Shovel

The Shovel is a recurring item in the Legend of Zelda series. This handy tool allows Link to dig holes in the ground to uncover treaures such as hearts, Rupees and various other things. Strangely, in some games, it can flip over spiked enemies, like the shield if the correct timing is applied. Interestingly, it has only appeared in games with a top-down perspective.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Shovel is given to Link by the transformed flute-playing boy in the Haunted Grove in the Dark World. The flute-playing boy asks Link to retrieve his Flute, which he buried safely in the same location in the Light World, with the help of the Shovel. After Link uncovers the flute, it replaces the Shovel in his inventory &mdash; however, in the Game Boy Advance port of the game, Link can keep the Shovel, since the game's menu has four more item slots.

There is also a digging mini-game found south of the Village of Outcasts in the Dark World. Here, Link is allowed, for a fee, to rent a Shovel and dig as many holes as he can muster within a time limit. A Piece of Heart can be found in a random dig spot.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The Shovel can be purchased in the Mabe Village Shop for the price of 200 Rupees. It is needed to dig up the Slime Key in Pothole Field, and some of the Secret Seashells needed to acquire the L-2 Sword.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
In both Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, the Shovel looks exactly the same. The Shovel is necessary to advance in the game, and is also useful to uncover soil for planting Gasha Seeds.

In Oracle of Ages, the Shovel is given to Link by a worker in Ambi's Tower, who mistakes Link for one of his fellow employees. It is necessary to clear the dirt from the entrance to Maku Path.

In Oracle of Seasons, the Shovel is given to Link by Holly, who lives near Snake's Remains. She "hires" Link to clear the snow blocking the way to her house after he enters the house via the chimney during Winter.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
The Shovel can be used to uncover hidden passages in the game. It can also be used to clear and uncover dirt covering fumaroles.