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The Legend of Zelda is one of the most well-known and well-loved franchises in the history of video games. There are dozens of different games across many consoles. Some of these items are repeated in games, while others may be exclusive to certain games.
Key Points Up Front
Link uses a variety of objects in the Legend of Zelda series. These objects help him with various quests and can be collected throughout the games. These items range from standard weaponry to simple things like clothing and jewelry.
Some of these items are necessary for Link to complete certain challenges, while others may only help provide a better experience in the game world.
Types of Items
Items in the Legend of Zelda games include articles of clothing, weapons, currency, keys, food, and more. This is not an exhaustive list of all items, but it does include the most popular and useful items. Here are some of the most popular items used in the series.
1. Heart Container
These containers exist anywhere there is a heart piece, which exists in many games. This item increases Link’s health by one heart container for every four he collects.
There is no limit to the number of times a Heart Container can be used, but there is a limit to the number of heart containers Link can have on him at one time. In most games, this item will turn into either a heart piece or a full heart.
This item first appeared in the very first video game in the series, The Legend of Zelda. It continues to appear in almost every game.
2. Compass
This item appears in almost every game of the series except for Zelda II: The Adventure of Link and Majora’s Mask. It allows Link to see the location of all secrets on the map, which helps him find anything from heart containers to pieces of treasure he may have missed earlier in his quest.
3. Bow and Arrow
This item is probably one of the more well-known weapons used in the series by both enemies and protagonists alike. It can be used to shoot enemies long-range (in some cases, like Twilight Princess’ bombs, it can even be used to detonate explosives from a distance).
In some games, the bow is only used for attacking, but it may be used to activate certain switches or other devices in others.
It first appeared in the second game in the series, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. It also appears in many more recent games, including Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword.
4. Boomerang
The boomerang is typically an item that allows Link to target up to five enemies or objects at once and return the boomerang to him, allowing him to collect items that would be difficult for Link to reach otherwise or even use it as a weapon.
This item typically appears in the earlier games in the series and is often replaced with newer and more convenient items such as the bow and arrow. However, it does appear in recent titles, most notably Twilight Princess.
This item first appeared in the third game of the series, A Link to the Past. It also appears in many other games in the series.
5. Hookshot/Clawshot
The hookshot/clawshot is an interesting tool that allows Link to propel himself long distances by either grappling onto targets or to pull himself towards certain surfaces. This item is often used to explore previously unreachable areas or can even be used as a weapon in some games, such as Twilight Princess.
This item first appeared in the third game of the series, A Link to the Past. It also appears across many more recent titles, including The Wind Waker and Skyward Sword.
6. Ocarina of Time
This item is the titular ocarina of time, which can be used to play songs that have various effects on Link’s quest, depending on the tune it plays. This item typically must be “played” by pressing buttons in order to get different notes. Still, more recent games allow it to be activated with certain items or simply by pressing a button once.
This item first appeared in the game of the same name, Ocarina of Time. It has made appearances in many other games across most Zelda titles after it introduced this unique item.
7. Bombs
Bombs are probably one of the more well-known tools in the Zelda series. They can be used to destroy enemies and various obstacles, allowing Link to get past unexplored areas or reach new places entirely.
In most games, bombs are activated with a button on the controller and may explode quickly after being thrown. Still, they may be more dangerous in some and take longer to detonate or not explode until Link triggers their detonation.
This item first appeared in the second game in the series, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. It has since made appearances in many other games across nearly all titles.
8. Rupee
This is a currency found almost exclusively in the Legend of Zelda series. In most games, collecting 100 rupees will give Link one additional heart container, but it also has other uses. A Link Between Worlds introduces a special type of rupee that can be used to purchase items at various shops throughout the game.
Rupees made their first appearance in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Since then, they have become one of the most common elements found in games for this series.
9. Pegasus Boots
The Pegasus boots are an item that will allow Link to sprint for a short period of time, allowing him to quickly move across the map in most games. This is typically activated by pressing a certain button on the controller and can be used in conjunction with another item, but some games have different ways of activating it.
This item first appeared in the third game of the series, A Link to the Past. It also appears in a few more recent titles, including The Minish Cap and Twilight Princess.
10. Ocarina of Wind
This is an ocarina that can be used to summon a bird known as a Loftwing. There are no notes on this item, so it is activated by pointing the Wii remote at the screen and pressing a certain button. This is used to navigate an area with many wind currents called the Wind Temple.
The Ocarina of Wind first appeared in The Minish Cap, but it has since made appearances in other games such as Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.
11. Grappling Hook
This item is a grappling hook used to grapple onto certain objects. In The Wind Waker, it can be used as an alternate way of traveling underwater and also as a means of reaching previously inaccessible areas. It appears in other titles such as Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.
The Grappling Hook first appeared in the game The Wind Waker. It has also appeared in several other games, such as Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.
12. Hylian Shield
This is a shield that can be found just about anywhere in Hyrule and offers Link some protection from enemy attacks, but they typically shatter after taking too many blows or immediately when hit with fire or electricity damage.
