Side Quests & Mini-Games

Quick Answer

The big side quest is the Biggoron Sword trading sequence — about 10 trades as adult Link, several of them timed, ending in the unbreakable Biggoron's Sword (start by talking to Anju in Kakariko). The other big rewards come from the Great Fairy fountains (the three Din/Farore/Nayru spells plus magic and defense upgrades) and the mini-games that pay out Heart Pieces and quiver/bag upgrades.

Jump to: Biggoron Sword · Great Fairies · Mini-Games

Biggoron Sword trading sequence

This is the longest fetch quest in the game and the only way to the strongest sword. Do it as adult Link; once the timed trades start, keep moving and use Epona between regions.

Death Mountain, where the timed Eye Drops trade is delivered
The tightest leg of the trade — running the Eye Drops up Death Mountain before they spoil. Epona and warp songs save the run.

⚠️ The timer rules

The trades from the Odd Mushroom onward are on a real countdown — if you take too long the item spoils and you have to fetch it again. Plan your route before you grab each timed item, and use warp songs plus Epona to shave the trips. The Eye Drops run up Death Mountain is the tightest.

Great Fairies

Smash the entrance with a bomb (or play Zelda's Lullaby) at a fountain and the Great Fairy grants a spell or a permanent upgrade. These are the main source of your active magic abilities.

Spell

Din's Fire

Great Fairy near Hyrule Castle — ring of fire, lights torches
Spell

Farore's Wind

Zora's Fountain (behind Jabu-Jabu) — dungeon warp point
Spell

Nayru's Love

Desert Colossus — invincibility barrier
Upgrade

Magic Meter / Double Magic

Death Mountain Crater & Ganon’s Castle fairies — upgrade magic
Upgrade

Double Defense

Hyrule Castle fountain (as adult) — halves damage taken

💡 Great Fairy not appearing?

If nothing happens at a fountain: the spell fountains open when you play Zelda's Lullaby on the Triforce mark, while the upgrade fountains (Death Mountain, Ganon's Castle) need you to bomb the cracked wall first. You also can't get a spell you already have — the fountain only triggers for an upgrade you haven't claimed.

Mini-games & rewards

Most mini-games hand out a one-time Heart Piece and an equipment upgrade. Here's what each gives and where to play it.

Gerudo Valley, home to the archery and horseback mini-games
Gerudo Valley hosts the Horseback Archery range — one of several mini-games that pay out a Heart Piece and a quiver upgrade.
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Mask trading quest

A lighter child-era side quest run through the Happy Mask Shop — borrow a mask, sell it to the right person, repay the shop, unlock the next. Finishing it earns the Mask of Truth.

Mask selling order
Keaton MaskHyrule Castle gate guard
Skull MaskSkull Kid in the Lost Woods
Spooky MaskBoy in the Kakariko Graveyard
Bunny HoodThe Running Man
Mask of TruthReward — lets you read Gossip Stones

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the Biggoron Sword?
Complete the trading sequence as adult Link: start with the Pocket Egg from Anju in Kakariko and trade up through Cojiro, the Odd Mushroom/Potion, Poacher’s Saw, Broken Goron’s Sword, Prescription, Eyeball Frog and Eye Drops to get the Claim Check, then hold it 3 days and show it to Biggoron.
Where are the Great Fairy fountains?
Hyrule Castle (Din’s Fire), Zora’s Fountain behind Jabu-Jabu (Farore’s Wind), Desert Colossus near the Spirit Temple (Nayru’s Love), plus upgrade fountains on Death Mountain (Magic), at the crater (Double Magic) and in Ganon’s Castle.
Why is the Great Fairy not appearing?
Spell fountains need you to play Zelda’s Lullaby on the Triforce symbol; the magic/defense upgrade fountains are hidden behind a bombable wall. The fountain also won’t trigger for an upgrade you already own.
What order is the Biggoron trading sequence?
Pocket Egg → Pocket Cucco → Cojiro → Odd Mushroom → Odd Potion → Poacher’s Saw → Broken Goron’s Sword → Prescription → Eyeball Frog → World’s Finest Eye Drops → Claim Check → Biggoron’s Sword.

Where to go next

Items

Biggoron’s Sword & rewards.

Characters

Trade-chain NPCs.

Heart Piece Tracker

Log mini-game pieces.