Navigating Koholint: Your Guide After Catfish’s Maw in Link’s Awakening

So, you’ve just emerged victorious from the murky depths of Catfish’s Maw, the fifth dungeon in Link’s Awakening. Congratulations! But the island of Koholint still holds many secrets, and your quest to awaken the Wind Fish is far from over. The immediate answer: Head north from Animal Village. Specifically, look for the narrow path leading along the water’s edge, just north of the staircase you used to initially reach Animal Village. As you traverse this path, the wise old owl will appear, hinting that you need to visit the Ancient Ruins to the south.

Charting Your Course: The Path to Dungeon 6

Your next major objective is to conquer the Face Shrine, the sixth dungeon. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the journey:

1. Return to Animal Village: If you aren’t already there, use Manbo’s Mambo to fast travel. It’s the quickest way to get back to Animal Village from just about anywhere!

2. Northward Bound: Leave Animal Village and head north. You’ll find a narrow path bordering the water, situated north of the stairs leading into Animal Village. This path hasn’t been previously explored, so keep an eye out for new enemies and secrets.

3. Owl’s Guidance: The owl, a recurring guide in Link’s Awakening, will appear on this path. He’ll direct you towards the Ancient Ruins, which lie to the south. Listen closely to his advice; it’s crucial for progressing the story.

4. The Ancient Ruins Await: Follow the owl’s instructions and journey south towards the Ancient Ruins. Be prepared to face some challenging enemies along the way. The Ruins themselves are a labyrinthine area.

5. Acquiring the Face Key: Within the Ancient Ruins, you must solve puzzles and defeat enemies to obtain the Face Key. This key is essential for unlocking the Face Shrine.

6. Unlocking the Face Shrine: Locate the Face Shrine. You must then enter the underwater cave, utilizing the Hookshot to traverse the gap. Proceed along the right side and then place the newly acquired Face Key into the keyhole. This will reveal the entrance to the Face Shrine, or Dungeon 6.

7. Entering the Face Shrine: Retrace your steps down a screen, go up the steps, and finally, step inside the Face Shrine. Prepare for the challenges that await within!

Essential Items and Preparations

Before venturing into the Face Shrine, make sure you’re adequately prepared:

• Hookshot: You obtained this within Catfish’s Maw. Its ability to latch onto distant objects is essential for traversing gaps and solving puzzles within the Face Shrine.

• Sword and Shield: Standard equipment, but crucial for combat. Make sure your shield is equipped at all times to defend against enemy attacks.

• Bombs: Useful for uncovering secrets and defeating certain enemies.

• Arrows: The Bow and Arrow can be very beneficial.

• Heart Containers: Collect as many Heart Containers as possible to increase your health.

• Magic Meter: Make sure you’ve upgraded your magic meter if possible.

What Lies Ahead?

After conquering the Face Shrine, your journey continues towards the Eagle’s Tower (Dungeon 7). You’ll need to find the Bird Key to access this dungeon. Your path will lead you through the Signpost Maze and eventually to the Mountain Tower location. However, one thing at a time! First concentrate on the Face Shrine, but be aware Marin will disappear for a while but will reappear on a rotting bridge in Tal Tal Heights when you’re heading to Eagle Tower.

FAQs: Lingering Questions Answered

Here’s a collection of Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify your path after the Catfish’s Maw:

1. Where is Marin after Dungeon 5?

After completing the Catfish’s Maw, Marin vanishes temporarily. She resurfaces in the mountains after you’ve finished the seventh dungeon (Eagle’s Tower) and are en route to the eighth (Turtle Rock). Once you complete the eighth, she returns to Mabe Village for the remainder of the game. But after dungeon 6, Marin can be found in some distress on a rotting bridge in Tal Tal Heights, the same region where gamers will have rescued Bow Wow after the first dungeon.

2. What is the order of dungeons in Link’s Awakening?

The dungeon order is as follows: 1) Tail Cave, 2) Bottle Grotto, 3) Key Cavern, 4) Angler’s Tunnel, 5) Catfish’s Maw, 6) Face Shrine, 7) Eagle’s Tower, 8) Turtle Rock, and 9) Color Dungeon (optional).

3. How do I get to Dungeon 7 (Eagle’s Tower)?

After completing the Face Shrine, you must find the Bird Key. This involves navigating the Signpost Maze and reaching the Mountain Tower location, where the Eagle’s Tower awaits.

4. What is the sixth dungeon in Link’s Awakening?

The sixth dungeon is the Face Shrine, located within the Ancient Ruins.

5. What is the key item in Catfish’s Maw?

The key item found within the Catfish’s Maw is the Hookshot.

6. What do I do with the Face Key?

The Face Key is used to unlock the entrance to the Face Shrine, the sixth dungeon.

7. What is the Pineapple used for in Link’s Awakening?

The Pineapple is part of the Trading Quest. You receive it from Chef Bear in Animal Village in exchange for the Honeycomb and give it to Papahl in Tal Tal Heights.

8. What is the Mermaid Scale used for?

The Mermaid Scale is obtained from Martha the Mermaid in exchange for her missing Necklace. It is used to complete a statue in Martha’s Bay.

9. Where is Dungeon 6 located?

The Face Shrine (Dungeon 6) is located south of the narrow path you take to the Ancient Ruins, accessible after obtaining the Face Key from within the ruins. Basically, go all the way east from the starting location and head north until you spot the cave entrance. The Sixth Dungeon is located just outside the Hyrule Graveyard on the western part of the map.

10. What happens to Marin at the end of Link’s Awakening?

At the end of the game, the fate of Koholint Island and its inhabitants depends on your actions and the ending you achieve. In some endings, Marin’s dream of becoming a seagull comes true, symbolized by her flying by with wings.

11. How many dungeons are there in Link’s Awakening?

There are a total of nine dungeons in Link’s Awakening: eight mandatory dungeons and one optional Color Dungeon.

12. Who is the boss of Catfish’s Maw?

The boss of the Catfish’s Maw is the Slime Eel.

13. Why is a pink ghost following me?

The Ghost begins following Link after completing the Angler’s Tunnel, requesting to be taken back to his house.

14. What is the Trading Quest?

The Trading Quest is a series of item exchanges that leads to obtaining a specific item needed to progress the story.

15. What do I do with the Yoshi Doll?

The Yoshi Doll is the first item in the Trading Quest. You give it to Mamasha in Mabe Village, who gives you the Ribbon in return.

Concluding Thoughts

The journey through Link’s Awakening is full of twists, turns, and unexpected encounters. By understanding the path ahead and preparing yourself with the necessary items and knowledge, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer the challenges that await and ultimately awaken the Wind Fish. Good luck on your quest!

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