This item first appeared in the game of the same name, The Legend of Zelda. It has since made appearances in several other games, including A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Breath of the Wild.
13. Iron Boots
These boots will weigh Link down considerably when worn, allowing him to stay grounded when in water or when the boots are activated via certain buttons on the controller.
This item first appeared in A Link to the Past. It has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess.
14. Magic Cape
This is a cape that can be found just about anywhere in Hyrule and offers Link some protection from enemy attacks, but they typically shatter after taking too many blows or immediately when hit with fire or electricity damage. This can be found in Ocarina of Time, along with Majora’s Mask.
This item first appeared in the game of the same name, The Legend of Zelda. It has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask.
15. Bottle
These are one-time use items that can be used to store items such as potions, fairies, or even oil for Link’s lantern.
This item first appeared in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. It has since made appearances in several other games, including A Link Between Worlds, Twilight Princess, and Majora’s Mask.
16. Magic Hammer
This is a hammer that can be found just about anywhere in Hyrule and will allow Link to stun enemies or smash certain objects for an advantage. It does not offer any protection from enemy attacks.
This item first appeared in A Link to the Past. It has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess.
17. Blood Moon
When a Blood Moon rises, all enemies on field will be resurrected no matter their status. This can cause a lot of trouble for players who happen to be far from a sanctuary.
The Blood Moon first appeared in Majora’s Mask. It has since made appearances in several other games, including Twilight Princess and Four Swords Anniversary Edition.
18. Bunny Hood
When Link dons this hood, it will cause animals not to run away when approached and also allows for faster movement during the limited time of day or night.
This item first appeared in Majora’s Mask. It has since made appearances in several other games, including Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time 3D.
19. Deku Nuts
These are items that can be used as early traps or to stun enemies for a short time to make an escape or hit them with another item such as an arrow.
This item first appeared in Ocarina of Time. It has since made appearances in several other games, including Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Phantom Hourglass.
20. Bombos Medallion
When used outside of battle, this handy dandy item will summon a large flash that can kill most enemies instantly while in the battle. It will reduce an enemy’s health by one heart.
This item first appeared in A Link to the Past. It has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time 3D, Twilight Princess, and Four Swords Anniversary Edition.
21. Bombchu
These useful remote-controlled explosives can be used to activate certain switches or hit a faraway enemy, but they can also be destroyed if placed improperly.
It first appeared in Ocarina of Time and has since made appearances in Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, Four Swords Anniversary Edition, Link’s Awakening DX, and Tri Force Heroes.
22. Fishing Rod
This rod gets its own slot because it can be used in more than just fishing. Once an appropriate spot is found, some fish will allow Link to reel them in while others will attack on sight.
It first appeared in Ocarina of Time and has since made appearances in Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, Spirit Tracks, and the Four Swords Anniversary Edition.
23. Fire Rod
This rod will allow Link to shoot a fireball at enemies from a distance or close up if needed. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and the Four Swords Anniversary Edition.
24. Dominion Rod
With this rod, Link can take control of certain statues and other objects to clear a path or do other complex tasks requiring lots of hands. It first appeared in Twilight Princess and has since made appearances in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.
25. Rod of Seasons
With this rod, Link can change the season to solve certain puzzles and make traveling easier when affected by the weather. It first appeared in Oracle of Seasons and has since made appearances in Four Swords Anniversary Edition, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks.
26. Roc’s Feather
This feather allows Link to jump higher and even glide after jumping to cross a great distance. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Four Swords Anniversary Edition, and Tri Force Heroes.
27. Ice Rod
With this rod, Link can freeze enemies or place blocks on certain switches that are only activated by the cold. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time 3D, Twilight Princess, Four Swords Anniversary Edition, Phantom Hourglass, and Tri Force Heroes.
28. Gust Jar
This jar can be used to suck up certain objects or enemies, which can be used for various purposes. It first appeared in The Minish Cap and has since made appearances in Four Swords Anniversary Edition, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Hyrule Warriors.
29. Sand Rod
With this rod, Link can manipulate sand to form certain objects or uncover secrets in the desert. It first appeared in Phantom Hourglass and has since made appearances in Spirit Tracks, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Hyrule Warriors.
30. Stamina Scroll
With this Hyrulean scroll, an extra heart will be added to Link’s total health. It first appeared in Skyward Sword and has since made appearances in A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Hyrule Warriors.
31. Magic Sword
This sword can shoot energy beams and has existed for generations. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time, Four Swords Adventure, Four Swords Anniversary Edition, The Minish Cap, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, and Tri Force Heroes.
32. Roc’s Cape
With this cape, Link can sort of “fly” for a short time if running and jump into the air. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time 3D, Twilight Princess, Four Swords Anniversary Edition, The Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Tri Force Heroes.
33. Masks
Masks have played an important role in many Zelda games and will continue to do so as long as they exist. Some masks can be used to transform Link into another form, such as Deku, Goron, or Zora.
