice.
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Completion
- 12–18 hours
- Route
- 6 chapters · 24 steps
- Reading
- 6 min
Mission briefing
The full route, what to prepare and where every chapter leaves you.
24 actionable steps with a verified finish line after every section.
Follow in order for a first clear, then revisit secrets for completion.
Real game images with descriptive captions and source attribution.
Controls & field techniques
Inputs worth learning before the route starts.
| Input | Action and field note |
|---|---|
| D-pad | Move and aimFace hazards before using directional tools such as the bow or Hookshot. |
| B | Use swordHold to charge a spin attack when enemies approach from multiple sides. |
| Y | Use selected itemKeep the Lantern or Magic Mirror ready when entering unfamiliar rooms. |
| X | Open mapDungeon maps reveal unexplored rooms but not every hidden passage. |
| Start | Open inventorySwitch items from safe ground rather than during enemy attacks. |
Visual reference desk
Chapter-matched gameplay with the exact location, objective, landmark and mistake to avoid.
- OBJECTIVE
- Reach Zelda's cell, then return through the throne-room passage with minimal heart loss.
- LOOK FOR
- Blue guards, the narrow stair lane and doors that lock during combat.
- DO THIS
- Pull one guard into the corridor and use the wall to prevent a second flanking angle.
- AVOID
- Do not stand directly below a guard; the sword's side coverage is safer from an offset.
- OBJECTIVE
- Secure the dungeon keys and progress toward the Hammer without wasting bombs.
- LOOK FOR
- Cracked walls, narrow stair landings and the green jumping enemy near the route split.
- DO THIS
- Clear the enemy first, then place one bomb at the center of the visible crack and step back.
- AVOID
- Do not spend keys on optional branches before confirming the Hammer route.
Authentic gameplay: captures come from the OldGames emulator when available and are checked against credited editorial references when needed. Every frame is assigned only to the chapter it actually depicts. No AI-generated gameplay artwork or recreated mockups are used.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Check each instruction as you play. Progress stays on this device.
Hyrule Castle escape
Answer Zelda's call, enter the castle and reach the Sanctuary.
Zelda safe and the Eastern Palace marked.
-
Step 01
Follow Zelda's message into the storm, lift the marked bush beside Hyrule Castle, and drop through the concealed entrance to collect the sword and shield from Link's uncle.
-
Step 02
Enter the castle basement, defeat the ball-and-chain guard, collect the Big Key, and release Zelda from her cell.
-
Step 03
Lead Zelda to the throne room, push the ornamental shelf from the left, and use the Lantern carefully through the dark sewer route.
-
Step 04
Defeat the sewer rats for keys, avoid falling into deep water, and emerge inside the Sanctuary to receive the next destination.
- OBJECTIVE
- Reach Zelda's cell, then return through the throne-room passage with minimal heart loss.
- LOOK FOR
- Blue guards, the narrow stair lane and doors that lock during combat.
- DO THIS
- Pull one guard into the corridor and use the wall to prevent a second flanking angle.
- AVOID
- Do not stand directly below a guard; the sword's side coverage is safer from an offset.
Zelda safe and the Eastern Palace marked.
Three Pendants of Virtue
Clear Eastern Palace, Desert Palace and Tower of Hera.
All three pendants collected.
-
Step 01
Meet Sahasrahla, enter Eastern Palace, secure the Bow, and use arrows to defeat the Armos Knights for the first pendant.
-
Step 02
Collect the Pegasus Boots from Sahasrahla, dash into the library shelf for the Book of Mudora, and use it to open Desert Palace.
-
Step 03
Find the Power Glove inside Desert Palace, light the final torches, and keep moving around the room's edge while fighting the Lanmolas.
-
Step 04
Escort the lost old man on Death Mountain for the Magic Mirror, cross Spectacle Rock, and clear Tower of Hera - including its Moon Pearl chest - before defeating Moldorm.
All three pendants collected.
Master Sword and Agahnim
Claim the legendary blade and enter the Dark World permanently.
Dark World quest started.
-
Step 01
Return to the Lost Woods with all three pendants and claim the Master Sword from its pedestal.
-
Step 02
Answer Zelda's distress call immediately, check the Sanctuary, and return to Hyrule Castle with the legendary blade.
