A Link to the Past ALttP Chest Game Heart Piece + Death Counter Questions

[ZestanorLink]

I swear I've gotten all the other pieces of heart. I've checked each one. But I've tried the chest game over and over and I still can't get the piece of heart. Is it normal to go 50 or so times without getting it? Maybe it's a glitch?

The thing is, I can't reload to check if it's a glitch. My goal is to have a nice big zero next to Link's name on the A Link to the Past load screen. And so far, I've done pretty well, and I don't feel like starting over. So my other question is this: If I go ahead and complete the game and let the credits roll, and then hit reset, will this affect my death count? Say I have a game saved right outside the pyramid when you fight Ganon. Every time I go to replay to ending, does the "games played" count go up by one? I ask because, if the chest game ridiculousness is just my cartridge acting up, maybe I could go ahead and complete the game, and that would give me a free reset that wouldn't affect my death count.

I'd appreciate any help, and until then, I'll be opening chests!

EDIT: Okay, I found it at the shovel game. :S Still, I'd like to know about the death count.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Beating the game saves without adding to your games played.

 

[snakeoiltanker]

Your best bet is to pick the one second to the right in the third row. and pick the same chest every time. You have a better chance picking the same box every time, than you are jumping from chest to chest cuz chances are the chest u picked the time before and didnt get it, is the chest that contains it the next time you choose a different chest! LOL ******* of a mini game is what it is LOL!