Controls, transformations, automatic battles and saving

Basic inputs

The 3 forms and their uses

• Not all transformations are available from the start. Advance the medicine and hot-spring story events first.

What to check when you cannot win

1. Where B lets you pause battle, choose healing or retreat. B is also used in the mammoth and Delarin battles to use required items.
2. Check that your sword and shield are upgraded and that your current form can use them. Stones raise stats; defeating regular enemies does not earn experience.
3. Collect the Life, Power and Speed Stones in the same section. Heal your Life before touching an enemy too.
4. Check each opponent's specific requirements, such as the centipede's tail or the Saw for haunted trees.
5. The snake at the hot-spring entrance and the first mammoth fight are scenes where defeat is required for progression. Complete the necessary events before moving to the next destination.

Diary and resuming

1. Select Write in diary from the Diary and save in one of 2 slots. Keeping separate records before and after entering the palace makes it easier to review your progress.
2. Read the diary summary to check the current events. Day headings mark progression stages; the walkthrough does not ask you to wait 33 real days.
3. After falling, you restart at the town hospital without losing money or items. Your Life may not be fully restored, so heal before the next battle.
4. The 3DS Virtual Console's full-state backup is separate from the in-game Diary. Follow your system's instructions rather than confusing them with the original button controls.

Locate yourself on the Map

The Map shows the whole kingdom on the field and the rooms you have entered in the palace. White palace rooms have been visited, and stars mark story landmarks. Compare this article's progression with your current in-game location.