Shovel

The Shovel is a useful tool not only for finding Rupees and other valuables underneath the soil, but also to find hidden passages and air gusts. Occasionally, Ropes and bugs are unearthed. It was first seen in A Link to the Past and has since appeared in quite a few Zelda games such as Link's Awakening,  Oracle of ages and  Seasons and its most recent appearance in Phantom Hourglass.

A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past, the shovel is given to Link by the Flute Boy in the Haunted Grove. The primary use is to find his hidden ocarina. It is also used in the Dark World's Digging Game located southwest of the Village of Outcasts to find various treasures.

Link's Awakening
The "Deluxe Shovel" found in Link's Awakening can be purchased from the shop in Mabe Village for 200 Rupees. It functions in the same manner as in A Link to the Past, except. It is mainly used to find Richard's golden leaves so Link can get the Slime Key. It is also used to find some of the Secret Seashells which are scattered across the island.

Oracle Games
The shovel made yet another appearance in the Oracle games. It functioned the same way as in Link's Awakening and had minimal changes. However, Link could now find massive blue rupees which were worth 100 rupees by digging. In addition to this, enemies came up more often while digging.

Four Swords Adventures
The shovel in Four Swords Adventures serves the same purpose as in A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening. However, a Level 2 Shovel can also be obtained. The Level 2 Shovel differs from the Level 1 in that it chimes whenever Link stands over treasure, a hidden passage, or other hidden secrets.

Phantom Hourglass
In Phantom Hourglass, the shovel is the only non-weapon item Link can hold, excluding bottles. This shovel has more usefulness than any of the others, as it has the ability to uncover hidden passages. It can also unearth natural air vents, creating a means for Link to ascend. In addition to all of these uses, the shovel is used in the game on Harrow Island, where Link can dig up ten treasures for a price of 50 rupees.

Comparable Techniques
A digging function is also served, in games where the shovel is not seen, with the following:
 * Mole Mitts of The Minish Cap which still allowed Link to dig, although slowly.
 * Wolf Link's abilities
 * In Ocarina of Time, Dampé offers a tour in which he will dig selected areas.
 * In Majora's Mask, Link can help Dampé dig for the Royal Family's treasure under a grave in the Ikana Graveyard by providing light from Tatl.
 * In The Wind Waker, Link can use a large pig and All-Purpose Bait to dig for treasures, including a Heart Piece.