Heart Container
Heart Containers,(TLoZ | ALttP | LA | OoT | MM | OoS | OoA | FS | TWW | FSA | TMC | TP | PH | ST | SS | ALBW | BotW | TotK | HWAoC)[1][2][3][4][5][6][name references needed] also known as Bowls of Hearts,(TAoL)[1] Heart-Shaped Stones,(TMC)[7] Life Hearts,(TFoE | TWoG)[8][9] and Crystal Hearts,(ZA)[10] are recurring Items in The Legend of Zelda series. They increase Link's Life Gauge, which is represented by a set of Hearts, excluding The Adventure of Link, where his health is symbolized by a life bar. Collecting enough Pieces of Heart assembles a Heart Container and increases Link's maximum health.[1]
Location and Uses
As Link progresses through the games, he will require more and more health in order to survive the greater challenges. This additional health is acquired in the form of Heart Containers,[11] with each Heart Container adding one whole heart to the amount of hearts Link has.[12] A Heart Container is awarded after every major boss in most games[12]. The maximum number of Heart Containers is typically 20 or 16; see below.
The Legend of Zelda
In The Legend of Zelda, only full Heart Containers are available, not Pieces of Heart. 8 Heart Containers are obtained from bosses, one each in Level 1 to Level 8. A single Heart Container can be found on Hyrule's eastern coast, requiring the Stepladder to collect. The remaining 4 Heart Containers are offered as gifts in caves, in locations that vary between the First and Second Quest. In these caves, Link is offered the choice of a Heart Container or a Red Potion; if Link takes the potion, the Heart Container is permanently lost.
In the Second Quest, it is possible to permanently lose a Heart Container in specific rooms, one in Level 4, and two in Level 7, where Link is required to pay either 1 Heart Container or 50 rupees.
The Adventure of Link
In The Adventure of Link, Link's life is represented by a gauge, which starts with 4 segments. 4 Bowls of Hearts are found throughout the game. Each permanently increases length of the life gauge by 1 segment, up to a maximum of 8, and fully refills the gauge.
A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past, the first additional Heart Container can be found in the Sanctuary after the first visit to Hyrule Castle; this Heart Container uniquely fully restores Link's health.
An additional 10 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating the bosses of the first 3 Light World dungeons and the first 7 Dark World dungeons; unlike most games, boss Heart Containers are mandatory. Agahnim does not drop a Heart Container when fought in either Hyrule Castle or Ganon's Tower.
This game introduces Pieces of Heart, 4 of which are required to form a Heart Container. 6 Heart Containers are formed this way.
Link's Awakening
In Link's Awakening, 8 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and 3 by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each. As in A Link to the Past, boss Heart Containers are mandatory.
Starting in this game, collecting any Heart Container fully restores Link's health.
Ocarina of Time
In Ocarina of Time, 8 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and 9 by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each. Boss Heart Containers return to being optional, and remain so for the rest of the series.
Majora's Mask
In Majora's Mask, only 4 Heart Containers can be obtained by defeating bosses. 13 Heart Containers are formed by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each, the most in the series.
Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
In both Oracle games, Link starts with a variable number of Heart Containers: 3 in a new game, but 4 in a Linked Game or when using a Hero's Secret.
8 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and 3 by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each, for a total of 14 hearts without linking.
An additional full heart container can be obtained only in a Linked Game; combined with the 4th initial heart, this allows for Link to reach a total of 16 hearts.
The Wind Waker
In The Wind Waker, four Pieces of Heart will create a Heart Container for Link. Link will also be rewarded with a Heart Container after defeating a Boss. Link is able to obtain a total of 17 Heart Containers, which brings his Life Energy to 20 hearts.
Four Swords
Four Swords Adventures
Unlike most games, Heart Containers in Four Swords Adventures are not permanent, but reset every stage. All four Links share the same health total, starting each stage with 4 Heart Containers, only 3 of which are filled. Each stage contains an additional 2 to 4 more Heart Containers.
The Minish Cap
Link can have a total of 20 Heart Containers in The Minish Cap. He starts with three and can gain a total of 11 more through Pieces of Heart; four Pieces of Heart equal one Heart Container.
The remaining six are all obtained as full Heart Containers; Link gains one after defeating each of the five Bosses (Big Green Chuchu, Gleerok, Mazaal, Big Octorok, and the Gyorg Pair), and one is given to him by Librari. After Link acquires the Wind Element and infuses it into the White Sword, turning it into the Four Sword, the Royal Hyrule Library is closed, and Librari moves to a small Minish-sized House in the center of Lake Hylia. The House can only be accessed after Link Fuses Kinstone Pieces with a Forest Picori in the far eastern portion of Minish Village, opening a small crack near the Wind Crest at Lake Hylia. When Link enters this crack and goes through the tunnel, he emerges in front of Librari's House; speaking to Librari inside will net him the final full Heart Container.
