The Legend of Zelda: Mirror of Worlds

After announcing that Zelda: Perils of Darkness would be his final Zelda 1 hack, The3Dude said he felt his legacy was complete. But some creators refuse to fade!!! That urge for something new, that itch that only Zelda can scratch, led to one more secret project.

And thus, The Legend of Zelda: Mirror of Worlds was born!

Created in secret for months, The3Dude slowly learned how to ASM hack… Through ASM, he achieved what was once thought impossible. For the first time, there is no Quest 2. Instead, every byte of available space has been harnessed through ASM to create an entirely new gameplay system, the “Mirror of Worlds” mechanic. The data once used for the Recorder (Flute) has been completely hijacked to trigger new in-game behaviors and transformations, acting as a mysterious (SPOILERS)!

Because of this breakthrough, Mirror of Worlds combines all of Zelda 1’s Quest 2 data into a single massive playthrough, utilizing the full potential of the game’s memory. The3Dude also removed the original game’s save file wipe that occurred after finishing Quest 1, meaning that pressing Start at the credits no longer erases your save file to boot a Quest 2 that no longer exists. Now, you can keep your hard-earned save file as a badge of honor (and bragging rights, of course).

While Mirror of Worlds features an overworld that matches the size of the original game, this adventure is a very dungeon-centric, Metroidvania, and Zelda Formula-style journey. You’ll explore, uncover secrets, and search for clues leading to the next dungeon, each designed with a deliberate item progression. Some dungeons don’t even hold a traditional “Triforce” piece (replaced by the Sages’ Crystals in this hack). Instead, your reward may be a crucial item required to progress elsewhere. But don’t be mistaken. There are still eight Triforce-type MacGuffins you’ll need to enter the final dungeon.

Heart Pieces also make their return in this entry. Two are hidden in every dungeon, and if you dare to miss even one… You may find yourself unable to obtain something that isn’t required, but is very useful!

This hack introduces numerous enhancements, features, and refinements, all crafted with the same love, polish, and attention to detail that many have come to expect from The3Dude’s work.