Table of Contents

  1. Definition
  2. Version differences
  3. Options to play
  4. First steps
  5. Route
  6. Dungeonless Summary

Definition

This route is related to my own variation of the community-accepted 100% category. It is not a tutorial, but it may become one in the future. Here we’ll discuss the differences.

To begin with, the community version of the category is what is considered “No Major Glitches” while this is a “True Glitchless” category. In practice, this means that three tricks used in the community category are not allowed in this one, which are exclusive to the first release of the game.

  • Superspeed - you put Link into a glitched state with a timed use of the Pegasus Boots as you release a spin attack, then touch a staircase to drastically increase Link’s speed until he changes screen or falls off a cliff. This is used frequently.
  • Fake Flippers - you fall into the water without flippers and then immediately touch a screen transition. The “splash” animation is what actually checks for the flippers, and this skips that animation allowing you to swim without the flippers. This is used once in the community category currently.
  • Item Dash - by pressing the Y and A buttons simultaneously, dash while holding out an item with its effect active. Only works for certain items like the Hammer.

I choose to exclude these to keep in the “spirit” of glitchless, as I’ll just run glitched when I want to use glitches, but if this appeals to you, you can choose to learn these and apply these to the run. You would then be running a community category from their category extensions leaderboard.

Additionally, I choose to collect some things that the community category does not collect, to stay consistent for my full series marathon with other games. Below is a table that compares with the community category so you can make an informed choice about what you want to run. This tutorial should mostly function to transition afterwards to the community variant, however there are significant route differences.

Requirement “NMG” “True”
Maps, Compasses, Big Keys ❌ ✅
All “Start” Menu Items Final Upgrades ✅ ✅
All “Start” Menu Items Intermediate Upgrades ❌ ✅
Bomb and Arrow Capacity Upgrades ❌ ✅
Maximum (20) Heart Containers ✅ ✅

Of these differences, Intermediate Upgrades simply means collecting the Blue Boomerang in Hyrule Castle - NMG skips this and obtains the Red Boomerang later on its own - and the Blue Mail in Dungeon 5. Capacity Upgrades require collecting an additional 1.400 rupees over the course of the run, which affects when to do Ice Palace in the route. Maps and compasses require minor detours in most dungeons.

An additional note not covered here, however in most non-glitched Link to the Past categories from both its community and myself, “Save and Quit” and then reloading a save is typically not allowed.

Version differences

  • PAL vs. NTSC - PAL is much slower than NTSC and is extremely not recommended. Thankfully most virtual console releases are of the NTSC version.
  • Japanese vs. English - Japanese text is significantly faster overall, but it only saves about 1 minute. Run on whatever you want as this is unlikely to matter and the English text might help with memory on your first few runs. If you’re planning on playing on hardware however, read on.
  • 1.0 vs. later revisions - This route document is for a personal speedrun category I’ve deemed to be Glitchless, however the speedrun community for Zelda 3 actually runs a category called No Major Glitches, which allows a few minor primarily movement based glitches. If you want to “graduate” as it were from this written guide to the community’s category, you must get the original japanese 1.0 cartridge. Several of the minor glitches used - that save a lot of time - are exclusive to this version of the game. The cartridges cost about the same as of time of writing.
  • GBA vs. SNES - The Game Boy Advance version is actually considered its own game seperate, as it’s generally uncomparable due to changes. This route does work for this version, but please be aware that the Ice Palace has changes that require a bomb jump not covered in this guide. I will write a tutorial on this version, however it will cover a 100% run including Four Swords.
  • BS-X vs SNES - In this version, when you defeat a boss, you are able to use your “Y” button item. It appears to be primarily based on the second revision - commonly referred to as "1.2" in speedrunning circles - meaning it is unsuited to the community categories. It is the fastest version for "true" glitchless other than playing the GBA release, but it comes with major caveats. To begin with, to play this on original hardware, that is to say, an original satellaview, you are limited to 5 playthroughs before it is rendered unplayable. Additionally, the hardware itself is incredibly expensive, the Satellaview itself running upwards of 380.000CLP, whereas I'm unable to find listings for a cartridge with it altogether. I am unaware of homebrew tools to circumvent this, but I would imagine they do exist. With a SD2SNES or FX Pak Pro flashcart - which are the same device merely rebranded - you are able to play the original broadcast indefinitely, as it has been preserved. Please consider your local laws with regards to downloading copyrighted content - while where I live it's permitted, your situation may be different.

