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Level 2: Swamp Palace
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Level 2: Swamp Palace

Guide to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Swamp Palace, including how to get the Map, Compass, and Small Keys.

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Guide to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Swamp Palace, including how to get the Map, Compass, and Small Keys.

  • 12 hearts in Life Meter (including 16 Pieces of Heart)
  • Master Sword (Lv. 2)
  • Red Shield (Lv. 2)
  • Green Jerkin (Lv. 1)
  • Pegasus Boots
  • Power Glove
  • Zora's Flippers
  • Moon Pearl
  • Bow & Arrows
  • Magical Boomerang
  • Bombs
  • Magic Powder
  • Ice Rod
  • Bombos Medallion
  • Quake Medallion
  • Lamp
  • Magic Hammer
  • Flute
  • Bug Catching Net
  • Book of Mudora
  • 3 Bottles
  • Magic Mirror
  • 1 Crystal
Walkthrough
  1. 1
    If you have drained the Swamp Ruins in the Light World, the waterway will be flooded. Swim to the northwest ledge.
  2. 2
    Move past the Blade Trap into the shallow water and defeat the three Water Tektites.
  3. 3
    Defeat all three Water Tektites to make a chest appear containing Small Key #1.
  4. 4
    Use Small Key #1 to unlock the door and head downstairs to B1.
  5. 5
    In the next room, bomb the west wall in the northern part of the room and go through.
  6. 6
    Open the chest to get the Map.
  7. 7
    Return to the previous room. Lift the southernmost skull while dodging Medusa fireballs and Kyamerons to pick up Small Key #2.
  8. 8
    Unlock the west door in the southern portion of the room.
  9. 9
    In the next room, take the steps down into the empty waterway, then enter the north door.
  10. 10
    Lift the skull on the other side to find Small Key #3 and return to the previous room.
  11. 11
    Climb up the other set of steps in this room and unlock the door heading north.
  12. 12
    Use the Magic Hammer to pound the Moles here and then get on the east side of the lever and push it west. This will cause the waterway in this room and the adjoining room to fill with water.
  13. 13
    Go south, hop in the water, swim west, and then haul yourself up. Take the west door.
  14. 14
    Head immediately through the south door of the hub room.
  15. 15
    In this narrow corridor, go east, defeat enemies, and lift the skull here if you need a Heart.
  16. 16
    Proceed south to the next narrow room, fight enemies, and follow the path as it loops around back north.
  17. 17
    Back in the previous room, you will now be on the west side of the corridor and can access the chest in the northwest corner, containing the Compass.
  18. 18
    Push aside the nearby block and return north to the hub room.
  19. 19
    Back in the hub room, take the steps onto the southwest ledge and enter the door there.
  20. 20
    Head down the steps and into the next room to the north, where you can lift a skull to find Small Key #4.
  21. 21
    Backtrack to the hub room, and this time make your way to the northwest part of the room and unlock the door heading west.
  22. 22
    Strike the Crystal Switch with the Boomerang to lower the blue blocks.
  23. 23
    Activate the lever beyond the blue blocks to flood the waterway here.
  24. 24
    Return to the hub room and go back through the southwest door.
  25. 25
    Jump into the waterway, swim to the steps on the other side, and hop out.
  26. 26
    Go west and head down the steps.
  27. 27
    The blocks in the shallow water here can be moved; push them aside, starting with the south block.
  28. 28
    Climb the steps and go upstairs to 1F.
Tips
  • Water Tektites are easily dispatched with the sword.
  • Kyamerons spawn from a fixed point in water and fly around before dispersing; they can be slashed away with one hit but respawn (be brought back to life at a checkpoint after death) infinitely.
  • Red Zols emerge from shadows and are weak, their only advantage being surprise.
  • The Winder and Yomo Medusa are invulnerable. The Yomo Medusa shoots fireballs when you swing your sword.
  • Pirogusu are fish-like foes that drop from holes and shoot straight toward Link at considerable speed; they are easy to defeat with the sword but respawn infinitely.
  • Throw skulls at enemies like Blue and Red Stalfos and Blue Bari to make it easier to defeat them.
  • Before leaving the room with the Crystal Switch, hit it again to turn it back to red and raise the blue blocks again.
  • Most of the skulls in the southern part of the room on 1F contain Hearts.

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