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, with 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. After finding the flute, the flute will replace the shovel in it's item slot and the shovel cannot normally be obtained again. 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. Like most other shop items, it can be stolen. It functions in the same manner as in A Link to the Past. It is mainly used to find the Slime Key at the end of the Pothole Field. It is also used to find some of the Secret Seashells which are scattered across the island.

Ocarina of Time
While not an item in the game, it is used to gain a Piece of Heart in Dampé's Heart Pounding Graveyard Tour.

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.

Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland
In Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, Tingle can obtain the shovel early in the game by buying it in the Lon Lon Meadow from the character Duke, and it must be purchased in order to progress in the game. The shovel functions roughly the same as it does in the other games. When equipped, Tingle will carry it, causing him to walk slower until it is unequipped or if he gets in a fight. To dig, Tingle must be 'tapped' on the touch screen. Only soft ground can be dug. Items, chests, and secret passages can be found by digging.

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.
 * Digging Mitts‎ of Skyward Sword.
 * Wolf Link's abilities in Twilight Princess.
 * 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.