Options to play

With that out of the way, these are your options for hardware to play on:

  • Emulator - an emulator like BSNES or higan is the most accessible way to play provided you can source a ROM of the game. The main downsides of this is inauthentic audio and visual - which may be an upside to some - and slight input delay which may be more noticeable to some.
  • SNES/Super Famicom - the way to play the original release of the game. If you do not own a CRT television, it’s possible your LCD TV may result in unacceptable amounts of input lag, which means either purchasing a CRT television - which are increasingly rarer - or an upscaler like the RetroTINK. This also may require purchasing a cartridge or flashcart.
  • Nintendo Wii - this version is unfortunately no longer available for purchase, so this will require piracy and a modified system. This version will be on the latest revision but works well enough.
  • Nintendo Wii U - I haven’t actually played the Wii U version of the SNES virtual console, and have heard its input delay is quite bad - however this may only apply to the N64 and not SNES. However, even if that is the case, with a modified Wii U you can install the Wii version of Link to the Past, which will work fine.
  • Nintendo 3DS - this version is not recommended if you wish to record your gameplay, as with software streaming methods the SNES virtual console does not run in a playable state. However, this version sports lower input delay than all other virtual console releases and if you just want to run the game for yourself, is completely suitable. If you’re one of the lucky few with access to a 3DS capture card, this becomes by far the best way to play the game outside of the original hardware. Requires piracy.
  • Nintendo Switch - probably the most likely to be accessible to people reading this, and still available from the manufacturer. However, it does require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which may be unpalatable to some.

All versions unfortunately have some form of drawback. Choose the best one for your situation.

First Steps

Before using the route, you need to have played Link to the Past at least once. I am assuming you have. Additionally, you should watch a run of the game to get some of an idea of the movement, and before your first real attempt, you should give the route a run through.

It is very important to note that this is, first and foremost, a route document, not a tutorial. However, this being a glitchless run with few tricks, it should suffice.

Route

Light World

  • do escape, collecting Blue Boomerang, Lantern and Heart Container (1/1)
    • collect the Map in the room with the first blue guard
  • walk directly to Eastern Palace
  • clear Eastern Palace collecting the Bow and 190+ Rupees
    • turn right at the second fork to collect the Compass
    • open the chest in the room after the Stalfos room for the Map
  • head west to Sahasrahla to receive Pegasus Boots
  • collect 100 Rupees, 3 Bombs
  • travel to Kakariko Village and collect the Book of Mudora
  • travel to Desert Palace and collect the Power Glove and 2 Pieces of Heart (2/24)
    • northeasternmost door on north wall for Small Key
    • northern room for Map
    • southeast for Compass and Big Key
    • collect Power Glove, leave west exit and collect Piece of Heart
  • collect Piece of Heart (3/24) from dash rocks on way to Death Mountain
  • collect Magic Mirror and Piece of Heart (4/24) on way to Tower of Hera
  • collect Moon Pearl and clear Tower of Hera
    • collect the Small Key down the western stairs
    • collect the Map in the main foyer, head down the keydoor stairs
    • collect the Big Key at the end of the next section
    • collect the Compass in the large room with moldorms
    • hit the star and fall down the hole in the middle of the room from the top to collect the Moon Pearl
  • collect descent Piece of Heart (5/24), Mushroom, and the Master Sword
  • get bush Piece of Heart (6/24)
  • clear Hyrule Castle Tower and enter the Dark World

LET’S PLAY MONEY MAKING GAME

  • collect pyramid Piece of Heart (7/24)
  • clear Palace of Darkness and collect Hammer and 270+ rupees
    • go right at fork and follow path to Map and Small Key through left bomb wall, mirror
    • go left at fork and collect Small Key
    • go through the middle path
    • go left and fall down the bomb floor, then north to collect the Big Key
    • fall down, hit pot switch and collect Small Key, mirror
    • return to foyer, right, collect Small Key, up to key door
    • Right First, collect Compass, down stairs for 270 rupees and Small Key
    • left to maze, collect Magic Hammer, mirror
    • left at main foyer, go right, pot switch in top right, continue to boss (straight path)s
  • collect 380 rupees from the Southern Dark World cave
  • get the Flute from the grove and the Piece of Heart (8/24) from Southern Hill Cave
  • get the Digging Minigame and Maze Pieces of Heart (10/24)
  • get the Bottle (1/4), Net, and awaken the duck
  • flute to #8 and get Ice Rod
  • flute to #4 and travel through gate to Dark World
  • drop off Mushroom at Witch’s House
  • collect Quake from Christopher the Water Gopher.
  • buy Flippers from King Zora and collect domain Piece of Heart (11/24)
  • collect Magic Boomerang and Large Shield from Waterfall of Wishing
  • flute to #2 to collect Magic Powder
  • flute to #8 to collect 340 rupees from South Moldorm Cave
  • get 70 arrows from Hylia Island Fountain and collect Bottle(2/4) from Harold the Hobo.
  • flute to #3, buy Bottle (3/4), collect two Pieces of Heart (13/24), and 160+ rupees
  • Dark World Portal
  • get Chest Game Piece of Heart (14/24)
  • collect southeast 300 rupees chest depending on rupee count - need 810 rupees for the rest of the run

