Zelda: Link's Awakening

Part 5 - Catfish's Maw Speedrun (Any%)

This is a page for Speedrunning Catfish's Maw in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Remake) for the Nintendo Switch. Read on for a speedrun walkthrough on finishing this dungeon on any%!

Getting to Catfish's Maw

Learning Manbo's Mambo

Estimated Time: 35:44 - 36:34

Outside the Angler's Tunnel, swim west and into the nearby opening. Remember to press A to make Link swim faster. Talk to Manbo and learn Manbo's Mambo from him.

Manbo

Entering Catfish's Maw

Estimated Time: 36:34 - 37:32

Go outside and back onto the area near the entrance of Angler's Tunnel where you can walk. Set the ocarina to X or Y and use Manbo's Mambo to warp to Seashell Mansion.

Jump off the ledge on the bottom right side, travel west past the boarblins, south then west around the stone blocks, then south before jumping into Martha's Bay. Swim south and find the small narrow path with circular ripples.

Ripples

Once on the ripples, press B to dive. Emerge on the other side to arrive at the entrance of Catfish's Maw.

Catfish's Maw Speedrun

Obtaining the Hookshot

Estimated Time: 37:32 - 41:37

Upon entering, go west two screens and defeat all the enemies in this room to unlock the door on the left. Enter through the door and make your way to the staircase to descend.

You can use dash jumps to get over the platforms quickly and ascend on the other side.

In this room, you only have to push the upper left and upper right blocks toward each other to make a small key appear.

Blocks

Pick up the small key and reload your autosave.

Back at the entrance, move two screens left again but this time, unlock the door on the upper part of the room and enter. Move two rooms up and defeat all three enemies here. to proceed onto the next room to battle Master Stalfos.

Master Stalfos

To defeat him quickly, plant a bomb near him and slash him when he is about to attack you. He should be defeated after three bomb explosions. Continue to the next room after he flees.

Go up one room and push away the block in the middle. Go left and immediately return to the previous room with sparks to reset the center block. Push the block again and proceed north. Return to the sparks room and step on the switch to open the door on the right. Enter through the door to face Master Stalfos once again.

Master Stalfos

Just follow the same strategy a while ago and he will flee again. Go back to the previous room.

Push the block and move to the northern room. Continue travelling north and enter the room on the top leftmost part.

You should defeat the three zols in this room to proceed. You can reach the third zol by breaking the pot in front of the locked door and pushing away the block on the left.

Block

Enter through the opened door and face Master Stalfos for the third time.

Master Stalfos

Repeat the same strategy to make him flee again. Reload your autosave afterwards.

Move three rooms left and go down the stairs. Ascend on the other side then continue to the left room where you will face Master Stalfos one last time.

Master Stalfos

Use the same strategy again and he will be defeated for good. Get the Hookshot that he will leave behind.

Hookshot

Reload your autosave again.

Obtaining the Nightmare Key

Estimated Time: 41:37 - 42:40

Equip the Hookshot and move two rooms west, three rooms north, one east, one north, west, and finally, north. You should end in the room with four water tektites. Dive down the area where the four torches intersect.

Torches

Swim to the left side and ascend. Hookshot the handle at the bottom of your screen and use the bridge to get to the other side. You can use hookshot again on the chest to get to it quickly. Open the chest and get the Nightmare Key.

Nightmare Key

Reload your autosave to return to the entrance.

Defeating Slime Eel

Estimated Time: 42:40 - 44:48

Move two screens west, three screens north, then east and descend on the stairs to the right side of your screen. Make your way to the other side and ascend.

Enter the room to the right and defeat all three stars to unlock the doors. Continue to the next room.

Continue east until you are in front of the large gap. Perform an angle skew so you can hookshot the upper rightmost block to get to the upper right area then hookshot again the block on your far left to get to the upper left area.

Walk a little further and enter the Nightmare Lair where you will face Slime Eel.

Slime Eel

Finish this battle quickly by waiting for Slime Eel's head to appear then using hookshot on it from the opposite end of the room. This will expose his weak spot. If you pull his head far enough, you can land at least 8 hits. Repeat this process and he should be defeated on the second time around.

After the battle, pick up the Heart Container that will appear. Continue to the next room and get the Wind Marimba to complete the dungeon.

Wind Marimba

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