Kotaku 
Apr 4, 2006 1:22 PM
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Yesterday, we featured a tool-enabled Zelda speed run. A Kotaku reader pointed us to another speed run, this one done by fella named Mike "TSA" Damiani without emulators and tools. After Mike finished his run, he had this to say, "However, honest to god - I am not doing this game again. I've had it with this game. I love playing it when I can max out Link early on and destroy levels like a joke. But the speed run of this game is just so demanding and stressing. I do not see myself having the desire to get this game out to try again." Sure, Mike's tool-free run might be slower, but he did it on skill alone. And he was cool enough to give a how-to, which is after the jump.
Travel to Level 3: Bomb drop from Blue Octorok can be annoying as a start of a run because it can fail to work several times. I always went for the closest one, and tried to only kill it and get the bombs from it to save time fighting any other enemies.
Level 3 - Manji: Pretty straight forward. Red Darknut room before Raft I tried to be as efficient with bombs (no more than 3). Got Manhandla in one bomb and got the bomb drop.
Travel to Level 4: Gamble time. I pick the middle because it is the closest and fastest option. Get Blue Candle then and head to level.
Level 4 - Snake: Bomb time. I try to knock Vires out of the way. I mess up in the first room, I should have stayed right and hit the one Vire out of the way. Got nice bomb drops from Vire room before Stepladder and Gleeok chamber. Stepladder room I had an issue with one Like Like, but it went alright other than that.
Travel to Level 2: Get the HC and 100 rupees. Had an issue right before Level 2 with going back to kill a pointless Red Octorok.
Level 2 - Moon: Overall I think I did very well except for the Moldorms. I missed them with one bomb, but using an extra one paid off with a drop. Took out the Ropes pretty nicely, and the Goriyas at the end. Took down Dodongo with 1 bomb.
Travel to Level 5: I was short on rupees, so I chose to get the 30 rupees from Armos cave at the cost of no item switch or bombs. The Blue Lynel didn't cooperate like I wanted on way to White Sword, but I probably could have been more bold. I wanted to preserve the laser shot for Level 5.
Level 5 - Lizard: Probably my worst dungeon. I had rotten luck with the Gibdos, they bunched around the bomb carrying one, so I just tried to slay them all quickly, but it still cost seconds. The first Blue Darknut battle didn't start off well, but it finished up better with bombs. Last Darknut was a moron for running away. The second one, for some crazy reason, I didn't use any bombs when I should have used them. Overall, I think I realistically could cut the most time on this dungeon if I could do it over. Took damage from a Gibdo on way to Digdogger, so I was down to one hit. Got the two bombs to knock out Digdogger instantly.
Travel to Level 1: Pretty straight forward, got HC.
Level 1 - Eagle: I get hit a few times and I lost some time as a result, but the double bomb drop at the end by the Goriyas saved this attempt and persuaded me to keep going (the rather average Level 5 and the stupid hits in this level were almost ready to make me slam the GCN). Then I promptly get hit by Aquamentus because it decides to move in the wrong direction, but still not that costly because I used the stand below his head method.
Travel to Level 7: I got the Bait and Arrows, then went to Level 7, but took a half heart damage to lose the laser. Ouch.
Level 7 - Demon: Bunch of damage taken, but I ripped through this level and got the bomb drop I needed. I took out one Dodongo for a bomb replenish. Used arrows on Wallmasters because bubbles swarmed me too quickly. Aquamentus went down faster this time.
Travel to Level 6: Get the Magical Sword, preserve health.
Level 6 - Dragon: Thank you clocks. Yeah, let me explain something really quick that I should have earlier on. I can't "see" Wizzrobes sometimes on my screen because I can't watch or capture in 60fps on my PC. So if you really want to get into it, I beat this game with a handicap. That's why I get hit like an apparent idiot in some places. Last Wizzrobe room I had to fight in went really well. Gohma went down quickly, despite moving to the side.
Travel to Level 8: Nothing spectacular.
Level 8 - Lion: I just went all out in fighting. Took damage to save time rather than waiting. Not a particularly good Gleeok battle, but oh well. Anyone notice I walked away from a bomb? This would have saved me probably 10 seconds...
Travel to Level 9: ...because I waste time killing Blue Lynels for the bomb drop. But I preserved my life.
Level 9 - Death Mountain: I thought it went well. The last Patra battle could have been quicker. I could have closed in on the first Patra I had to fight to take it out faster. Pretty darn good Wizzrobe fights. Best Ganon battle I've ever had.
Find the Clip Here [SpeedDemosArchieve] Thanks, ReverendTed!
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