The Legend of Zelda Cheat Codes & Secrets
Complete collection of cheat codes, passwords, unlockables, and hidden secrets for The Legend of Zelda (1986).
The Legend of Zelda Cheat Codes & Secrets
Second Quest: ZELDA Name Trick
Enter ZELDA as your character name at the start of a new game to immediately access the Second Quest — a remixed, harder version with rearranged dungeons — without completing the first quest.
Second Quest Differences
- All nine dungeons completely rearranged with different layouts
- Enemies are more aggressive
- Item locations changed throughout
- Death Mountain final dungeon has new layout
Overworld Secrets
Burn the Bushes: Use the candle to burn specific bushes to reveal hidden staircases leading to shops, hint rooms, or dungeon entrances.
Push Gravestones: Push specific gravestones in the graveyard to reveal hidden entrances.
Bomb the Walls: Many dungeon and overworld walls reveal hidden passages when bombed.
Rupee Farming
Efficient early Rupee farming: Enter any dungeon screen with blue Rupees, kill enemies, exit and re-enter to respawn. Level 2’s lower floors have many easy enemies.
The Recorder/Whistle
The recorder teleports Link to various dungeon entrances on the overworld, cycling through locations with each use. Also temporarily stops Manhandla from regenerating.
Level 9 (Death Mountain) Critical Tips
- Silver Arrows are required to defeat Ganon — regular arrows will NOT work
- The Silver Arrows are found inside Death Mountain before reaching Ganon
- Ganon is invisible during the final battle — use Silver Arrows when you see his shadow
Continue After Game Over
The battery-backed save system automatically saves when you die or quit. You always resume from the last time you entered a dungeon or started a new game session.