Bomb

Bombs are staple items in The Legend of Zelda series, premiering in the first game and recurring in every game since, excluding The Adventure of Link. People like Cannon and Barnes consider Bomb-making an art and sell the explosives at their Bomb Shops. Bombs are usually obtained early in each game, and they are commonly carried in Bomb Bags. Since their first appearance, they have kept a consistent design until Twilight Princess, in which they were given a more realistic appearance.

Location
Bombs are often available in the quest if Link happens upon them. Like most items in the series that come in quantities, they can often be found in pots, in bushes, in stores, and on defeated enemies. In Link's Awakening, Link can only buy Bombs from the Town Tool Shop in Mabe Village after having bought the Shovel for 200 Rupees. To receive Bombs in Oracle of Ages, Link must first give Queen Ambi Mystery Seeds, for which she will award him with the explosives. In the 3D Zelda games and The Minish Cap, Link is required to own a Bomb Bag before he can even use bombs. Regardless of the means of acquiring them, Bombs invariably become available to Link relatively early in the quest, when no more than a few dungeons (and in some cases zero dungeons) have been completed.

Main Functions
Needless to say, Bombs are used to create explosions. Only seconds after they are set, they will flash red and then explode in a puff of smoke and fire. Just how much time this takes depends on the game. Bombs can be used in a variety of ways, such as for blowing up rocks or walls, defeating Dodongos and other enemies, and puzzle-solving. In some games, Link can find out which walls can be bombed by hitting or tapping them with his sword. Since A Link to the Past, Link could pick up, carry, and throw Bombs. In Skyward Sword, Link can also throw bombs like bowling balls via an underarm swing of the Wii Remote, with even being capable of giving the bomb a spin. The Beetle can also pick up and fly with a bomb to a new location, adding depth to the Bomb's usage. The number of Bombs Link can set varies from title to title. Though very useful, they have a double-edged sword quality: they can harm Link if he is caught in a Bomb's explosion, except for in The Legend of Zelda. Given these functions, the Bomb is one of the most essential items in the series.

When Link wears certain Magic Rings from Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, they affect the function of bombs.
 * Blast Ring – Link's bombs cause 25% more damage.
 * Bomber's Ring – This ring allows Link to set two Bombs consecutively.
 * Bombproof Ring – Link is invulnerable to his Bombs' blasts while wearing this.
 * Peace Ring – With this, bombs will not explode as Link holds them.

Quantity
The quantity of Link's Bombs is often limited, except in Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures. Link can increase these limits depending on his actions. In The Legend of Zelda, an Old Man in the Snake Labyrinth, as well as the one in the Lion Labyrinth, will increase the number of Bombs Link can carry at the cost of 100 rupees. If Link tosses 100 Rupees into the Pond of Happiness in A Link to the Past, Venus will increase the carrying capacity of his Bombs if he so chooses. He may continue giving Rupees to reach a maximum of 50 Bombs. Mad Batter in Link's Awakening will give Link more Bombs if he sprinkles Magic Powder on an underground alter and awakens the creature. There are always ways to increase a Bomb Bag's capacity by finding larger Bomb Bags through mini-games or Great Fairies (generally blue Great Fairies ).

Varieties of Bombs
Being one of most original and most used items in the series, there are many unique variations to the Bomb that differ not only in appearance but also in function.

Super Bomb
The first variant of the Bomb, the Super Bomb, is a red, larger version of the Bomb. Its only appearance is in A Link to the Past. It can only be obtained from the Dark World's Bomb Shop, but it doesn't become available until after clearing both the Ice Palace and Misery Mire. It is priced at 100 Rupees. This giant Bomb cannot be placed in Link's inventory; he has to drag it behind him until he needs to use it. It cannot be taken over cliff edges, and Link cannot run with it, but its explosion cannot harm Link. After Link sets the Bomb, a three-second countdown will appear; after which, the Bomb will create a large explosion. The Super Bomb is required to break through the cracked wall on the second level of the Pyramid of Power, where the Fat Fairy resides. This is also the only way to obtain the most powerful sword in the game (See swords section for more details).

Bomb Flower


Bomb flowers, which debuted in Ocarina of Time, are a special exploding fruit that are set to explode when plucked and will soon after regrow. They are necessary when Link doesn't have his own Bombs but requires an explosion. A Bomb Flower can be set off without being plucked, such as if an arrow was to hit one, a Deku Stick was to light it, or a nearby explosion triggers it. In Ocarina of Time, they are too heavy for young Link to lift without aid of the Goron Bracelets.

Bombchu
Bombchu are special Bombs that resemble a mouse. Link requires a Bomb Bag to carry them, but in Phantom Hourglass, he must have a separate Bombchu Bag. In their appearances in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, these Bombs, when set, will go forward on their own, even crawling up walls and ceilings if they encounter one. The Bombchu will continue to run until it collides with an object that cannot be climbed or an enemy or until its fuse runs out and it explodes on its own. They seem to be based on creatures called Real Bombchu, which inhabit Termina. In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, Bombchu home in on nearby enemies and blow up. In Phantom Hourglass, Bombchu can be controlled manually by creating a set path for them to travel on.

Blast Mask


One of the most useful masks in Majora's Mask, the Blast Mask allows Link to instantly cause an explosion when he wears it, in exchange for use of his sword. He must wait a few seconds after the blast to use it again, and the blast harms him. However, if Link defends with his shield, he is protected from the explosion.

