Adventure Mode

Adventure Mode is a game mode in where players can embark on selected missions to earn rewards such as Sealed Weapons, Heart Containers, Pieces of Heart, Item Cards, as well as unlock playable Warriors such as Ghirahim, Agitha and Zant.

Map
Adventure Mode consists of a map grid, based on 's Hyrule map, with each block of the map containing different selected missions. Each mission consists of a preset challenge, ranging from normal story battles, to quiz missions, boss rushes and other challenges that differ from the regular gameplay. Missions can be playable as many times as the player wishes. To open more blocks on the map, other missions have to be completed before they may become accessible. Sometimes a mission requires to be cleared in a certain rank before they may open to the next block. Wavy, black lines on the map serve to border between blocks, and in order to get to the blocks they obstruct, missions have to be completed around them.

Some missions restrict which characters or weapons can be used in them. In these cases, it is necessary to have unlocked the character and/or weapon required for the mission to be able to play it.

Victory ranks and rewards
When finishing a mission, the player will be graded on how well they did on a scale ranging from ranks "A" to "C", based on stats such as enemies defeated, time used to complete the mission, and damage taken. Depending on the grade, certain rewards may be earned such as Sealed Weapons, Heart Containers and Pieces of Heart, as well as open more missions on the map.

To receive the highest ranking on a mission, it is required to claim an "A" rank on all different stats present in each mission, with the default stats tracked being K.O.s, clear time and damage taken. The final mission rank is based on the lowest stat rank, so if an "A" rank in K.O.s is earned but only earns a "C" rank in clear time, the final mission rank will be a "C".

Earning "A" ranks in certain stats vary by the mission. Generally however, an "A" rank in K.O.s requires approximately 1,000 to 1,200 enemies or more. For 'clear timing', the mission must be completed approximately within at least 15 minutes or less within the 60 minute time limit. However, certain missions such as "Defeat (X amount of) enemies within the time limit" and "Defeat the Giant Bosses within the time limit" limits the mission to 10 minutes. For an "A" rank, the mission must completed within at least 7 minutes or less. For 'damage taken', this all varies. Depending on type of mission it is, an "A" ranking allows for at least less than 10,000 points to 3,000 points of damage.

Item Cards
In some cases, a reward will need to be unlocked on the map screen before it can be obtained by beating the mission. This is done by searching a block on the map with the use of Item Cards. If the correct Item Card is used on the right spot, the reward will be unlocked.

Each item card represents a item from the series, with each having it's own unique use. Bomb cards can open hidden pathways in mountain walls, Candle cards can burn bushes, Compass cards reveal where the secret in the current mission block is, and so on. Some missions cannot be played until the enemies within it are revealed with a certain Item Card, or cannot be accessed unless a card is used on a neighboring block in addition to being cleared on a certain ranking.

Item Cards are consumed when used, even when used on the wrong spot, though more can be obtained by replaying missions where they're available.

Network Links
If connected to the Nintendo Network during gameplay, other players will sometimes appear on the map screen, being represented by a sprite of Link. If the visitor is a stranger, the Link will be wearing black, and if it is someone on the player's friend list, the sprite will have blue clothing.

Once a network Link appears, the mission on the block it stands at can be played for an extra reward, including powerful weapons and very rare crafting materials.

Reward Map
By completing an Illustration from defeating 20 correct Gold Skulltulas, a new Adventure Mode map will be unlocked called the Reward Map. This map contains unique missions to unlock new costumes for characters.

Master Quest Map
The Master Quest DLC pack contains a new Adventure Mode map called the Master Quest Map. This map provides new missions and challenges, but with additional clauses such as no healing allowed or no guarding in addition to the regular mission objectives. This map contains rewards for the playable characters Cia, Volga, and Wizzro, along with new costume rewards for other playable characters.