I guess I never rated this.

As an NES "clone", this quest is fabulous. As far as difficulty goes, it's definitely harder than the 2nd quest, and about as difficult (imo) as the 3rd quest. Understandably that's going to turn many folks away, but if that's your cup of tea, you definitely need to play this.

Despite the difficulty, the pacing is extremely well done. Acquiring key items (whistle, bracelet, ladder) gets you access to a HC in the overworld. You'll likely want to have the white sword and blue ring for level 3, and the magic sword for level 6. You won't see a single wizzrobe until level 6. No dungeon is too difficult, though by level 5 you may want to be in the habit of bringing a red potion. The dungeons are not so difficult that you're required to visit multiple times with multiple red potions. In terms of size, the dungeons are for the most part larger than the dungeons in the 3rd and 4th quests, so your endurance will be tested.

4 out of 5 here.

The quest's design is brilliant, but it's not for everyone and sometimes can be unfun to play; however, it does a servicable job of rebuilding an NES Classic Quest. Warning: It's not for the faint of heart. If you're into NES deviants this is one of the better ones.

The difficulty in this quest lies predominantly in the dungeon enemies, as the available enemies in the Overworld remain the same. With sufficient preparation and thorough exploration, it is possible to uncover most of the important locations and items. It really pays to be as fully equipped as possible before entering each dungeon-especially the later ones-because the enemies do not get easier.

The recently added introductions to each dungeon give hints as to its general shape, allowing one to deduce both bomb-able and walkthrough walls. The addition of a Boss Key adds another objective in each dungeon, necessitating thorough exploration.

Overall, a very good quest that poses a big challenge fighting-wise.

Can't believe there aren't more reviews here! This is a great quest! Not too hard or too easy. If you're looking for a fun 5th quest - this is it!

Update March 2023
Replayed this to see if it was as good as I remembered. It is! Very challenging, though, and no cake walk. One minor complaint is that most of the pushblocks can only be pushed vertically, which could lead to some easily missed secrets. I look forward to playing it again in another 8 years or so.

Right, I thought it would be a good idea to review this quest to highlight some of the good points and bad points.


[Level 2]
I started the game with a leisurely stroll along the beach… and what did I find there… level 2. Upon entering I was treated to a nice little graphic, and level name "block" which I thought was a nice touch. 3 screens into the level and I was treated to a game over screen.

Oh well, I thought, I'll just have a stroll around hyrule… I find levels 3 and 4 quite easily… By this time, Ive grinded enough money to buy the magic shield and blue candle so naturally am burning stuff, and bombing walls like a terrorist. I couldn't seem to find anything but door repair charges...

Then eventually, I find level 1.

[Level 1 - Hourglass]
This level has a nice design, however, I was worried I had missed the dungeon item by the time I had got to the boss door. It was indeed very late into the dungeon before I found it… Some low level enemies, and a nice level of difficulty for a first level. Make sure you have money btw, or you'll lose a heart container. Good Job Big Joe!

[Level 2 - Block]
So back to level 2 I went and still found it difficult given the extra heart container I had just won from beating the level 1 boss. At this point, I messaged Big Joe, and he came to the rescue by telling me where I could find one of the free heart containers. With 5 hearts in total, I now went questing for the white sword… located in perhaps the most inaccessible part of Hyrule (not telling where). When I did finally manage to grab it with 1/2 a heart remaining, f6 was my first action to save me from going through all that hardship again...

So back to level 2 again… and finally I make some progress… and beat the boss. A good level design, but by the time I'd attempted the level properly I'd already bought a couple of keys so didn't really have the need to explore the whole level.

[Level 3 - Zol]
I really liked this level and design. Maybe it was just the fact that my white sword took down all the Zols that I felt this was one of the better levels. There are a few bomb able walls and walk thru wall so be careful! The ladder inside helped me get an extra heart container on the dock, and the Whistle was an ingenious little trick… The way the level is designed makes you think that the walk through wall was to the left of the boss room. It wasn't… that's all I'm saying.

Before I trekked to level 4, I wanted to get the blue ring.. so once again asked for help from Joe… and guess where I end up going (again)… the most inaccessible area of hyrule… to find the blue ring in a shop hidden in a wall. On the way there, I found the letter near the graveyard, and some more door repair charges….

[Level 4 - Snake]
This was the first level I found to be quite tricky. Only because I couldn't find the map… and that really did put me at a disadvantage…. Once again, big Joe to the rescue! Good thing about this level were the upgraded blue dodongos… they were a real surprise! But glad to get the boss key out of them! Not a bad level, but you have to back track to level 3 to get the whistle before you can beat the boss. Good level, and the raft found within unlocks certain areas you couldn't go to before.

