You’ve made it through the Eagle’s Tower. You probably feel like a god. Your inventory is stuffed with legendary artifacts, you’ve rescued Marin, and the Wind Fish’s Egg is practically in sight. Then you hit the western edge of the Tal Tal Mountain Range and see it: a literal giant stone turtle staring you down.
Turtle Rock Link’s Awakening is the final test. It’s the game’s longest, most grueling gauntlet. Honestly, even in the 2019 Switch remake—and definitely back on the original Game Boy—this place has a reputation for being a total "vibe check." It’s not just the lava. It’s the way the dungeon forces you to use every single trick you’ve learned since the Tail Cave, then adds a few more that feel slightly like they’re trolling you.
✨ Don't miss: Why Betrayal at House on the Hill Still Scares Your Friends Twenty Years Later
Getting Through the Door (The First Hurdles)
You can’t just walk in. Most players get stuck right at the entrance because they forget one specific song. You need the Frog’s Song of Soul, which you get from Mamu (the giant frog prince) in the Signpost Maze. If you didn't pay the 300 Rupees for that song earlier, you're hiking all the way back down the mountain.
Once you play the song, the stone turtle comes to life. It’s a mini-boss before the dungeon even starts. Basically, you just need to bomb its head until the rocky shell cracks off, then slash away with your sword.
Once you’re inside, the real headache begins.
The Mechanic Everyone Hates
The "Hole Filler."
That’s what everyone calls the little rolling block device. You hit it, and it starts moving in the direction you’re facing. You then use the D-pad (or joystick) to steer it. The catch? If you don't fill every single empty tile in the room, you don't get the chest. If you hit a wall or cross your own path, it stops.
In the 2019 remake, the controls are a bit more forgiving, but it’s still frustrating. There’s one specific room where you have to fill a massive S-shaped pit. Most players fail this ten times before getting it right.
Expert Tip: Don't rush the joystick. Small, deliberate taps are better than holding it down. If you mess up, just leave the room and come back to reset it.
The Bosses That Won't Die
Turtle Rock is basically a "Greatest Hits" tour of every mini-boss you’ve already beaten. You’ve got:
- Hinox: The giant cyclops. (Easy with the Boomerang).
- Rolling Bones: The guy with the spiked log.
- Smasher: The dude who throws the black ball at you.
- Dodongo Snakes: These guys are different here. You have to drop bombs on them from the floor above.
Then there’s Blaino. He’s a boxer. If he hits you with his "big" punch, he literally knocks you out of the dungeon. You end up back at the entrance. It’s infuriating. You have to time your hits and stay out of the center of the ring.
Finding the Magic Rod
You’re halfway through the dungeon before you find the real prize: the Magic Rod. This thing is a beast. It shoots fireballs that melt ice blocks and light torches from across the room. More importantly, it’s the only thing that really hurts the final boss.
But getting to it is a nightmare of "Small Keys." Turtle Rock has seven of them. Because the dungeon is so non-linear, it's very easy to use a key on the "wrong" door and find yourself stuck. You aren't actually soft-locked, but it feels like it. You usually just missed a cracked wall you need to bomb or a statue you need to shoot with an arrow.
Hot Head: The Final Battle
The boss of Turtle Rock is a giant flaming rock named Hot Head. He jumps out of the lava and splashes fire everywhere.
The strategy is simple: spam the Magic Rod.
👉 See also: What Danganronpa Character Are You? The Personality Guide You Actually Needed
Every time he pops out, blast him with fire. He’ll lose his outer shell and start bouncing around the room like a caffeinated pinball. Keep hitting him. If you run out of magic (rare in the remake, common on Game Boy), you’re in trouble. Honestly, the hardest part of this fight isn't the boss—it's not falling into the lava while you’re trying to aim.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the Stone Owl: The statues in this dungeon actually give good advice. If an owl says "To defeat the monsters who hold the key, attack them from a higher place," it’s talking about the Dodongo Snakes.
- Missing the Crystal Switch: There’s a switch hidden behind a bombable wall in a room with three Vires (flying demons). If you don't flip it, you won't be able to reach the Nightmare Key later.
- Forgetting the Mirror Shield: You need the Mirror Shield (from Eagle's Tower) to block the flamethrower traps. If you try to run past them, you'll just die.
Actionable Strategy for Your Run
If you’re currently stuck in Turtle Rock, do these three things right now:
- Check the Map for Chests: If there’s a chest you haven't opened, it’s probably a Small Key. You need every single one.
- Bomb the Walls: Almost every room with a weird layout has a secret passage. If your sword "clinks" against a wall with a different sound, use a bomb.
- Use the Boomerang: It’s the most broken item in the game. It kills Vires and Sparks instantly, which makes navigating the lava rooms way less stressful.
Once Hot Head is down, you’ll get the Thunder Drum. That’s it. All eight instruments are yours. The only thing left to do is head back to the Egg on top of the mountain. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of health—the final fight is a different beast entirely.