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Before You Start

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initsu edited this page Oct 4, 2025 · 2 revisions

Before You Start

Spoiler Log

Consider enabling Generate Spoiler Log (found in the Hints tab). Having this on can save your sanity if you get stuck, since you'll have a way to look up the solution. This creates two files alongside your generated ROM:

  • spoiler.txt - summary of all item locations and ASCII-drawn palace maps.
  • spoiler.png - a map of the generated world.

Locked Doors

  • Unlike most palaces in the original game, you are not guaranteed to be able to finish palaces with only the keys you find inside them.
  • Using the Fairy spell to pass through locked doors is intended. In Randomizer terms, this is in-logic (meaning: the randomizer expects you to do this, and it isn't considered a glitch).
  • At least one of the following will always be available in-logic before you're required to enter a palace:
    • The Fairy spell
    • The Magic Key

Learn to Use Up+A

Get comfortable doing Up+A (pressed on the 2nd controller when the game is paused to trigger a Game Over) as a strategy to save time. It may even be required in uncommon cases.

Keep in mind that doing Up+A resets your lives and clears any unspent EXP. This is part of the strategic element of playing the randomizer. For example, if you have a good amount of EXP saved up, you may not want to go into a palace and jump into an unknown pit, as there may not be enough enemies to get the EXP needed to level up, and you may not be able to return - forcing you to Up+A and losing it all.

  • Up+A is especially useful with the Restart at Palaces on Game Over setting (considered the standard way to play the randomizer), since you respawn at the palace entrance with your lives restored.
  • If you don't want to use a 2nd controller, there is an option to Remap Up+A to Up+Select on Controller 1 (in the Customize tab).

Expected Skill Level

There are presets designed for different levels of experience:

  • Beginner preset – It's recommended to start here if you're not comfortable with Zelda II combat.
  • Normal preset – Recommended start if you can beat the vanilla game without save states and enjoy the game's challenging combat.

Other Helpful Settings

  • Increasing the number of lives per continue or your starting stat levels can be helpful when learning the game.
  • If you're unfamiliar with the original palace rooms, consider enabling Reveal Walkthrough Walls (in the Hints tab).

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