Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Heart Container Acquisition Guide

Acquire all eight permanent Heart Containers in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link to increase Link's life meter and survive Hyrule's challenges.

·Multi-source verified (110/110)

Heart Container Acquisition Guide

Maximizing Link's health is paramount for surviving the perilous journey through Hyrule. Heart Containers permanently increase your life meter by one heart, providing a crucial advantage against the game's increasingly difficult enemies and bosses. There are a total of eight Heart Containers scattered across the land, separate from the Heart Containers awarded after defeating each Palace boss. This guide will detail the precise locations and methods for acquiring each of these invaluable upgrades.

North Palace Heart Container

This is likely the first Heart Container you'll encounter, and it's practically handed to you. It's an excellent early boost to your survivability.

  • Location: Inside the North Palace, the very first area you explore after waking up.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. From the starting room where Princess Zelda sleeps, head right.
    2. Continue right through the next screen.
    3. You will enter a room with a single Heart Container prominently displayed. Simply walk into it to collect it.

Cave East of Tantari Desert Heart Container

This Heart Container requires a bit of exploration and navigating a small cave system.

  • Location: In a hidden cave located directly east of the Tantari Desert, before you reach the Water Town of Saria.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. Travel east from the starting area, past the Tantari Desert.
    2. Look for a small, inconspicuous cave entrance on the overworld map, nestled in the mountains before Saria.
    3. Enter the cave. Navigate through the straightforward path, defeating any enemies you encounter.
    4. The Heart Container will be visible towards the end of the cave.

Death Mountain Heart Container

Death Mountain is a treacherous area, and this Heart Container is found within one of its many caves. Be prepared for tough enemies.

  • Location: Deep within a cave on Death Mountain. This cave is often referred to as the "Hammer Cave" due to the item found within.
  • Prerequisite: You will need the Hammer to access this Heart Container. The Hammer is found in a different section of Death Mountain, requiring you to navigate through various caves and defeat the boss of the Maze Island Palace.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. Once you have the Hammer, locate the cave entrance on Death Mountain that leads to the Hammer's location.
    2. From the room where you obtained the Hammer, head left.
    3. You will find a large boulder blocking your path. Use the Hammer to smash the boulder.
    4. Proceed past the destroyed boulder, and the Heart Container will be waiting for you.

Island Palace Area Heart Container

This Heart Container is located on the island where the Island Palace resides, but it's not inside the palace itself.

  • Location: On the overworld map of the island containing the Island Palace.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. Travel to the island where the Island Palace is located.
    2. Instead of entering the palace, explore the surrounding overworld area of the island.
    3. Look for a small, isolated patch of forest or a single tree that stands out.
    4. Walk over this specific spot on the overworld map. Link will automatically enter a hidden screen containing the Heart Container.

Eastern Hyrule Heart Container (Near the Great Palace)

As you approach the final challenges, this Heart Container provides a much-needed boost.

  • Location: In Eastern Hyrule, near the vicinity of the Great Palace.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. Head towards the Great Palace in Eastern Hyrule.
    2. Before reaching the palace entrance, explore the surrounding forest areas on the overworld map.
    3. There is a specific screen transition point in the forest that leads to a hidden area.
    4. Locate this hidden screen, and the Heart Container will be present.

Maze Island Heart Container

This Heart Container is found on Maze Island itself, separate from the palace located there.

  • Location: On the overworld map of Maze Island.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. Travel to Maze Island.
    2. Carefully navigate the overworld map of the island. The Heart Container is not in a cave or palace.
    3. Look for a specific, seemingly ordinary square on the overworld map. Walking over it will trigger a hidden screen.
    4. This hidden screen will contain the Heart Container.

Swamp Palace Area Heart Container

Located near the Swamp Palace, this Heart Container can be a bit tricky to spot.

  • Location: On the overworld map, in the swampy region surrounding the Swamp Palace.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. Navigate to the area of the Swamp Palace.
    2. Explore the swamp tiles on the overworld map.
    3. One particular swamp tile, when walked upon, will transport Link to a hidden screen containing the Heart Container. Pay close attention to the environment for any subtle distinctions.

Hidden Cave Heart Container (Eastern Hyrule)

This final Heart Container is well-hidden and requires keen observation.

  • Location: In a secret cave in Eastern Hyrule, often overlooked due to its subtle entrance.
  • Walkthrough:
    1. In Eastern Hyrule, look for a seemingly impassable mountain range.
    2. There is a very small, almost invisible cave entrance hidden within the mountain wall. It blends in exceptionally well with the background.
    3. Once you locate and enter this secret cave, the Heart Container will be inside.