When going for 100% completion in games, sometimes there are things that you can miss out on and ruin your chance of getting 100% without starting a new game file. I couldn't find a list anywhere so I thought I'd compile everything together here. So here is a list of known things that are missable in Zelda games.
I'm sure there's a lot missing, so let me know and I will update this post. I couldn't find info on Majora's Mask
Note that there are minor spoilers in this thread on all Zelda games
The Legend of Zelda
- 4 Heart Containers: There are 4 secret caves in the game where the old man offers you a choice of either a potion or a heart container. Always choose the heart container if you want to get maximum hearts, otherwise you will miss out on it for the rest of the game.
Zelda II: Adventure of Link
- Nothing is missable
A Link to the Past
- Nothing is missable
Link's Awakening
- Missable Secret Seashells:
1 - Once you have 5 secret seashells, you can get the 6th one by visiting the Seashell mansion. You can't get this if you have more than 5, you have to have exactly 5. See the Zelda Dungeon guide for details and location
2 - A sea shell in a treasure chest is missable. You can only get this while you have access to the flying rooster. See the beginning of this video for the location.
- Extra Ending segment: If you finish the game with 0 deaths, you will see an extra scene during the ending. The game will keep track of your deaths at the file select screen.
Link's Awakening DX
In addition to the above:
- 4 Pictures: The DX version of the game has a side quest where you can get your picture taken after special events. 4 of these pictures are missable:
1 - Go to the Kanalet Castle entrance before hitting the switch to open the castle gate. Link and Richard will pose for a picture
2 - While Marin is following you, go to the Southwestern corner of Kohilint Island. You will get a picture of Link and Marin looking at the ocean
3 - While Marin is following you, jump into the hole north of the Library and she will land on top of you for a picture
4 - While Marin is following you, go to the rooster statue in Mabe Village. Link, Marin and Tarin will pose for a picture together
- "THIEF" Name Change: To get one of the photos requires you to steal from the Shop in Mabe Village. This will change your name to THIEF permanently for the rest of the game. Also, you will no longer have access to the shop because the shopkeeper will kill you when you enter! So you need to decide if it's worth it or not. The bow and shovel are missable if you haven't bought them from the store before you get this picture (I'm not sure about this, needs confirmation)
Ocarina of Time
- Deku Nut Upgrade: If you don't get this upgrade before you pull out the Master Sword for the first time and become an adult, you will miss out on it forever. To get the upgrade, get the Mask of Truth from the Happy Mask side quest and wear it in the Lost Woods (see Chapter 6.3 of Zelda Dungeon's walkthrough for details)
(Note: This is fixed in Ocarina of Time 3D. Need confirmation on Game Cube and Virtual Console versions)
- Giant's Knife: You can no longer buy the Giant's Knife from Medigoron after you get the Biggoron's Sword. This is not a big deal though because the Biggoron's Sword is an unbreakable version of the Giant's Knife.
- Scarecrow Song Ending: If you have 0 deaths when beating the game, the song you created for the Scarecrow's Song will play in the ending. The game keeps track of your deaths at the file select screen.
Majora's Mask
- Nothing is missable?
Oracle of Seasons
- Nothing is missable, but:
- Moosh's Flute / Dimitri's Flute / Ricky's Flute: You can only get one of these flutes that summons an animal friend. Dimitri's Flute is the default flute for Oracle of Seasons.
Oracle of Ages
- Nothing is missable, but:
- Moosh's Flute / Dimitri's Flute / Ricky's Flute: You can only get one of these flutes that summons an animal friend. Moosh's Flute is the default flute for Oracle of Ages.
Wind Waker
- 15 Nintendo Gallery figurines (9 snapshots): The Nintendo Gallery is a side quest in the game where you get figurines of characters and enemies in the game after you take a picture of them with the Deluxe Picto Box and submit the picture to Carlov. Several of these are missable if you miss the opportunity to take a picture. Note that when you beat the game, you can start a New Game file where you keep your Deluxe Pictograph and all of the figurines you got in the last game. This is a good opportunity to take pictures of what you missed during your first playthrough.