Twilight Princess
In Twilight Princess, 8 Heart Containers can be obtained by defeating bosses, and 9 by collecting Pieces of Heart. Unusually, it takes 5 Pieces of Heart, not 4, to form a Heart Container.
Heart Containers can apparently form when people display deep affection for each other, as seen where Yeto and Yeta create Hearts and a Heart Container in their embrace. Twilight Princess also considers Pieces of Heart to be sources of love, as seen with Madame Fanadi when she asks Link what type of prediction he wants to see.
Phantom Hourglass
The DS games return to the pattern of The Legend of Zelda, offering only full Heart Containers. In Phantom Hourglass, 7 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and 6 can be found elsewhere.
Spirit Tracks
Skyward Sword
In Skyward Sword, Link starts with 6 Heart Containers, instead of 3 as in most games.
6 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and 6 by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each, for a total of 18 permanent Heart Containers. 2 additional Heart Containers can be temporarily obtained by equipping Life Medals.
A Link Between Worlds
In A Link Between Worlds, 10 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating the bosses of the first 3 Hyrule dungeons and the first 7 Lorule dungeons. Yuga does not drop a Heart Container when fought in Hyrule Castle or Lorule Castle; however, he does drop one when fought in Eastern Palace. Unlike A Link to the Past, there is no Heart Container in the Sanctuary, and boss Heart Containers are not mandatory.
The remaining 7 Heart Containers are formed by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each.
Breath of the Wild
In Breath of the Wild, Link receives a Heart Container after defeating each of the four bosses found in the Divine Beasts. Link can also earn Heart Containers by choosing them over a Stamina Vessel after trading in four Spirit Orbs to a Goddess Statue anywhere in Hyrule. Spirit Orbs are rewarded to Link at the end of every Ancient Shrine. Link can obtain up to 23 Heart Containers from Goddess Statues, allowing him to have a maximum of 30 hearts. If Link instead uses his Spirit Orbs to achieve three full Stamina Wheels from the Goddess Statue, he will only have enough Spirit Orbs left to obtain a total of 27 hearts. In The Champions' Ballad DLC pack, Link can obtain four extra Spirit Orbs that he can exchange for another Heart Container.
By visiting the Horned Statue in Hateno Village, Link can exchange his Heart Containers for Stamina Vessels and vice versa. This is achieved by selling either a Heart Container or a Stamina Vessel to the Horned Statue in exchange for 100 Rupees. The Horned Statue then allows Link can then buy one of either item at a higher price of 120 Rupees. This allows Link to change how he spent his Spirit Orbs at the total cost of 20 Rupees for each conversion.
Heart Containers Summary
| Game | Initial Life Gauge | Obtained from Bosses | Found / Purchased | Formed by Pieces of Heart | Maximum Life Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda | 3 | 8 | 5 | — | 16 |
| The Adventure of Link | 4 | — | 4
|
— | 8 |
| A Link to the Past | 3 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 20 |
| Link's Awakening | 3 | 8 | — | 3 | 14 |
| Ocarina of Time | 3 | 8 | — | 9 | 20 |
| Majora's Mask | 3 | 4 | — | 13 | 20 |
| Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages | 3
|
8 | 0
|
3 | 14
|
| Four Swords | 6 | — | 2 or 8
|
— | 8
|
| The Wind Waker | 3 | 6 | — | 11 | 20 |
| Four Swords Adventures | 4 | — | 2 to 4
|
— | 6 to 8
|
| The Minish Cap | 3 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 20 |
| Twilight Princess | 3 | 8 | — | 9 | 20 |
| Phantom Hourglass | 3 | 7 | 6 | — | 16 |
| Spirit Tracks | 3 | 5 | 8 | — | 16 |
| Skyward Sword | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | 18
|
| A Link Between Worlds | 3 | 10 | — | 7 | 20 |
| Tri Force Heroes | 9 | — | — | — | 9
|
| Breath of the Wild | 3 | 4 | 23
|
— | 30 |
Tears of the Kingdom
Other Appearances
The Faces of Evil
Link begins with three Life Hearts in The Faces of Evil, gradually earning more as he completes tasks and defeats certain bosses. Life Hearts are obtained from the Fairies in Spearfish Falls, after defeating Goronu the first time, and from Kulvan's Daughter in Shipwreck Cliff.
The Wand of Gamelon
Zelda begins with three Life Hearts and earns more during her quest throughout The Wand of Gamelon. They are obtained from the Fairies in the Fairy Pool, after defeating the Iron Knuckle in Tykogi Tower, and after defeating Hektan in Dodomai Palace.
