Secrets and Unlockables

Discover hidden secrets and unlockable content in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, including the Giant Cucco, Mother Maimai's departure, and Hero Mode challenges.

Hey there! Ready to uncover some of the coolest hidden stuff in The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds? This game is packed with little surprises that you might miss if you're just rushing through. Let's dive into what makes this adventure even more special!

The Giant Cucco

So, you know those little chickens, the Cuccos? Well, there's a rumor of a Giant Cucco hanging out near Cucco Ranch, south of Kakariko Village. Apparently, if you talk to it, you get a tiny heart – just one little bit of health restored. It's not much, but hey, it's a secret! To even get a shot at seeing this big guy, you'll probably need to tackle the Cucco Girl's mini-game at the ranch. She's got a real sadistic streak, making you dodge Cuccos from all sides. If you somehow survive that, she'll unlock an 'Endless' level where the Cucco chaos never stops. Honestly, it feels like it goes on forever – I think I lasted about 999.99 seconds before my brain started to fuzz out. But if you can endure it, the Cucco Girl will finally call you a 'Cuccomaster' and present you with the Giant Cucco. Pro-tip: If you need a break from the madness, repeatedly pressing START to pause and unpause time might help you out!

Mother Maimai Departs

Remember Mother Maimai and her 100 lost children? After you've found them all, upgraded your gear, and even learned the Great Spin attack, there's still more! Head back to your house in Hyrule. You know, the one where that smug Ravio hangs out, making a fortune off you? Go near his big money bag in the corner to give him a little nudge. After that, return to Mother Maimai's cave. She'll say her goodbyes and depart for another dimension. When you leave and then come back, her cave will be empty, except for one Maimai – the 72nd one – who decided to stay behind. It makes you wonder if there's something special about the number 72, doesn't it? Like how 72 hours is exactly three days.

Battle Gramps

Gramps, the old guy running StreetPass in Kakariko Village, is more than he appears. He knows about Shadow Links – those other players' Links sent via StreetPass – which is pretty unusual for a normal old man. Battling his Shadow Links is a good way to practice and complete StreetPass Challenges. But here's the twist: after you beat all 50 challenges, Gramps reveals his true plan. He's been using you to find a powerful warrior – you! Now, you can actually battle Gramps himself. He fights just like a super-tough 999-bounty Shadow Link, and despite looking frail, he hits incredibly hard. It makes you wonder if he was a previous hero or something, especially since he can use all your items!

Hero Mode

So, you've saved the world and peace has returned? Great! Now you get to do it all over again, but tougher! You'll unlock Hero Mode, where monsters hit twice as hard. If something normally took off half a heart, it'll now take off two whole hearts! It's a much more challenging journey, but with your experience, you'll be better prepared. My best advice for Hero Mode? Keep your distance, stun enemies before attacking, stock up your Bottles with fairies and healing items, and grab every Piece of Heart you can find. Monsters in Lorule can deal a massive 8 hearts of damage, so you'll definitely need them!

Vacant House Diary (Hero Mode Only)

This one's a cool little secret tucked away in Hero Mode. In Lorule, where your house is in Hyrule, there's a vacant room. Don't try the front door – it's blocked. Instead, blast the north-facing wall from the outside to find a secret entrance. Inside, you'll find a book in the top-right corner. It's a diary, likely left by the previous owner. If you've finished the main game, you'll probably have a good idea who it is! The diary gives you a peek into what was going on in Lorule. The countdowns mentioned in the diary – 3 days, then 2, then 1 – are a bit unsettling and might remind you of a strange dream, but it's hard to say if there's a real connection.

Alternate Ending Scene (Hero Mode Only)

Another gem you'll only see in Hero Mode! Normally, after you finish the game, you see the Master Sword returned to its pedestal in the Lost Woods. But if you beat the game in Hero Mode, there's a small, but significant, change. You'll get to see a scene with Princess Zelda and the Seven Sages. It's a nice little reward for conquering the tougher challenge!