Hero Mode

Hero Mode is a game mode featured in several games. In several games it acts like a Second Quest, unable to be accessed until after completing the game normally.

Skyward Sword
In SS undefined, Hero Mode can be unlocked after completing the main quest. In this mode enemies deal double damage. Hearts and heart flowers no longer appear (unless Link is holding the Heart Medal), so Link must rely on Potions to recover his health. Furthermore, Link has access to all the hints the Sheikah Stones have to offer at the beginning of his journey, and he carries over any Treasure and bugs he collected from his first quest. An additional boss fight is added to the Lightning Round, bringing the total to 12. Finally, the Skyward Strike keeps its powered-up form from the first playthrough, and when strengthened again, the charge time is virtually eliminated.

The Wind Waker HD
includes a Hero Mode similar to that of Skyward Sword, but is available upon the creation of a new save file. Hearts do not appear in Hero Mode, forcing Link to use Potions and Fairies to regain health. In addition, enemies deal double the amount of damage as in normal gameplay. Hero Mode can be activated or deactivated at any point during gameplay through the file select screen.

A Link Between Worlds
The Second Quest reappears in again with the name of Hero Mode, where it is unlocked after finishing the main quest. The main difference in this mode is that enemies deal four times the damage than usual, but Ravio's Journal can also be accessed through this new mode as a hidden feature.

Hyrule Warriors
Hero Mode appears in as a difficulty setting for stages in Legend Mode, and is unlocked after completing the original stages in any other difficulty. In higher difficulties, enemies deal more damage and have increased defenses. Bonuses are also be given by clearing Legend Mode stages in higher difficulty, such as an increase in Rupees gained. The Hard Mode Gold Skulltulas, also unlocked after completing the original stages first, can only be found by playing through the stages in Hard or Hero Mode difficulty in addition to fulfilling their other requirements.

Similar Modes and Releases
Several The Legend of Zelda games have Second Quests, which allow the player to play through the game after completing it once, usually with a higher difficulty. Often there are significant changes to layouts and the locations of items. Games that implement a Hero Mode do so as a Second Quest.

is an alternate version of Ocarina of Time, designed to be more difficult that has different enemies. In, this alternate game is combined with the original as a Second Quest called the "Master Quest", but in this version the entirety of Hyrule is mirrored and Link takes twice as much damage as in the normal quest in addition to the changes in Ocarina of Time Master Quest.