Your progress
Skulltulas
Hearts
Golden tips
read these before leaving the Kokiri ForestSave often
The 3DS version lets you save from the pause menu almost anywhere — you don’t need to find a save point like in the original N64 release.
Listen to Navi
When Navi flashes yellow over an object or enemy, target it with C-up: there’s almost always a hint, a key item, or a boss weakness behind it.
Get the Stone of Agony as early as you can
It’s the 20-Gold-Skulltula reward and rumbles near secrets — bomb-able cracks, hidden switches, soft soil. Start hunting Skulltulas from Kokiri Forest onward.
Keep a fairy bottled
Catch at least one fairy from a hollow tree or Great Fairy fountain before a hard dungeon — it’s a free automatic revive.
Control the clock with your ocarina
The Sun’s Song instantly flips day and night — use it to skip waiting around, scare off ReDeads, or catch a shop only open at a certain time.
Swap shields before fire
The Deku Shield burns up in lava and fire attacks. Switch to the Hylian Shield (or the Mirror Shield, as adult) before Death Mountain and the Fire Temple.
Start the trading sequence early
Several items in the chain toward Biggoron’s Sword spoil within minutes or in-game hours. Check the Sidequests page as soon as you have the adult Ocarina and plan your route.
Never run out of Bombchus
Buy them at Bombchu Bowling (Castle Town) and from the night-time traveling merchant in Kokiri Forest — they’re the only way to hit certain distant switches and eyes.