The Dungeon Rush

  • clear Thieves Town and obtain the Titan’s Mitt
    • collect Map in first room
    • collect Compass in southeast room
    • collect Big Key to west
    • finish up - rest of dungeon is a straight path with a single detour for the bomb floor
  • collect eastern house 300 rupee chest
  • meet Carolyn the Dwarf
  • collect Pegging Piece of Heart (15/24)
  • take Carolyn to their partner and leave behind the sword
  • meet Chad the Purple Chest and collect 1/2 Magic and the Tempered Sword
  • flute to #7 and have Mario unlock the chest to collect Bottle (4/4)
  • flute to #7 and travel to the Dark World
  • collect Bombos
  • collect Flood Gate Piece of Heart (16/24)
  • clear Swamp Palace and collect Hookshot
    • bomb first bomb wall and collect Map
    • continue to main foyer, go south and collect Compass
    • fall in northeast hole at the big firebar room
    • collect Big Key
    • return to main foyer, collect Small Key on right ledge, continue north
    • left door on right side
    • north at fork
    • second waterfall from right
    • collect Small Key in northeast pot, continue to boss
  • collect Hylia Islet Piece of Heart (17/24) and flute to #3
  • clear Skull Woods and collect the Fire Rod
    • fall down first hole, collect Compass and leave through door
    • northwest to alternate entrance, go north and collect Big Key, mirror
    • fall down bush hole, bomb wall, collect Fire Rod, mirror
    • south to collect Map, leave dungeon
    • alternate entrance
    • west all the way, northwest pot for Small Key, leave
    • enter final section, linear path to boss
  • flute to #1 and travel to the Dark World
  • collect Cane of Byrna from Spronkly Cave
  • collect Ether from the spot from the end of Ancient Stone Tablets
  • flute to #6 and collect Western Mire Cave Piece of Heart (18/24)
  • clear Misery Mire and collect the Cane of Somaria
    • collect Small Key from northeast door on north wall in main foyer
    • enter southeast keydoor and kill blue bari for Small Key, hit switch, go through keydoor
    • light torches and collect Compass from room above
    • head south and up stairs, light torches, collect Big Key
    • don’t go through key door, go right and to southeast main foyer door along east wall, collect Cane of Somaria
    • collect Map in next room
    • collect Small Key in northwest pot in next room, north and west
    • continue to boss
  • collect Desert Hill Piece of Heart (19/24)
  • flute to #8, collect 50 Bombs
  • travel to the Dark World and clear the Ice Palace and obtain the Blue Clothes
    • south Jellyfish for Small Key
    • south door at crossroads, collect Compass
    • north door at crossroads
    • third Jellyfish for Small Key
    • north door and fall down
    • door to right
    • collect Small Key underneath big rock, pull tongue and press switch under southwesternmost pot and collect Map
    • collect Big Key, make your way back to first big spike trap room
    • west door, bomb cracked floor, collect the Blue Clothes
    • north keydoor in rock room, use Cane of Somaria to skip the puzzle, southwest hole.
  • flute to #4 and travel to the Dark World.
  • purchase Big Bomb
  • collect Golden Sword and Silver Arrows
  • collect Magic Cape from King’s Grave
  • collect Piece of Heart (20/24) from Graveyard Ledge
  • collect Dark Death Mountain Base Piece of Heart (21/24)
  • collect Lumberjack Piece of Heart (22/24)
  • flute to #1

Finishing Up

  • pegs from right to left
  • clear Turtle Rock and obtain the Mirror Shield and Piece of Heart (23/24)
    • southwest door in main foyer for Compass
    • northeast eastern door for Map and Small Key
    • northwest door, kill the stack for Small Key
    • push southwest pushblock for Small Key
    • first pipe, stack for Small Key
    • collect Big Key, second pipe
    • south door
    • west door
    • collect Piece of Heart (23/24) on ledge of second entrance
    • collect the Mirror Shield
    • north and finish dungeon
  • collect the Death Mountain Sky Ledge Piece of Heart (24/24)
  • clear Ganon’s Tower and collect the Red Clothes
    • left stairs
    • Small Key, left
    • right pot for Small Key
    • southeast door for Map
    • continue to invisible floors room
      • southeast pot in double switch room for Small Key
    • northeast
    • bomb southeast floor
    • north for Big Key
    • continue for Red Clothes
    • mirror, right staircase
    • southwest cane switch, skip floor tile room, head south
    • northwest chest for Compass, mirror
    • center stairs, continue to Agahnim
    • destroy Ganon, collect the Triforce

Dungeonless Summary

The above, with the dungeon notes removed.