Zelda's Adventure
Zelda initially starts out with three Crystal Hearts in Zelda's Adventure, and earns more as she defeats the Shrine Keepers of Tolemac. Four Crystal Hearts can also be found hidden throughout the land.
Super Smash Bros.
- See SmashWiki's article on Heart Container for more information.
Heart Containers are healing items in Super Smash Bros.. When picked up, they reduce all damage to 0%. While they are healing, Fighters cannot be damaged by opponents. These Heart Containers derive their appearance from the Heart Containers in Ocarina of Time.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Heart Containers reappear as healing items in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Unlike their previous appearance in Super Smash Bros., Heart Containers only reduce 100% of damage to the Fighters who pick them up. Heart Containers also appear as Trophies. Like in Super Smash Bros., these Heart Containers derive their design from Ocarina of Time.
Trophy Information
| # | Trophy | First Game / Move | Description | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 |  Heart Container |
The Legend of Zelda 07/87 |
Heart Containers drift toward the ground slowly and replenish 100 percentage points of health. In The Legend of Zelda, these items beefed up Link's life meter; in most cases, Link found them in the possession of bosses or hidden in secret areas. Heart Containers are often scattered across the land in several fragments. | Play 100 VS Matches |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Heart Containers reappear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, serving a similar role as their previous iteration in Super Smash Bros. Melee. However, unlike their previous appearance, Fighters can now be damaged while being healed by Heart Containers. A Heart Container Trophy also appears. Heart Containers now resemble those in Twilight Princess.
Trophy Information
| # | Trophy | Significant Games | Description | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190 |  Heart Container |
The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess |
The best recovery item! Grab this and heal 100 percentage points of damage. It falls slowly, so it's best to grab it in midair. Damage recovery won't happen instantly, though, so try not to get launched while your damage is counting down. In the Legend of Zelda series, Heart Containers raise the player's maximum health. Bosses always have one in their possession. | Random |
Hyrule Warriors
Heart Containers are obtainable through Treasure Chests in Hyrule Warriors. When obtained, they add an additional Heart to a Warrior's health. They can also be obtained by completing the proper conditions in Adventure Mode Battles.
My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess
The eleventh puzzle in the Picross series and the fifth puzzle in the Mega Picross series depict a Heart Container.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Heart Containers reappear in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U with no functional change from their previous iteration. As before, a Heart Container Trophy is present. These Heart Containers now borrow their design from those in Skyward Sword.
Trophy Information
| # | Trophy | Appears in | Description | How to unlock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||
| 192 194 |
|
|
Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages Twilight Princess |
An important item in the Legend of Zelda series, this item would appear when you beat a boss and increase your life by one when collected. In Smash Bros., grabbing this will heal 100 points of damage. Grab it as it gently floats to the ground! | Random |
| Heart Container | |||||
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Heart Containers reappear again in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, behaving identically to their previous appearance. Like in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Heart Containers in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate share their design with those from Skyward Sword.
Cadence of Hyrule
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
As a result for completing the "The Lonely Goddess" Quest, the Warriors will receive a Heart Container, which permanently increases their maximum Hearts by three.[13]
Trivia
In the Japanese version of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the trophy for the Heart Container erroneously lists The Legend of Zelda: Oracle series as its debut. This error is also present in all versions of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
Nomenclature
 Names in Other Regions  | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Names | Meanings |
 Japanese |
| |
   ChineseTR | 心之容器 (Xīn Zhī Róngqì) (TotK) | |
 ChineseSI |
| |
 Dutch |
| |
 FrenchCA | Réceptacle de cœur (ST | ALBW | TotK)[42][43] | |
 FrenchEU |
| |
 German |
|
|
 Italian |
| |
 Korean |
| |
 PortugueseEU | N/A (ST) | |
 Russian |
|
|
 SpanishLA | Contenedor de corazón (ST | ALBW)[35][36] | |
 SpanishEU | Contenedor de corazón (ST | ALBW | TotK)[44] | |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | ||
Gallery
Heart Container artwork from The Legend of Zelda
Link finding a Heart Container from The Adventure of Link
Link obtaining a Heart Container from Ocarina of Time 3D
Link obtaining a Heart Container from Twilight Princess
Concept art of a Heart Container from Breath of the Wild
Heart Container artwork from Super Smash Bros.
