If you’re looking to become a wealthy adventurer in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, you’ll need to figure out ways to fill your pockets with Rupees. As the main form of currency used in The Legend of Zelda series, Rupees are required to purchase items, upgrades, equipment, and much more. One thing for sure is that you’ll never have enough of them, so here are some helpful ways to earn Rupees in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.
The Different Types of Rupees
(Updated on August 1, 2024 – updated links and formatting)
Before we begin, it’s important to note that Rupees hold different values depending on their color. Gold Rupees are the most valuable, while Black Rupees (Rupoors) are a type you’ll want to keep out of your purse.
- Gold Rupee: 300 Rupees
- Silver Rupee: 100 Rupees
- Red Rupee: 20 Rupees
- Blue Rupee: Five Rupees
- Green Rupee: One Rupee
- Black Rupee (Rupoor): -10 Rupees
Sell Caught Bugs to Stritch
Early in the game, a choice method of farming Rupees is by using the Bug Net to catch various kinds of bugs and selling them to Strich at the Knight Academy. Not all bugs are valued equally, so be sure to keep an eye out for the highly prized bugs to earn the most Rupees.
- Deku Hornet: One Rupee
- Blessed Butterfly: Five Rupees
- Skyloft Mantis: 10 Rupees
- Woodland Rhino Beetle: 20 Rupees
- Volcanic Ladybug: 20 Rupees
- Sky Stag Beetle: 20 Rupees
- Lanayru Ant: 20 Rupees
- Starry Firefly: 30 Rupees
- Gerudo Dragonfly: 30 Rupees
- Faron Grasshopper: 40 Rupees
- Eldin Roller: 40 Rupees
- Sand Cicada: 50 Rupees
Sell Bird Feathers at the Night Market (Rupin’s Home)
Bugs aren’t the only creatures you can catch with your Bug Net in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD. If you notice any birds flying about or idly perched nearby, you can capture them and sell their feathers for a decent profit of 20 Rupees at the Night Market. If you’re extra lucky, you might spot and snatch a blue bird, which can be sold for a hefty 100 Rupees.
Sell Up to Four Excess Materials at the Night Market
Bear in mind that you can also sell any excess materials you have in your inventory. Rupin is willing to purchase up to four materials at random, so be sure to check back constantly to earn Rupees off the materials you want to sell.
Earn Rupees by Playing Minigames
Thrill Digger
Beneath the Eldin Volcano, you’ll find Thrill Digger, a minigame similar to Minesweeper. Here players can dig up Rupees but must be careful not to trigger any bombs. This is an absolutely terrific place to farm Rupees; however, keep in mind that bombs are needed to gain access to this minigame.
Clean Cut Challenge
Over on Bamboo Island, the Clean Cut Challenge lets players earn up to 30 Rupees with an extra chance to receive various treasures depending on the number of cuts they’ve skillfully performed.
Skydiving Roulette
This minigame can yield you as much as 500 Rupees in prizes. To unlock Skydiving Roulette, you’ll have to have reached the Isle of Songs inside the Thunderhead and fixed the friendly robot, Scrapper.
Boss Rush
If you’re closer to the endgame of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, you’ll probably want a challenge that will net you a good deal of Rupees. The best minigame for this would be the Boss Rush in the Lightning Round minigame. Here you can earn up to a mindblowing 9,900 Rupees, but you must take into account that you’ll need the Tycoon wallet along with all the upgrades for your money pouch.
Miscellaneous Methods of Earning Rupees
Rupees are abundant in the world of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD if you know where to look. Early on, after you’ve acquired the Digging Mitts, you can dig up any soft spots in the soil for a small reward. Breaking objects can be as profitable as it is cathartic, as you can make some extra pocket change from destroying pots, skulls, or even grass. In addition, you can take advantage of the Dowsing technique, which uses the Goddess Sword’s peculiar properties.
Via the first-person view, hold the sword to discover hidden Rupees and even Goddess Cubes — a treasure worth a whopping 300 Rupees! Finally, keep on the lookout for a swarm of Blessed Butterflies hovering around an area when delving into dungeons. Using the Goddess Harp, you must play it next to these butterflies to reveal a Goddess Wall. If you draw a Rupee symbol on this wall, you’ll be granted different 10 colored Rupees.
