The Legend of Zelda (NES) – Cheats and Unlockables

the legend of zelda nes cheats and unlockables

Here are all the guides, tips, and strategies to enjoy playing The Legend of Zelda (NES) with cheats and unlockables.

Game Genie Codes

All Items for Free (1 of 2)

Cheat code:
SZVXASVK

All Items for Free (2 of 2)

Cheat code:
AEVEVALG

Create a Character with 8 Life Hearts

Cheat code:
YYKPOYZZ

Create a Character with 16 Life Hearts

Cheat code:
NYKPOYZX

Don’t Take Damage From Anything

Cheat code:
AVVLAUSZ

Don’t Lose Rupees When Buying

Cheat code:
SZVXASVK

Infinite Bombs

Cheat code:
SZNZVOVK

Wear a Blue Ring

Cheat code:
ESKUILTA

Wear a Red Ring

Cheat code:
OSKUILTA


Tips & Tricks

Enemy Change

If a room has a mixture of enemies without locked doors, you can defeat the easy enemies in that room first, leave the room, and then return later. This is useful when dealing with rooms that contain mixed enemies with a Blue Darknut or a Blue Wizzrobe; leave and returning could transform them to weaker enemies.

Money Making Game

Immediately to the left of the start screen, there is a rock face that can be bombed to reveal a cave where the money making game can be repeatedly played. If you lose or gain a lot of rupees, press Start to access the weapons screen. Then, on the second controller, press Up + A simultaneously. The game will immediately end, bringing you to the “CONTINUE”, “RETRY” or “SAVE” option.

If you’ve lost money, select “RETRY” and you’ll be back at the start screen, with your previous rupee count intact. If you’ve been lucky and gained a lot of rupees, select “SAVE” and you’ll go back to the character select screen. In either case, the total number of replays for your character will not advance and you can quickly move back to the money making game to maximize your earnings.

Reduce Enemies

If you leave one monster on a screen, no other monsters will respawn, and every time you visit the screen, there will be only one monster.

Safety Tip

Some of the most difficult dungeon rooms (ones full of Darknuts for instance) can be cleared with minimal to no damage taken. Stand in the doorway, just enough to not go through.

If you have full health, step forward and fire sword beams. Otherwise, only enter the room when it is possible to strike and return to safety. Shutter Doors can be cheated in this manner as well. As long as Link doesn’t entirely cross the threshold, the door will not close and lock.

Second Quest

By entering your name as “Zelda” when you start the game, you will immediately begin the Second Quest without having to play the First Quest.

Unlock a Door Without a Key in the First Dungeon

When you enter the first dungeon, immediately leave and come back. The locked door will open.


The Legend of Zelda is an action-adventure game developed by Nintendo and initially released in 1987 for the NES.

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