The Legend of Zelda (NES / Famicom) Walkthrough, Secrets & Cheat Codes

1Game Basics

An open-world action-adventure where you explore screen-by-screen, fight monsters, and collect the Triforce pieces to rescue Princess Zelda.

2Core Gameplay

You roam a top-down overworld of secret caves (bomb or burn bushes to reveal them), dive into nine dungeons, and manage hearts, rupees and items like the Boomerang, Bow and Recorder. The map is non-linear — you choose the order of many objectives.

3Step-by-Step Walkthrough

1. Buy the Wooden Sword from the old man in the first cave (you need 200+ rupees first; grind bushes/enemies).
2. At 5+ hearts, get the White Sword in the graveyard cave.
3. At full 16 hearts, get the Magical Sword from the left-most dead-end screen.
4. Use the Recorder to warp between key overworld points and reveal hidden paths.
5. Clear all 9 dungeons, assemble the Triforce, and defeat Ganon.

4Hidden Secrets & Easter Eggs

Bombing specific innocent-looking rocks and burning certain bushes reveals shops, hearts and shortcuts. After you win, rename your file 'ZELDA' (or start a new game post-clear) to play the Second Quest — a mirrored, enemies-tougher version.

5Cheats & Codes

The game has no universal cheat code, but the Second Quest is the built-in 'new game plus'. On emulators, save states make heart-grinding painless.

6Player Reviews & Tips

Players praise its freedom and secret density, and the Second Quest is consistently called the best replay incentive of its era.