1. Cyclos: A boss in the Great Sea that teaches you the Ballad of Gales after you defeat him. Take his picture before defeating him
2. Big Octo: There are only 6 Big Octos in the game and they don't reappear after you defeat them, so take a picture of one of them before you defeat them all
3. Helmaroc King: Boss of the Forsaken Fortress. Take his picture during the battle.
4. Phantom Ganon: Miniboss of the Forsaken Fortress. Also appears several times during the final dungeon at the Forsaken Fortress.
5. Tetra, Gonzo, Mako, Niko, Nudge, Senza, Zuko: Taking Tetra's picture will give you figurines of her and all of her pirates. The only opportunity to take her picture is when she is following you to the Hyrule Castle basement.
6. Kogoli: He only appears when you return to Dragon Roost Island before the Wind Temple, when you have to play the Earth God's Lyric for Medli. After this he is gone forever.
7. Red Wizzrobe: A red version of the regular Wizzrobe enemy, and the miniboss of the Wind Temple. Take his picture during the battle.
8. Knuckle: He only appears if you have the Game Boy Advance cable and complete the Tingle Tuner side quest. Since the GBA adapter is required to get this figurine, some Zelda fans don't consider this as a requirement for 100% completion. You must get this figurine before you finish getting all others, because Carlov will leave the Nintendo Gallery and make getting this one impossible.
9. Puppet Ganon: One of the forms of the final boss. You can take his picture, save and quit, reload the game and submit the picture.
Also, be sure to take pictures of all the bosses in the game before defeating them
Four Swords Adventures
-You can miss items, but since the game is in level format and levels can be repeated, it doesn't matter
The Minish Cap
- Light Arrows: You must get these from Gregal before you get to the Cloud Tops. See this entry for details
Twilight Princess
- Ordon Shield: This is the shield you start the game with. If it gets burned, it will be gone forever since it can't be purchased again. You can buy a wooden shield to replace it, but it is slightly different
Phantom Hourglass
- Missable Heart Container: At the end of the 4th dungeon, the Ghost Ship, if you don't pick up the Heart Container, the Postman will bring it to you later. If you choose not to receive it from the Postman, it will be gone forever
Spirit Tracks
- Nothing is missable
I'm sure there's a lot missing, so let me know and I will update this post. I couldn't find info on Majora's Mask
Note that there are minor spoilers in this thread on all Zelda games
The Legend of Zelda
- 4 Heart Containers: There are 4 secret caves in the game where the old man offers you a choice of either a potion or a heart container. Always choose the heart container if you want to get maximum hearts, otherwise you will miss out on it for the rest of the game.
Zelda II: Adventure of Link
- Nothing is missable
A Link to the Past
- Nothing is missable
Link's Awakening
- Missable Secret Seashells:
1 - Once you have 5 secret seashells, you can get the 6th one by visiting the Seashell mansion. You can't get this if you have more than 5, you have to have exactly 5. See the Zelda Dungeon guide for details and location
2 - A sea shell in a treasure chest is missable. You can only get this while you have access to the flying rooster. See the beginning of this video for the location.
- Extra Ending segment: If you finish the game with 0 deaths, you will see an extra scene during the ending. The game will keep track of your deaths at the file select screen.
Link's Awakening DX
In addition to the above:
- 4 Pictures: The DX version of the game has a side quest where you can get your picture taken after special events. 4 of these pictures are missable:
1 - Go to the Kanalet Castle entrance before hitting the switch to open the castle gate. Link and Richard will pose for a picture
2 - While Marin is following you, go to the Southwestern corner of Kohilint Island. You will get a picture of Link and Marin looking at the ocean
3 - While Marin is following you, jump into the hole north of the Library and she will land on top of you for a picture
4 - While Marin is following you, go to the rooster statue in Mabe Village. Link, Marin and Tarin will pose for a picture together
- "THIEF" Name Change: To get one of the photos requires you to steal from the Shop in Mabe Village. This will change your name to THIEF permanently for the rest of the game. Also, you will no longer have access to the shop because the shopkeeper will kill you when you enter! So you need to decide if it's worth it or not. The bow and shovel are missable if you haven't bought them from the store before you get this picture (I'm not sure about this, needs confirmation)
Ocarina of Time
- Deku Nut Upgrade: If you don't get this upgrade before you pull out the Master Sword for the first time and become an adult, you will miss out on it forever. To get the upgrade, get the Mask of Truth from the Happy Mask side quest and wear it in the Lost Woods (see Chapter 6.3 of Zelda Dungeon's walkthrough for details)
(Note: This is fixed in Ocarina of Time 3D. Need confirmation on Game Cube and Virtual Console versions)
- Giant's Knife: You can no longer buy the Giant's Knife from Medigoron after you get the Biggoron's Sword. This is not a big deal though because the Biggoron's Sword is an unbreakable version of the Giant's Knife.
