Hookshot

The Hookshot, also formatted as Hook Shot, is an item that appears in several The Legend of Zelda games, usually as a dungeon item. It first appears in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The Hookshot has a handle, which is usually blue, that allows Link to fire a spring-loaded chain with a hook or spearhead on the end.

The Hookshot allows Link to grapple onto certain nearby surfaces, objects, or enemies. Some scenarios require the Hookshot to be used, usually for moving across a pit or to safely cross a large obstacle. In the three-dimensional games, Link can frequently use the Hookshot to grapple onto higher areas, and a certain icon is displayed if the object or enemy can be grappled. The Longshot is an upgrade over the Hookshot, because it has a longer reach.

Depending on the enemy or object, the Hookshot either functions as a grappling point or it brings that enemy or object over to Link. Certain enemies can be stunned by the Hookshot, while enemies such as Keese or Moblins can be defeated from it.

In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the Hookshot is replaced by the Clawshot, a similar item with a few differences, namely that it has a claw at the end instead of a hook.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, the Hookshot is the main item of the Swamp Palace. It can hook onto objects such as Treasure Chests, pots, and skulls. Link can also use the Hookshot to bring rupees and hearts to Link. Link cannot take damage while using the Hookshot. He can only aim the Hookshot in four directions. The Hookshot is required during the battle against Arrghus, as Link must use it to pull the Arrgi off the boss before attacking.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
In The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, the Hookshot is located in Catfish's Maw, guarded by the mini-boss, Master Stalfos. Link can obtain the Hookshot by defeating Master Stalfos. The Hookshot is required to defeat the dungeon's boss, Slime Eel. It is also required to complete the Signpost Maze. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is the last two-dimensional The Legend of Zelda game where Link uses the Hookshot and the last where Link can aim it in four directions.

In the Nintendo Switch remake, the Hookshot was redesigned with an orange handle and a flexible, black rope connecting to a large, silver arrowhead.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Link can obtain the Hookshot at Dampé's Grave as an adult, by winning against Dampé's ghost in a race. In his diary, Dampé states that he found a "keepsake" while digging the graves, which is revealed to be the Hookshot during the race. The Hookshot is only usable while Link is an adult.

The Hookshot is required to access the Forest Temple, the first dungeon that Link accesses as an adult. If Link uses it, the game switches to a first-person perspective. A red dot indicates that the Hookshot can cling on to the object, enemy, or surface it is pointing at. The Hookshot can cling on wooden surfaces. Link can use the Hookshot underwater if he also uses the Iron Boots. Even though Link is left-handed, he uses the Hookshot with his right hand. The game introduces the Longshot, which has a longer chain than the Hookshot.

In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, the player can move the Nintendo 3DS to control the aim of the Hookshot, through gyroscopic controls.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
A different, yellow-colored Hookshot appears in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. It has a longer chain than the Hookshot in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and its chain is about the length of the Longshot. Link can obtain the Hookshot in the Pirates' Fortress. According to a Fisherman, the Hookshot belonged to him, and he used it to catch fish until it was stolen by the Gerudo Pirates. The Hookshot is required for retrieving the Zora Eggs from the Pirates' Fortress and to access areas of Ikana Canyon. It now damages enemies instead of stunning them, while ReDeads and Gibdos simply act as grappling posts.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the Hookshot is the main item of the Wind Temple. To obtain it, Link must first defeat the dungeon mini-boss, an orange Wizzrobe. Unlike the Nintendo 64 games, when Link uses the Hookshot, a red dot is used as a pointer, but a yellow starburst is shown if the Hookshot can grab the object.

If Link uses the Hookshot while wearing the Iron Boots, Link can get a stronger pull on certain objects, such as statues, and pull them toward him. In the Wind Temple, Link is required to use both items together to free Makar from his cage. The Hookshot is required to fight the dungeon boss, Molgera, by grabbing its tongue, which pulls Link toward it and allows him to attack with his sword. Lastly, the Hookshot is required to climb up Ganon's Tower.

Super Smash Bros. series
The Hookshot is used as Link's grab and tether recovery in both Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. The item is also used by Young Link in Super Smash Bros. Melee, even though he does not use it in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Aside from having a shorter chain, Young Link's Hookshot is otherwise identical to Link's. Neither of their Hookshots can automatically target an edge, so they might miss while falling.

Starting with Super Smash Bros. Brawl onward, Link's Hookshot was replaced with the Clawshot. In the same game, Toon Link uses the Hookshot, which is based on its appearance in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. It is used similarly to Young Link's Hookshot from Super Smash Bros. Melee except Toon Link's Hookshot automatically targets an edge of a stage if he performs a tether recovery. Both Toon Link and Young Link retain their Hookshot recoveries in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Hookshot appears as a sticker. It can be used by any fighter, and it increases a weapon attack by four points.