Sneak through the new castle approach, meet Zelda and prepare the route to Dodongo Cavern.
Travel to Hyrule Castle
Cross Hyrule Field toward Hyrule Castle Town, then follow the road uphill to the castle. Speak to Malon beside the milk cart and agree to find her father. She gives you a Weird Egg. The Potion Shop’s bug-catching request in town also gives you a useful extra bottle.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Wake the sleeping rancher
Climb the vines behind Malon and get beyond the gate. Use the tall hedges as cover and climb the vines at the end of the route. Swim along the moat, past the entrance bridge and around the corner to Talon. Once the egg hatches, equip the Wake-Up Cucco and use it beside him.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Reach Zelda's courtyard
Move the crates Talon left behind to make a step up to the drain opening. Crawl through. In the castle grounds, wait for guards to turn away before crossing and use the scenery as cover. Continue through the indoor patrol to Zelda’s courtyard. Speak to Zelda, accept her request and take her Letter. Impa teaches Zelda’s Lullaby before escorting you out.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Visit Saria in the Sacred Forest Meadow
Return to Kokiri Forest and enter the Lost Woods. From the entrance, take right, left, right, left, straight, left, right. Follow the music and the flowing green notes at the correct tunnels. Defeat the Wolfos, pass the Mad Scrubs with your shield raised and climb to Saria to learn Saria’s Song.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Learn the Sun’s Song
At the back of Kakariko Graveyard, stand on the Triforce before the Royal Family’s Tomb and play Zelda’s Lullaby. Enter the opened crypt, defeat the bats, pass the ReDeads and read the inscription at the end to learn the Sun’s Song. It changes day and night and stuns ReDeads.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Get the Hylian Shield
The wooden shield burns in fire. Buy a Hylian Shield in Castle Town, or collect the free one in Kakariko Graveyard: learn the Sun’s Song in the Royal Family’s Tomb, make it night and pull the second grave to the right of the path when facing the royal tomb. Below, stun the ReDead with the Sun’s Song, defeat it and open the chest.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthroughRetro Dodo · Deku Shield and child equipment
Open the Death Mountain gate
At Kakariko’s northern gate, show Zelda’s Letter to the guard. With the gate open, follow Death Mountain Trail uphill to Goron City.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Play for Darunia
Descend to Goron City's lowest level. Play Zelda's Lullaby on the mat in front of Darunia's door. Inside, speak to him and play Saria's Song. He gives the Goron's Bracelet, which lets child Link lift Bomb Flowers.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Unblock Dodongo's Cavern
Exit Goron City to the mountain trail. At the nearby fenced ledge, lift a Bomb Flower and throw it down toward the giant boulder sealing the cavern below. Reposition and repeat if it misses. Descend the path and enter the opened cavern.
References: Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthrough
Track this chapter
Check steps as you complete them in the game. You can undo any check.
Sources and edition changes
Switch 2 edition · sources checked November 5, 2026
This guide follows the 2026 Nintendo Switch 2 remake. Routes were checked against edition-specific walkthroughs and Nintendo documentation. We have not personally completed a console playthrough.
The N64 guide and its saved progress remain separate. Checklist totals measure this guide, not the game's completion percentage. New features are documented where the available evidence supports them.
Changes to keep in mind
- Malon waits beside a milk cart; the hatched Wake-Up Cucco wakes Talon.
- The free Hylian Shield is in a ReDead tomb, not the old flower-marked-grave shorthand.
- Green musical notes now help identify the correct Lost Woods tunnels.
- Lon Lon Ranch’s bottle and Epona’s Song are optional here; collect them before following the horse quest later.
- The Happy Mask trade does not block these story steps.
- Respec · Alex Donaldson · tested Switch 2 walkthroughEdition-specific guide ·
- Retro Dodo · Deku Shield and child equipmentEdition-specific guide ·