Find Link's first equipment, descend through the Deku Tree and defeat Queen Gohma in the original N64 quest.
Equip a sword and shield
From Link's house, visit the fenced training area. Crawl through its small opening; follow the rolling-boulder maze to the chest with the Kokiri Sword. Collect 40 Rupees around the village and buy a Deku Shield in the shop. Equip both on the pause screen, then speak to Mido on the path to the Deku Tree.
Climb to the slingshot
Enter the tree and climb the lobby ladder. Follow the walkway past the map chest. In the side room, face the Deku Scrub with your shield raised to reflect its nut, then speak to it. Cross the next room and open the large chest for the Fairy Slingshot. Shoot the ladder above the entrance if your return platform has fallen.
Reach the highest walkway
Back in the lobby, shoot the Skullwalltulas on the vines before climbing to the upper ring. Clear a hanging Skulltula by waiting for its vulnerable belly to face you. Cross the nearby compass room (only its chest is optional); use its switch to raise platforms and light its unlit torch with a Deku Stick to leave.
Break the floor web
Jump from the upper walkway toward the middle of the web far below. A properly centered landing tears it and drops you into the basement. Step on the basement switch to light the protected torch.
Carry fire across the water
Light a Deku Stick at that torch. Use the shallow section of water to reach the web-covered doorway without submerging the flame, then touch the web with the stick. Deflect the next Scrub's nut and hear its clue. Shoot the eye above the next door.
Pass beneath the spiked roller
Dive onto the underwater switch to lower the water temporarily. Ride the moving platform underneath the roller. On the far side, defeat the Skulltula, move the block under the ledge and climb to the exit.
Reach the upper basement ledge
Light both unlit torches in the following room. In the next chamber, burn the web leading to the small crawlspace and crawl through it. You emerge above the first basement room. Push its block off the ledge to create a return step.
Burn the second floor web
Get fire from the basement torch, climb back using the moved block and roll with the lit stick over the floor web. Drop into the lower room.
Use the Scrubs' order
Reflect nuts at the three Scrubs in this order: middle, right, left. Chase and speak to the final Scrub to unlock the boss chamber. Enter and look up to begin the encounter.
Return with the Emerald
After defeating Gohma, take the Heart Container and enter the blue light. Listen to the Deku Tree and receive Kokiri's Emerald. Leave the forest by its western exit; Saria gives you the Fairy Ocarina on the bridge.
Queen Gohma
Target her eye. When it turns red, a Slingshot shot stuns her; move in and strike with the sword.
If she climbs to the ceiling, shoot the red eye before she drops eggs. Otherwise, clear the hatched enemies and repeat the ground opening.
Ready for the next horizon?
Check steps as you go, or mark this entire chapter complete when you finish it in the game.
Notes from the archive.
- On an N64 controller, Z targeting keeps combat readable. Button labels differ on modern controllers running the original game.
- Save through the pause menu. The checklist here records your reading progress, not the game's save file.
Walkthrough references
This independent route covers the original Nintendo 64 main story. Consult the credited guides for alternate paths and additional collectibles.
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