- Scarecrow Song Ending: If you have 0 deaths when beating the game, the song you created for the Scarecrow's Song will play in the ending. The game keeps track of your deaths at the file select screen.
Majora's Mask
- Nothing is missable?
Oracle of Seasons
- Nothing is missable, but:
- Moosh's Flute / Dimitri's Flute / Ricky's Flute: You can only get one of these flutes that summons an animal friend. Dimitri's Flute is the default flute for Oracle of Seasons.
Oracle of Ages
- Nothing is missable, but:
- Moosh's Flute / Dimitri's Flute / Ricky's Flute: You can only get one of these flutes that summons an animal friend. Moosh's Flute is the default flute for Oracle of Ages.
Wind Waker
- 15 Nintendo Gallery figurines (9 snapshots): The Nintendo Gallery is a side quest in the game where you get figurines of characters and enemies in the game after you take a picture of them with the Deluxe Picto Box and submit the picture to Carlov. Several of these are missable if you miss the opportunity to take a picture. Note that when you beat the game, you can start a New Game file where you keep your Deluxe Pictograph and all of the figurines you got in the last game. This is a good opportunity to take pictures of what you missed during your first playthrough.
1. Cyclos: A boss in the Great Sea that teaches you the Ballad of Gales after you defeat him. Take his picture before defeating him
2. Big Octo: There are only 6 Big Octos in the game and they don't reappear after you defeat them, so take a picture of one of them before you defeat them all
3. Helmaroc King: Boss of the Forsaken Fortress. Take his picture during the battle.
4. Phantom Ganon: Miniboss of the Forsaken Fortress. Also appears several times during the final dungeon at the Forsaken Fortress.
5. Tetra, Gonzo, Mako, Niko, Nudge, Senza, Zuko: Taking Tetra's picture will give you figurines of her and all of her pirates. The only opportunity to take her picture is when she is following you to the Hyrule Castle basement.
6. Kogoli: He only appears when you return to Dragon Roost Island before the Wind Temple, when you have to play the Earth God's Lyric for Medli. After this he is gone forever.
7. Red Wizzrobe: A red version of the regular Wizzrobe enemy, and the miniboss of the Wind Temple. Take his picture during the battle.
8. Knuckle: He only appears if you have the Game Boy Advance cable and complete the Tingle Tuner side quest. Since the GBA adapter is required to get this figurine, some Zelda fans don't consider this as a requirement for 100% completion. You must get this figurine before you finish getting all others, because Carlov will leave the Nintendo Gallery and make getting this one impossible.
9. Puppet Ganon: One of the forms of the final boss. You can take his picture, save and quit, reload the game and submit the picture.
Also, be sure to take pictures of all the bosses in the game before defeating them
Four Swords Adventures
-You can miss items, but since the game is in level format and levels can be repeated, it doesn't matter
The Minish Cap
- Light Arrows: You must get these from Gregal before you get to the Cloud Tops. See this entry for details
Twilight Princess
- Ordon Shield: This is the shield you start the game with. If it gets burned, it will be gone forever since it can't be purchased again. You can buy a wooden shield to replace it, but it is slightly different
Phantom Hourglass
- Missable Heart Container: At the end of the 4th dungeon, the Ghost Ship, if you don't pick up the Heart Container, the Postman will bring it to you later. If you choose not to receive it from the Postman, it will be gone forever
Spirit Tracks
- Nothing is missable
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