In the original The Legend of Zelda for the NES, discovering hidden secrets is a core part of the game’s appeal. Among the most iconic mechanics is burning bushes with the Candle item, which reveals hidden staircases, secret shops, heart containers, and even essential paths. These burnable bushes are scattered throughout the overworld, and players often spend hours testing each one in hopes of revealing a secret. For newcomers and seasoned adventurers alike, understanding how burnable bushes work and where to find them can make a big difference in your journey through Hyrule.
How the Candle Works
To interact with burnable bushes in Zelda 1, players need the Candle item. There are two versions of the Candle:
- Blue Candle: Can be used once per screen. Found in a shop early in the game.
- Red Candle: Allows unlimited use per screen. Found in Level 7.
The Candle shoots a short flame in the direction Link is facing. If that flame hits a burnable bush, it will disappear in a puff of smoke, sometimes revealing a hidden entrance. Because the Blue Candle is limited in use, players must re-enter a screen to try another bush. This adds a level of trial and error, especially in areas with many trees or shrubs.
What Are Burnable Bushes?
Burnable bushes are environmental objects found throughout the overworld that can be destroyed with the Candle’s flame. Unlike regular trees or objects, these bushes are coded to disappear and trigger a change usually a hidden staircase. However, only specific bushes on each screen are burnable. Most others are just decorative and will not respond to fire.
Here’s what burnable bushes typically hide:
- Secret Rupee rooms
- Old Men offering heart containers
- Hidden dungeons or shortcuts
- Rooms with items for sale or trade
Some screens have no burnable bushes at all, while others contain multiple, but only one will react to the Candle. Because the game gives no clues on which bush is the correct one, experimentation or external guides are often needed.
Most Notable Burnable Bush Locations
Near Level 8 (Spectacle Rock)
To the west of Level 8 lies a screen with a single row of bushes near a cliff wall. One of them hides a secret shop with key items. Many players stumble on this by accident while exploring nearby.
South of the Starting Area
Several screens south of the starting location contain bushes that reveal rupee rooms and heart containers. These are some of the most rewarding finds early in the game, especially for boosting Link’s survivability before entering Level 2 or 3.
Lost Woods Perimeter
On the outskirts of the Lost Woods area, a few burnable bushes hide shortcuts and rupee stashes. This area is tricky due to dense forest layout, making it difficult to isolate each bush with the limited Blue Candle use.
Eastern Beach Zones
Near the coastline, players can find bushes that hide bonus item shops. These are useful for replenishing bombs or purchasing bait, especially before facing dungeon bosses that require those tools.
Central Plains
In the flat regions between Levels 4 and 5, bushes are sparsely placed but sometimes hide heart containers. Because this region is accessible fairly early, it’s often overlooked by players who don’t return with the Candle.
Tips for Burning Bushes Efficiently
Burning every bush manually can be time-consuming, but there are strategies to make the process more efficient:
- Use the Red Candle if Available: Once obtained, you can test every bush on a screen without exiting and reentering, making the search faster.
- Look for Odd Placement: Bushes that stand out or break symmetrical patterns often hide secrets.
- Mark Screens: Keep track of which screens you’ve already tested. A simple drawing or digital map can help prevent repetition.
- Check for Enemy Difficulty: Screens with tougher enemies sometimes hint that a valuable secret is nearby.
Some burnable bushes are located in seemingly empty or forgotten parts of the map. These are often the ones that hide the most significant rewards, like extra heart containers or dungeon entrances.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Burnable bushes are a clever mechanic, but many players fall into certain traps while searching for them:
- Wasting Candle Charges: With the Blue Candle, it’s easy to burn the wrong bush and have to leave the screen to try again. Be strategic in your targeting.
- Assuming All Bushes Burn: Only specific bushes can be destroyed. If nothing happens, it doesn’t mean the Candle is broken it just means that bush is inactive.
- Missing the Hidden Stairs: Sometimes a staircase appears behind Link or outside the camera’s center view. Always look around after burning a bush.
- Ignoring Remote Screens: Many players stay near the main paths. The best secrets are often hidden in corners or behind cliffs requiring bombs or ladders.
Why Burnable Bushes Are Important
While optional in many cases, burnable bushes are essential for 100% completion. Some heart containers and rupee rooms are only accessible through them. In addition, uncovering these secrets is part of the game’s reward loop testing the environment, unlocking hidden content, and gaining powerful tools earlier than expected.
In the days before walkthroughs, players shared burnable bush locations through word of mouth, magazine tips, or by marking maps with pen and paper. Today, the nostalgia of discovering one for the first time still brings joy to retro gamers.
Recommended Screens to Check First
If you’re trying to be efficient or limited on Candle uses, these screens are among the most rewarding or easiest to test early:
- Screen west of the starting pointContains a hidden rupee room.
- Southwest forest screenFeatures a burnable bush leading to a secret shop.
- East of Level 3 entranceOne bush reveals a stairway with a heart container.
- North of Lake HyliaHidden merchant room useful for potion refills.
Start with these areas before expanding your search further. They provide the most benefit for the least effort, especially before you have the Red Candle.
Burnable bushes in The Legend of Zelda are more than just a gameplay gimmick they are a fundamental part of the game’s sense of mystery and discovery. Mastering the use of the Candle and knowing where to search transforms a standard adventure into a treasure hunt filled with secrets, upgrades, and shortcuts. Whether you’re playing for nostalgia or completing the game for the first time, tracking down every burnable bush remains a satisfying and rewarding challenge in the world of Hyrule.