[Level 5 - Sword]
How do I hate this level? Let me count the ways… Red Darknut, Blue Darknut, Green Kamikaze Darknuts, and Gold F**k you and die dark nuts. Seriously, this level should have been called "romancing the dark nut…" not sword. Lots of tricks, bombable and walkthrough walls, and literally every possible way to die imaginable. When I'd finally manage to get the power bracelet (with Joe's help), and f6'd my way out of there… I was one heart container shy of obtaining the magic sword (located where level 7 was in 1st quest) . Found a secret free heart container near the fairy pond, and then went back to finish the level… Imagine my surprise when I'd finally got to the boss room… ZC crashes, and I have to do the whole thing again! According to Joe, this was a bug, and has since been corrected in the latest version, but I seriously wanted to stab my computer after this… Hint to everyone playing, make sure you save game regularly.

[Level 6 - Grail]
I had accidentally found this level whilst searching for the white sword, so knew where to go… As expected from level 6, wizzrobes first room. I thought to myself, this isn't so bad… much nicer than dark nut central in level 5…. Then I go down the secret stairs and up into the next room… Blue Wizzrobes, regular wizzrobes, and Like Likes! As you progress further into the level, you are greeted by yet more like likes, blue wizzrobes and a new tougher breed of green wizzrobes which don't die so easily. I felt rather frustrated with this level as I could find loads of locked doors, and no keys… so had to go out an buy multiple keys from shops to make progress… Even then, I found myself stuck until I found a certain bomb able wall in a particular room. Then I make progress… I find keys, the dungeon map through a walk through wall, and yet more wizzrobes…. but still haven't found my way to the dungeon item or the boss key. Nasty level… particularly when you come across Zols that seem invulnerable to every weapon you have….

[Level 7 - The Moon and Star]

Let's start with some positives. Level 6 done… no more wizzrobes… Yay! No in game hint as to where to find level 7. Big Joe to the rescue again! I never would have thought to toot my flute where it's located!

So in we go… and then… more wizzrobes… and like likes… and my shield gets eaten again! Doh!

On the plus side of things, I found the red candle very close to the start of this level. Just bomb a few walls, and walk through another and you're there! Lots of locked doors… but then hey, Im rich and have 7 keys! No biggy…. Still exploring… will let you know how I get on tomorrow.

The following day… my shield gets eaten by another like like. Head hurts… can't find the boss key.

The trick with level 7 is to whistle whilst you work… then you'll find the boss key… and it all fits into place afterwards.

Great level… actually enjoyed that one!

and [Level 8 - Cross]

Indeed, Cross. Exactly how Im feeling at the moment… Super Wallmasters, Gold and green goriyas, super speedy snakes, and a ton of hidden passageways…. At least theres no wizzrobes...

Once I had found the map for this level, I actually found it quite easy. The magic key was easily obtainable.. if you're diligent with whistling whilst you work. The only think I found a little tricky was backtracking for the magical boomerang.

Otherwise, great level!

[Level 9]
I found this level by accident whilst searching for the blue ring (hint: It's at the top of the stairs). Couldn't do anything there, as ones without triforce can't go in.

Finally inside level 9… and this place is full up… with wizzrobes and patras! Lovely… not made much progress yet...

Just can't beat level 9…. Too many wizzrobes.


By the time I decided to put down my sword, and write this review, I had amassed 7 keys and had no money for a bomb upgrade plus had had my shield eaten by a like like. Level 6 is a stinker!

Ive played some challenging quests in my time, but this one is really tough! At least with some of the other ones (like the 3rd quest for instance) it was logical what to do in some of the levels when you had exhausted your options on what to do. Here in this quest, I feel its more a case of pot luck hitting on a particular bomb able wall, or walking through somewhere that you don't expect to be hidden there. A good quest tho… I feel challenged by it, even if I want I want to hurt someone after playing it! I guess that's what you get for selecting normal mode… Well done Joe!

Would someone please tell me where the White Sword is located?
Please...

I would like to leave a note that the next (unreleased) version of ZC will add this entry as the official 5th quest.

While it doesn't have the splash screens that are seen in this Special Edition, it has a different music track for each dungeon and a custom Ganon fight courtesy of CJC.

I really need some bonus heart contaners and the white sword. level 1 is killing me!

White sword?

And I need a bonus heart container!

There was a problem with the splash screens. I figured my script to turn off input while you wait for the timed warp would suffice, but apparently it doesn't even work in 2.5.

I've committed an update.