A Heart Container as seen in-game from Super Smash Bros. Brawl
A Heart Container as seen in-game from Hyrule Warriors
Heart Container icon from Hyrule Warriors
A Heart Container as seen in Adventure Mode from Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
A Heart Container as seen in-game from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Heart Container render from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
A Heart Container from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 127 (TLoZ | TAoL | ALttP | LA | OoT | MM | OoS | OoA | FS | TWW | FSA | TMC | TP | PH | ST | SS | ALBW)
- ↑ "You got a Heart Container! Your life has increased by one and is also now fully replenished!" — N/A (Skyward Sword HD)
- ↑ "Heart Container
Your life force has been strengthened, increasing your maximum number of hearts by one." — Game Screen (Breath of the Wild) - ↑ "Heart Container
A rare item that restores some of the life force you lost to the gloom, increasing your maximum number of hearts by one." — Game Screen (Tears of the Kingdom) - ↑ "Pieces of Heart
Collect four Pieces of Heart to gain a new Heart Container, increasing your maximum health!" — Inventory (Cadence of Hyrule) - ↑ "Heart Container
An invaluable item to an adventurer, this will increase each character's maximum hearts." — Game Screen (Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity) - ↑ "First we have...this lovely heart-shaped stone!" — Pina (The Minish Cap)
- ↑ "Your health is measured in Life Hearts. The number of Life Hearts you currently have is shown in the upper left corner of the screen when you are walking around the island. Although you begin the game with only three hearts, there are ways to get more." (The Faces of Evil manual, pg. 7)
- ↑ "Your health is measured in Life Hearts. The number of Life Hearts you currently have is shown in the upper left corner of the screen when you are walking around the island. Although you begin the game with only three hearts, there are ways to get more." (The Wand of Gamelon manual, pg. 8)
- ↑ "Also, a legend tells of four red crystal hearts hidden somewhere in the land of Tolemac. Each time Zelda finds and grabs one, her Life Meter increases by one heart." (Zelda's Adventure manual, pg. 3)
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass — Prima Official Game Guide, Prima Games, pg. 8
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker — Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Games, pg. 15
- ↑ "Reward
Increased Hearts for All Characters: 3" — Map (Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity) - ↑ L'arte di una leggenda, Magazzini Salani, pg. 383
- ↑ "Hai ottenuto un portacuore!" — N/A (Majora's Mask 3D, Italian localization)
- ↑ "Hai ottenuto un Portacuore!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "Frammenti di cuore
Con 4 avrai un portacuore in più e il numero massimo di cuori aumenterà di uno!" — Gear (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Portacuore" — Inventory (Cadence of Hyrule, Italian localization)
- ↑ Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 123
- ↑ The Adventure of Link manual, Italian localization, Virtual Console version, pg. 5
- ↑ "Hai trovato un Portacuori!" — N/A (A Link to the Past, Italian localization)
- ↑ Enciclopedia di Hyrule, Magazzini Salani, pg. 127
- ↑ "Hai ottenuto un portacuori!" — N/A (Ocarina of Time 3D, Italian localization)
- ↑ "Hai ottenuto un Portacuori!" — N/A (The Wind Waker, Italian localization)
- ↑ A Link to the Past manual, pg. 33 Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 30
- ↑ Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Shogakukan, pg. 151
- ↑ "ハートのかけら
4つ集めるとハートの器になって
ハートの最大値が1つ増える" — Gear (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ Hyrule Encyclopedia, Ambit Ltd., pg. 129 (TLoZ)
- ↑ The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 48
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 21
- ↑ "Vous obtenez un réceptacle de cœur! Vous gagnez un cœur supplémentaire!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "Fragments de cœur
Trouvez-en 4 pour obtenir un nouveau réceptacle de cœur et gagner en vitalité." — Gear (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ 33.0 33.1 The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 22
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Encyclopedia, New Star Press, pg. 139
- ↑ "¡Has conseguido un contenedor de corazón!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "Pieza de corazón
Recoge 4 para obtener otro contenedor de corazón y recibir un corazón más." — Gear (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Herzcontainer:
Erweitert deine Energieleiste um ein Herz und füllt sie vollständig auf." — Tutorial (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition) - ↑ "Du hast einen Herzcontainer erhalten!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "Herzteil
Sammele vier, um einen Herzcontainer zu erhalten." — Gear (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "하트 조각
4개 모으면 생명의 그릇이 되어
하트의 최대치가 1개 늘어난다" — Gear (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Je wilt een van je extra hartjes voor 100 rupees aan me verkopen, ja?" — Horned Statue (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "Vous avez obtenu un réceptacle de cœur!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "Quart de cœur
Trouvez-en 4 pour obtenir un nouveau réceptacle de cœur et gagner en vitalité!" — Gear (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Piezas de corazón
Recoge 4 para conseguir otro contenedor de corazón y recibir un corazón más." — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
- Items
- Incomplete The Wind Waker sections
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- Incomplete Phantom Hourglass sections
- Incomplete Spirit Tracks sections
- Incomplete Cadence of Hyrule sections
- Health Restoring Items
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- Side Quests
- Items in The Legend of Zelda
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