The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds art
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The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Guide > Mini-Games

Cucco Ranch


Cost: 20 Rupees (Egg); 30 Rupees (Chick); 50 Rupees (Rooster); 10 Rupees (Endless)

Location: South of Kakariko Village

For this game, you are locked inside of a square pen while Cuccos run and fly across the screen from all directions. You need to avoid contact with all of them for 30 seconds in order to win the prize. In order to unlock the next level, you need to complete the level before it.

If you win, you receive 2x the amount you paid to play. Rooster level pays out 3x and a Heart Piece for the first time you win. In Endless mode, at 100/300/500/800 seconds, you win that amount of rupees. If you survive Endless for 999 seconds, you win 3000 Rupees and a Large Cucco (sits outside the ranch, fully recovers your hearts if you talk to it).

Hyrule Hotfoot


Cost: 20 Rupees

Location: East of Lake Hylia

Talk to the Racing Bro and you will be asked to race to his brother, who is stationed behind the Miner's House next to the northeast Lost Woods entrance. For the first time you race, you need to get there within 75 seconds to win 100 Rupees. For the second race onward, you need to beat 65 seconds. If you make it, you will receive a Heart Piece for the first win and 300 Rupees for subsequent wins. You can not use Irene's Bell (in Hyrule at least :P) or you will not receive a prize at the end due to cheating.

It is pretty much required that you have the Pegasus Boots before attempting this mini-game, and that you plan out your route in advance so you know trouble spots, enemies and obstacles to avoid while dashing, etc. A good route would take you directly south and west to the Great Swamp, then northward to Link's House. Go north and west along the straightaways, then north from the Blacksmith's Shop, dashing as much as possible. You need to learn the proper alignments to avoid certain enemies and trees on your own.

A good alternate route requires that you have access to Lorule, and have activated the "Skull Woods" weather vane. Start the race, then use the fissure portal nearby to reach Lorule. Use Irene's Bell and get to Skull Woods, then go south to exit the forest. Continue south, east, and north to the ruined Miner's House, using the fissure portal behind the bars. Then, exit the house and talk to the other Racing Bro to finish the race. It should get you there with a good time, especially if you have not mastered the normal path.

Fortune's Choice


Cost: 50 Rupees (Hyrule)/200 Rupees (Lorule)

Location: Kakariko Village/Thieves' Town

In this mini-game, you pay for the chance to open treasure chests. In the Hyrule version, there are two chests: one has a single rupee and the other has 100. In Lorule, you can open three chests which have rupees, collectible items, and even a Heart Piece. You get to keep whatever you find in the chests.

Octoball Derby


Cost: 50 Rupees

Location: Haunted Grove (Lorule)

You get to play some baseball in this mini-game. You will be given 30 pitches total, and there are pots scattered throughout the field and on the fences. You can adjust your batting stance by holding Up or Down on the Circle Pad, or simply leaving it neutral. Holding Up leads to a ground ball, Down is a fly ball, and neutral is for mid-range. How you time your swings has an effect on where the ball is hit. Early swings send the ball to the right side, while late swings lead to the left.

There will be crabs walking back and forth on two sides of the field. Hit one and all destroyed pots will be replenished. Each pot you hit is worth a single rupee, with a golden pot worth five. If you hit three pots in a row, a crow will appear; hit it to get a 20-rupee bonus (as long as you time the swing right for where the crow is, your ball will home in on it). If you manage to hit the Octorok pitcher, it will immediately spit out another ball, so be prepared to swing at it.

As for prizes, you get to keep the rupees you earn, so that's it. If you manage to break the 100 mark for the first time, you also win a Heart Piece.

Rupee Rush


Cost: 50 Rupees (Hyrule); 100 Rupees (Lorule)

Location: South of Kakariko Village/Thieves' Town

You will be given 30 seconds to wander around an open field with various obstacles, trees, and so on. The goal is to collect as many rupees as you can, but the tricky part is there is no timer! You must keep your own time using a stopwatch or other timepiece. You need to talk to the person at the entrance within 30 seconds to win; going over that time will mean you get absolutely nothing.

You receive a bonus depending on how many seconds remaining you had before talking to the person. Having under 2.00 seconds left gives you a 2x bonus while under 1.00 second gives you a 3x bonus. If you manage to break 100 Rupees (150 Rupees in Lorule) for the first time (bonus included), you will receive a Heart Piece.

NEXT: Treacherous Tower