-
Step 03
Cut through the magical barrier on the castle roof, climb the upper tower, and preserve arrows and magic by relying on the sword where possible.
-
Step 04
Face Agahnim from the center of the room, return his bright energy spheres with sword swings, sidestep the blue projectiles, and move off his vertical line before lightning strikes.
Dark World quest started.
First three crystals
Conquer Palace of Darkness, Swamp Palace and Skull Woods.
Three maidens rescued.
-
Step 01
Carry at least 110 rupees to the Palace of Darkness, pay Kiki to follow Link and open the entrance, then obtain the Magic Hammer before breaking Helmasaur King's mask.
-
Step 02
Secure Zora's Flippers, open the Light World floodgate at the swamp ruins, return through the portal, and use the newly flooded Swamp Palace to reach the Hookshot and Arrghus.
-
Step 03
Enter Skull Woods through its multiple forest openings, treat the overworld pits as part of the dungeon map, and collect the Fire Rod.
-
Step 04
Burn the sealed final entrance, keep moving on Mothula's shifting floor, and use the Fire Rod or controlled sword strikes to rescue the third maiden.
- OBJECTIVE
- Secure the dungeon keys and progress toward the Hammer without wasting bombs.
- LOOK FOR
- Cracked walls, narrow stair landings and the green jumping enemy near the route split.
- DO THIS
- Clear the enemy first, then place one bomb at the center of the visible crack and step back.
- AVOID
- Do not spend keys on optional branches before confirming the Hammer route.
Three maidens rescued.
Final four crystals
Clear Thieves' Town, Ice Palace, Misery Mire and Turtle Rock.
All seven crystals collected.
-
Step 01
In Thieves' Town, bomb the cracked floor above the boss chamber to create a shaft of sunlight, rescue the apparent maiden, and expose Blind beneath that light.
-
Step 02
Enter Ice Palace with reliable fire damage, use the Fire Rod or Bombos against Kholdstare, and solve the final block route for the Blue Mail; the later Cane of Somaria is only an optional shortcut here.
-
Step 03
Cast Ether at Misery Mire's entrance, manage the dungeon's switches and magic drains, and collect the Cane of Somaria before defeating Vitreous.
-
Step 04
Cast Quake to open Turtle Rock, create platforms with the Cane, collect the Mirror Shield, and alternate the Fire and Ice Rods against Trinexx's matching heads.
All seven crystals collected.
Ganon's Tower and final battle
Climb the tower, defeat Agahnim again and finish Ganon.
Triforce restored.
-
Step 01
Use the Super Bomb at the Pyramid's cracked wall, enter the Great Fairy fountain, and offer the bow and tempered sword to obtain the Silver Arrows and Golden Sword.
-
Step 02
Open Ganon's Tower with all seven crystals, explore both basement branches for the Big Key, and use the map to avoid repeating the longest combat rooms.
-
Step 03
Defeat the remixed dungeon bosses, climb the upper gauntlet, and strike the solid Agahnim while using his copies to redirect additional reflected shots.
-
Step 04
Follow Ganon to the Pyramid, survive until the arena darkens, relight both torches, strike when he becomes vulnerable, and fire a Silver Arrow each time he turns blue.
Triforce restored.
Secrets & field notes
Optional knowledge for safer runs and fuller completion.
Parallel-world shortcuts
Use the Magic Mirror on Dark World terrain to reach isolated Light World ledges, then step through the return portal when finished.
Bottle value
Bottles can carry fairies, potions and quest items. Finding them early makes difficult dungeons much safer.
Sword and armor upgrades
The tempered sword, golden sword, blue mail and red mail are optional but dramatically reduce final-dungeon risk.
Questions players ask
Direct answers to common progression blocks.
What is the recommended Dark World dungeon order?
The numbered order works, but several dungeons allow flexibility once you own the Hammer, Hookshot and Titan's Mitt.
Where do I get the Moon Pearl?
It is inside the Tower of Hera on Death Mountain and prevents Link from becoming a helpless form in the Dark World.
Are Silver Arrows required for Ganon?
They are the intended way to finish his final phase after sword strikes make him vulnerable.
EDITORIALLY CHECKED
Sources & editorial method
This walkthrough is independently written for players, checked against the original game and publisher material where available, and updated only when the guide itself changes.
