Gameplay Challenges

Fans of The Legend of Zelda series have come up with alternative Gameplay Challenges, ways of playing and beating Zelda games that go beyond simply getting to and defeating the final boss while accomplishing some number of optional side quests.

Some of these modes of gameplay such as speedruns are not unique to the Zelda series, but a few are, and by playing the games these ways can provide an entirely new playing experience. Below is a summary of some of these different challenges:

General, Non Game-specific Challenges

Speedruns

The object of a speedrun is simply to time how long it takes to complete a game from start to finish. As a form of practice speedrunners often break up the required milestones of the game into segments so that they can time, and improve upon their run through a specific required section of the game. Speedrunning can be conducted in a side-to-side marathon-like session, or simply recorded by an individual as a means to claim a speedrun record. There are several variations on speedrunning, including:

Any% Run

Any% is a category often used in many speedruns. For most Zelda games, this allows the use of virtually any glitch that is available in the game, with a few exceptions. Timing begins at the start of the game and ends when the player completely loses control of the character and the credits begin to roll.

100% Run

See below

With Glitches/Exploits

Several Zelda games have a number of unintended bugs that can be taken advantage of to improve a speedrunning time. For instance, in Ocarina of Time there are several hidden portals, ways to access blocked areas, and in Twilight Princess it is possible to walk at normal speed with the Iron Boots on.

100% Run

Main article: 100% Completion

In a 100% run the player is required to complete all optional sidequests and obtain all items in the game, including heart pieces and other collectables. An 100% run can be completed as a speedrun, or simply completed without any concern over how long it takes (this can require an extensive effort with some Zelda games)

Three Heart Challenge

Main article: Three Heart Challenge

This challenge requires that the player does not obtain any new full Heart Containers that results in Link's total number of hearts exceeding the number he started the game with. This means that the player must not pick up the Heart Containers traditionally left after defeating the dungeon boss. In a game such as The Adventure of Link or Skyward Sword, the player will end with Four Health Bars or Six Heart Containers, as that is what the player began with.

Game Specific Challenges

Six Day Cycle

This Majora's Mask challenge requires that the game is completed within two three-day cycles.

Applicable to:

• Majora's Mask

Shieldless

This challenge can be attempted on any Zelda game which does not require use of the shield.

Applicable to:

• Majora's Mask
• The Wind Waker
• Twilight Princess
• Phantom Hourglass
• Spirit Tracks
• Skyward Sword
• Breath of the Wild

Swordless

This challenge can be attempted on any Zelda game which does not require use of the sword.

Applicable to:

• The Legend of Zelda (original NES game)

Boss Challenges

Ocarina of Time

• Defeat Volvagia (Fire Temple) using the Megaton Hammer only twice
• Defeat Morpha (Water Temple) using only the four central platforms
• Defeat the Iron Knuckles (Spirit Temple) with the Hover Boots on
• Defeat Twinrova (Spirit Temple) with the Hover Boots on
• Reflect Ganondorf's energy ball volleys using Spin Attacks during the first phase of his attack
• Defeat the final phase of Ganon without arrows, and/or without running between his legs

Majora's Mask

• Defeat Woodfall Gekko (Woodfall Temple) using only the Goron and/or Zora Masks
• Defeat Odolwa (Woodfall Temple) using only the Deku, Goron, and/or Zora masks
• Defeat Goht (Snowhead Temple) using only the Blast Mask, Bombs, and/or Bombchus
• Defeat Wart (Great Bay Temple) using only the Deku Mask
• Stun Gyorg (Great Bay Temple) using the Deku or Goron Masks, then attack him with the Zora Mask
• Defeat Igos du Ikana (Ancient Castle of Ikana) while only using three hearts, and without the upgraded sword
• Defeat the Dinolfos Trio (Ikana) using the Zora Mask
• Defeat Gomess (Stone Tower Temple) with only three hearts, using nothing other than Link's sword
• Defeat Twinmold (Stone Tower Temple) using only the Goron Mask and Chateau Romani milk, or using only three hearts
• Defeat Majora using only Link's original, non-upgraded sword, or with only the Goron Mask and Chateau Romani milk, or in only three hearts, or with three hearts and the Fierce Deity's Mask

The Wind Waker

• Defeat Gohdan (Tower of the Gods) using the smallest quiver, without L-Targeting, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Jalhalla (Earth Temple) while wearing the Iron Boots, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Molgera (Wind Temple) while wearing the Iron Boots, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Puppet Ganon (Forsaken Fortress) while wearing the Iron Boots, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Ganon while wearing the Iron Boots, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items

Twilight Princess

• Defeat Fyrus (Goron Mines) while wearing the [Iron Boots]], and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Deku Toad (Lakebed Temple) while wearing the Iron Boots, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Darkhammer (Snowpeak Ruins) while wearing the Iron Boots, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Blizzeta (Snowpeak Ruins) while wearing the Iron Boots and Zora Tunic, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Phantom Zant using only the Spinner with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat King Bulblin (Hyrule Castle) with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, or other healing items
• Defeat Ganon while wearing the Iron Boots, and with only 3-6 Heart Containers and no fairies, potions, other healing items or chance attacks

Skyward Sword

• Complete the Thunder Dragon's Lightning Round without potions
• Complete the Thunder Dragon's Lightning Round without a shield