They first appeared in Majora’s Mask and have since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask 3D, The Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
34. Paraglider
This magical wind-gliding cape will allow Link to descend slowly after jumping from high places. It first appeared in The Wind Waker and has since made appearances in Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
35. Hover Boots
With these boots, Link can walk on air for a short time after jumping. They first appeared in A Link to the Past and have since made appearances in several other games, including Ocarina of Time, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
36. Spinner
This spinner can be ridden to travel over special paths. It first appeared in Twilight Princess and has since made appearances in The Legend of Zelda, Spirit Tracks, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
37. The Beetle
This odd bug-like object can be used to collect certain objects, hit switches, grab faraway items, attach to the underside of boats, and fly for a short time.
It first appeared in The Legend of Zelda and has since made appearances in A Link to the Past, Four Swords Adventures, Ocarina of Time 3D, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
38. Mirror Shield
This mirror shield can reflect light onto certain objects to solve puzzles. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in Ocarina of Time, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
39. Ravio’s Bracelet
This bracelet allows Link to “rent” items from Ravio. It first appeared in A Link Between Worlds and has since made appearances in Tri Force Heroes. It’s useful to use when you’re stuck or simply don’t want to bother getting the items yourself.
40. The Sheikah Slate
This is a mysterious tablet that seems to be filled with technology based on Sheikah technology. It has the power to control Runes, take thermal images, create waypoints, and help Link find items hidden around Hyrule. It first appeared in Breath of the Wild but will likely be included in future games as well.
41. The Slingshot
This odd Y-shaped object allows you to shoot seeds as projectiles. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
42. Ice Rods
These rods can shoot ice at enemies to freeze them, but they will eventually break after cracking. They first appeared in A Link to the Past and have since made appearances in Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, A Link Between Worlds, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, The Minish Cap, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
43. Bug Nets
These nets can be used to catch butterflies and other small bugs. They first appeared in A Link to the Past and have since made appearances in Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, The Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
44. Barrels
These wooden containers can hold various items such as rupees or arrows. In early games, they appeared mostly as a way to store items.
They first appeared in A Link to the Past and have since made appearances in Four Swords, The Minish Cap, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
45. Bomb Bags
This bag allows Link to carry Bombchus. They first appeared in The Wind Waker and have since made appearances in Four Swords, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, The Minish Cap, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
46. The Shovel
This odd-shaped object is used to dig in patches of dirt, usually uncovering something. It’s useful when exploring dungeons, caves, and forests.
It first appeared in The Legend of Zelda and has since made appearances in A Link to the Past, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
47. Ball and Chain
This ball and chain can be used to break objects such as pots and jars. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, A Link Between Worlds, Twilight Princess, The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
48. BowWow
This odd pet/minion of Link’s can dig and burrow in dirt patches. It first appeared in the Oracle of Ages and has since made appearances in Four Swords, The Minish Cap, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild
49. Cane of Samaria
This cane creates blocks that can be used to create steps, stop/push objects, or even attack enemies. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has since made appearances in Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, and Breath of the Wild.
50. Magic Spells
This category includes the spells originally assigned to items in previous games. Spells are now equipped like any other item, making the game easier and much less diverse.
Spells first appeared in A Link to the Past and have since made appearances in Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, Twilight Princess, Spirit Tracks, Skyward Sword, A Link Between Worlds, and Breath of the Wild.
FAQs
If you’re interested in the objects and items that Link uses in the Legend of Zelda games, these frequently asked questions will give you some more insight.
Question: What is the Most Common Item Used in The Legend of Zelda Games?
Answer: The bow and arrow is definitely the most common recurring item Link uses. This weapon is very useful to use from a distance and is often needed to solve puzzles, defeat certain enemies, or for various other purposes.
Question: What is Link’s Most Iconic Item?
Answer: While many items could be considered to be an icon of the series, we’re going with the Master Sword. The blade that seals away evil and is known for being able to cut through just about anything has been a part of the series since its earliest days. It first appeared in A Link to the Past and has been a mainstay in the series from that point on.
Question: Where Can I Find These Items?
Answer: In order to play the games, you will need to use your gaming device to purchase them. In some cases, certain shops or merchants sell their wares, but most of the time, you’ll be going after them in the various dungeons you explore. Your new items will be unlocked as you progress through the game and beat the bosses of each dungeon.
Question: What’s in the Future for These Items?
Answer: While we don’t know what may happen in the unforeseeable future, Nintendo continues to release Legend of Zelda games. With so many appearances, it would seem that they will be around for a long time to come.
Final Thoughts
While the items in the Legend of Zelda games have changed since their introduction, there are certain staples that have remained throughout.
The bow and arrow are definitely one of these, with their usefulness being clear from the very beginning. If you’re interested in seeing what all Link can use, be sure to check out some of the video games in the series.
Continue reading more about Zelda’s objects:
- Silent Princess Guide
- Rubber Armor BOTW Guide
- Barbarian Set BOTW Guide – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Zora Helm Guide
- Sheikah Slate Guide
- Tears of the Kingdom Bubbel Gems Guide: How to Find Bubbel Gems Quickly
- Tears of the Kingdom Wingsuit Guide: How to Unlock No Fall Damage
- Tears of the Kingdom Amiibo Unlocks: Fierce Deity Link, Epona, More