Zelda 1 - The complete walkthrough of Quest 1 (Zelda I NES mini)
Overworld Map of Quest 1 from The Legend Of Zelda

First of all, here is the link to the overworld map. In the walkthrough, I will often refer to the map (for example H4 is the "square" of Level 1). By the way, for the devoted Battleship fans, Zelda fans love to launch their ships from the iconic locations of Zelda 1 and H4 is one of them. If you want to know why you are fighting, go check out the prologue.

At the start of the game, Link has no sword. Luckily, an old man gives you the wooden sword in the cave nearby. Once equipped, Link is ready to save the world and can head to H4 where the entrance to the 1st dungeon (the Eagle Palace) is hidden inside a tree.

Well done, you found the first Triforce fragment. If the game gives you some trouble, go get the available heart containers. Otherwise, head to Dungeon 2 (Moon Palace) located at M4.

You now have the second Triforce piece and a fifth heart, which allows you to go get the white sword. Now go get the blue candle and the magic shield (not mandatory). I also recommend getting the first 3 hearts and the letter. You can then head to Dungeon 3 (Manji Palace) located at E8.

First of all, I recommend getting the power bracelet. It allows you to use the 4 secret passages of the overworld. I also recommend taking the one a square to the left of the bracelet (D3) to get to N2. Go get the heart at P3, the rupees at P1 if you have fewer than 155 (you need to cross the wall at P2) and the white sword at K1. Try to get 255 rupees (for example in Level 2 or by visiting the "earn rupees" squares shown below the map) and go to E4 to buy the blue ring. Now head to F6 and take the raft to enter Dungeon 4, the Snake Palace, where the blue candle is almost essential.

With the ladder obtained in Dungeon 4, you can go get the last heart at P6. Passing through P7 (just below the heart), buy a wooden arrow — it will come in very handy later. Then, if you have already bought or collected all the items and hearts mentioned so far in this Zelda 1 walkthrough, head to L2 and go north 4 times (don't worry, you fall back to L2 the first 3 times) to arrive at L1. This is the entrance to Dungeon 5, the Lizard Palace. You can also enter through the small staircase in the upper right; I recommend arriving with at least 100 rupees to buy extra bombs inside the dungeon.

To reach the next level, nothing extra is needed, but if you have 12 hearts (or more), go get the magic sword in the graveyard (at B3). Make sure you have the magic shield as enemies will be particularly stubborn and hard to defeat without this precious item. The bow will be completely mandatory for the boss, but we'll come back to that. Head to Dungeon 6, the Dragon Palace, located in the northwest at C3.

Once this palace is done, Link will need to buy some bait — I recommend getting it at E4 where it is cheapest (this is where you bought the blue ring). Dungeon 7 (Demon Palace) awaits you under the lake at C5, which must be drained using the whistle (the flute). If you want 4 extra bombs, bring 100 rupees (with Stalfos and Ropes, 80 might be enough).

Just one more Triforce piece to go — you should be very well equipped by now, so there is only one thing left to do: go get that fragment in Dungeon 8, the Lion Palace. It is located at N7, under the tree planted in the middle of the path.

All Triforce pieces are now yours. Ganon awaits you in his palace. Before facing the final dangers of this quest, equip yourself with a red potion — it could always come in handy ;). Once you have it, head to Death Mountain: the 9th and final dungeon.

The game is now complete. Go see the epilogue or dive into the second quest walkthrough.