Light World

  • do escape, collecting Blue Boomerang, Lantern and Heart Container (1/1)
  • walk directly to Eastern Palace
  • clear Eastern Palace collecting the Bow and 190+ Rupees
  • head west to Sahasrahla to receive Pegasus Boots
  • collect 100 Rupees, 3 Bombs
  • travel to Kakariko Village and collect the Book of Mudora
  • travel to Desert Palace and collect the Power Glove and 2 Pieces of Heart (2/24)
  • collect Piece of Heart (3/24) from dash rocks on way to Death Mountain
  • collect Magic Mirror and Piece of Heart (4/24) on way to Tower of Hera
  • collect Moon Pearl and clear Tower of Hera
  • collect descent Piece of Heart (5/24), Mushroom, and the Master Sword
  • get bush Piece of Heart (6/24)
  • clear Hyrule Castle Tower and enter the Dark World

LET’S PLAY MONEY MAKING GAME

  • collect pyramid Piece of Heart (7/24)
  • clear Palace of Darkness and collect Hammer and 270+ rupees
  • collect 380 rupees from the Southern Dark World cave
  • get the Flute from the grove and the Piece of Heart (8/24) from Southern Hill Cave
  • get the Digging Minigame and Maze Pieces of Heart (10/24)
  • get the Bottle (1/4), Net, and awaken the duck
  • flute to #8 and get Ice Rod
  • flute to #4 and travel through gate to Dark World
  • drop off Mushroom at Witch’s House
  • collect Quake from Christopher the Water Gopher.
  • buy Flippers from King Zora and collect domain Piece of Heart (11/24)
  • collect Magic Boomerang and Large Shield from Waterfall of Wishing
  • flute to #2 to collect Magic Powder
  • flute to #8 to collect 340 rupees from South Moldorm Cave
  • get 70 arrows from Hylia Island Fountain and collect Bottle(2/4) from Harold the Hobo.
  • flute to #3, buy Bottle (3/4), collect two Pieces of Heart (13/24), and 160+ rupees
  • Dark World Portal
  • get Chest Game Piece of Heart (14/24)
  • collect southeast 300 rupees chest depending on rupee count - need 810 rupees for the rest of the run

The Dungeon Rush

  • clear Thieves Town and obtain the Titan’s Mitt
  • collect eastern house 300 rupee chest
  • meet Carolyn the Dwarf
  • collect Pegging Piece of Heart (15/24)
  • take Carolyn to their partner and leave behind the sword
  • meet Chad the Purple Chest and collect 1/2 Magic and the Tempered Sword
  • flute to #7 and have Mario unlock the chest to collect Bottle (4/4)
  • flute to #7 and travel to the Dark World
  • collect Bombos
  • collect Flood Gate Piece of Heart (16/24)
  • clear Swamp Palace and collect Hookshot
  • collect Hylia Islet Piece of Heart (17/24) and flute to #3
  • clear Skull Woods and collect the Fire Rod
  • flute to #1 and travel to the Dark World
  • collect Cane of Byrna from Spronkly Cave
  • collect Ether from the spot from the end of Ancient Stone Tablets
  • flute to #6 and collect Western Mire Cave Piece of Heart (18/24)
  • clear Misery Mire and collect the Cane of Somaria
  • collect Desert Hill Piece of Heart (19/24)
  • flute to #8, collect 50 Bombs
  • travel to the Dark World and clear the Ice Palace and obtain the Blue Clothes
  • flute to #4 and travel to the Dark World.
  • purchase Big Bomb
  • collect Golden Sword and Silver Arrows
  • collect Magic Cape from King’s Grave
  • collect Piece of Heart (20/24) from Graveyard Ledge
  • collect Dark Death Mountain Base Piece of Heart (21/24)
  • collect Lumberjack Piece of Heart (22/24)
  • flute to #1

Finishing Up

  • pegs from right to left
  • clear Turtle Rock and obtain the Mirror Shield and Piece of Heart (23/24)
  • collect the Death Mountain Sky Ledge Piece of Heart (24/24)
  • clear Ganon’s Tower and collect the Red Clothes
  • destroy Ganon, collect the Triforce