Powder Keg


Powder Kegs, which only appear in Majora's Mask, can only be used by Goron Link. They have a lot in common with the Super Bomb, as Link must carry them around at first and their blast is larger than a normal Bomb's. He can only have Powder Kegs in his inventory when he's certified to use them. The main uses for these powerful explosives are to clear the path to the Goron Racetrack and Romani Ranch and to destroy the cracked ceiling of Ikana Castle. Powder Kegs can be purchased in two places in Termina, namely in the Goron Powder Keg Shop in Goron Village, and in the Bomb Shop in Clock Town. After Link deploys a Powder Keg, its fuse will burn down and it will explode after some time. However, if Link shoots an arrow at the keg, it will blow up immediately.

Cannon
As soon Link receives Bombs in The Wind Waker, he can use the Cannon mounted on the King of Red Lions by simply using the Bomb item while on the boat. Bombs are the Cannon's only ammunition. The Cannon in Phantom Hourglass has an unlimited supply of shots and does not use Bombs, but its ammunition still has an explosive impact. The Spirit Train of Spirit Tracks is also equipped with such a Cannon.

In the Snowpeak Ruins of Twilight Princess, there are many cannons that require the insertion of a cannonball and then a Bomb for them to activate. These cannons can blast through thick ice and any enemy in their way.

In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, the Stalfos Pirates' cannon is used to destroy the boulder on Mount Desma.

Tingle Bomb
Tingle Bomb is an item provided by the Tingle Tuner at a cost of ten Rupees per use. It can be set wherever the Tingle icon goes onscreen. It is almost like the basic Bomb, but it is invisible, cannot be thrown, and can reveal certain hidden chests and pots ;  one of the hidden chests in each level contains a Tingle Statue. Tingle Bombs are either instant if the cursor is not on Link, or if it is they're rooted into place with a three second countdown, which will cause Tingle to warn "Mr. Fairy" (Link) to run. Tingle Bombs are only half as strong as normal bombs are. A successful hit on an enemy will drop a yellow Rupee, covering the cost of using the bomb. More successful hits on enemies within the same room will increase the value of the dropped Rupees, from a red Rupee to a purple Rupee.

In certain situations involving puzzles on some islands and most dungeons, Tingle will refuse to allow Link to use a Tingle Bomb, claiming it is for Link's own good.

Tingle Bombs can also blow away piles of leaves.

In Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle can concoct Tingle Bombs using two Bomb Fruits, two Gelatine, and two Explosive Claws. They are stored in empty jars. Cauldrons of the concoction exist in Desma's Labyrinth.

Nitro Bomb
Nitro Bombs are stored in empty jars, and are a more powerful version of Tingle Bombs. The recipe for Nitro Bombs, which is three Bomb Fruits, three Gelatine, three Explosive Claws, and three Multi-Bomb Fruits, is obtained from the Stalfos Pirates' Engineer when their pirate ship is being attacked by insects. They can shatter large boulders.

Level 2 Bomb
The Level 2 Bomb, which is exclusive to Four Swords Adventures, is an item upgrade Link can obtain by tossing the Bomb item into a Great Fairy Fountain. These Bombs are larger and have more effective blasts.



Big Bomb
The Big Bomb makes its first and only appearance in Four Swords Adventures. It is not a helpful item, except in Shadow Battle, as its blast can kill Link instantly if he is in range. Big Bombs are usually dropped by Shadow Link, but they will also appear in chests. It has a 10-second fuse, and will leave an impression in the entire area, which eventually reforms itself. Link can avoid this blast by escaping into a hole, walking into a cave, diving underwater, or leaving the area altogether.

Remote Bomb
Solely available in The Minish Cap, Link can get Remote Bombs from Belari in exchange for his regular Bombs. This can be done after getting the regular Bombs and fusing Kinstones with Gentari, the Minish elder. After being set, these Bombs will explode only when the button to which they are assigned is pressed again. Because of this, it is impossible to set two Remote Bombs at a time. These functions can be positive or negative, depending on the situation. Belari can trade the Remote Bombs back for regular Bombs whenever Link visits him. When Link has the Remote Bombs, he will obtain these items the same way as the normal Bombs. Even though Remote Bombs are the first to referred to as such, bombs in Four Swords can be activated in a similar manner.

Bomb Arrows


Bomb Arrows are a combination of both Bombs and Arrows. First used in Link's Awakening, Link can shoot them by equipping both the Bow and Bombs and using them at the same time. In Twilight Princess, they can simply be attached to arrows. They are far more handy and can be fired to create distant blasts in high and low places, wherever they hit.

Water Bomb
Water Bombs are special Bombs found only in Twilight Princess that are able to explode underwater, while other Bombs become duds once they make contact with water. They appear to be Bombfish, but Barnes claims his are handmade. Still, Link can catch Bombfish with the Fishing Rod and add them to his water Bomb inventory. Water Bombs are essential items needed for gaining access to and completing the Lakebed Temple. To use them while underwater, Link has to be wearing Iron Boots. Other than that, they work exactly the same as regular Bombs, even on land. However, they are more expensive than regular Bombs and Link can only carry half as many regular Bombs, so it is recommended to use them only when necessary.

Bombling


Bomblings are explosive creatures found in Twilight Princess. While they are just useful enemies at first, they can be added to Link's Bomb inventory later on. As items, they are similar to the Bombchu, except they won’t crawl up walls but rather will explode whenever they crash into something. Wild Bomblings, necessary to complete the Forest Temple, spawn from small holes in the ground and will attack Link after taking a brief stance, but they won't be set to explode until Link attacks them back. They can be carried.

Trivia

 * Unusually among Zelda games, it is possible to complete the main quest in Spirit Tracks without ever acquiring Bombs, as all bombable obstacles that it is necessary to traverse to finish the game can be destroyed with Bomb Flowers or Wrecker Phantoms in the surrounding area. Bombs are still necessary to access many optional treasures and hidden areas, though, and they provide easier solutions to many puzzles in the main quest.