What are the different game modes?

There are logic rules in place which prevent you from being locked out of progression and guaranteeing that you’ll be able to finish the game every time regardless of the distribution of items. The different game modes use different logic and assume different levels of game knowledge and ability.

Casual (NMG)

This mode requires no advanced knowledge about the game. It’s designed as if you were playing the original game for the first time.

The logic will prevent you from getting stuck anywhere regardless of how you use small keys within dungeons. However one small caveat - you will never be required to use a small key found in the second part of Desert Palace to unlock the door in the first part. Doing this could lead to a softlock.

Speed Runner

This mode may require knowledge of various techniques and minor glitches.

  • Bomb jumps (may be required in Ice Palace and Ganon’s Tower)
  • Fake flippers (allows access to Ice Palace, King Zora, Lake Hylia HP and the Hobo without Flippers)
  • Dungeon bunny revival (allows access to Ice Palace without the Moon Pearl)
  • Overworld bunny revival (allows access to Misery Mire and the nearby two chests without the Moon Pearl)
  • Super bunny (allows access to two chests in Dark World Death Mountain without the Moon Pearl)
  • Surfing bunny (allows access to Lake Hylia HP without the Moon Pearl)

In addition there are some other minor changes from Casual mode.

  1. The small key distribution within dungeons is less restrictive which means poor pathing can potentially lead to softlocks. However you are never required to gamble between one door or another.
  2. You no longer have the ability to see in dark rooms without the Lamp within the Light World (except for Sewers).
  3. You may be required to navigate through dark rooms without the Lamp within both the Light World and Dark World.

Glitched

This mode accounts for everything besides EG and semi-EG which are two extremely powerful glitches allowing you to walk through floors or under walls… and even reach the Triforce in under 2 minutes! This mode is very difficult and may require advanced knowledge of some other major glitches in addition to everything in Speedrunner mode.

  • Overworld YBA
  • Clipping out of bounds (underworld and overworld)
  • Screenwraps

These techniques allow you reach a multitude of locations with very few items. To learn more please see this guide

In addition some of the changes listed in the above section have been removed to allow this version to work correctly.

  • The fake dark world is no longer patched out and crystals always drop irrespective of pendant conflicts
  • Swamp Palace water levels do not drain when you exit the overworld screen (except for the first room)