About ZHelper
ZHelper is a mapping program designed to be used with Fred Coughlin's Zelda Randomizer. Version 5 is a complete rewrite with new features and vastly improved compatibility and performance. It is entirely built using GameMaker. The source project files are included in the download, so feel free to mess with it, use it on your stream, or whatever as long as you're not doing something illegal with it.
Screenshots
Click on a screenshot to view a larger version.
ZHelper 5 Features
- A detailed, markable overworld map showing where default secrets are, with support for all randomizer modes and even custom map images!
- A dungeon map system designed to be able to mark even very complicated random dungeon layouts in detail
- Automatic narrowing-down of which dungeons a given dungeon map can be as you mark dungeon screens (only if race mode is OFF)
- Markers for things like triforce pieces, heart containers, dungeon blockers, shop items and prices and all dungeon/overworld items
- A screen to mark helpful hints given by the old man
- A built-in timer that keeps track of how long you spent on each level as well as the overworld complete with an export function for showing the data on stream
- Advanced hotkeys including modifiers (shift, alt, ctrl)
- The ability to reorder and toggle on/off most types of icons to suit your preferences
- Tracker preset support
- Redesigned UI with higher-resolution icons and custom theme support that is easy to customize using a simple config file. A bunch of themes in both dark and light mode UI are included by default
- Greatly improved performance and compatibility from moving to modern GameMaker. No more sluggish 45fps scrolling!
Some currently planned features (subject to change):
- (In progress) Networking support like v4 had, but no longer requiring two instances of ZHelper to be running
- Touch-compatible UI for an eventual Android version
- Dashboard-style UI for showing almost all info at once on a full monitor
- Run Summary screen built into the tracker itself with data on level clear times, item acquisition, etc.
- Broadcast view for easily showing only the most relevant data on stream
- (In progress) Built-in theme editor
Supported Operating Systems
Being built in GameMaker, ZHelper should be able to run on just about anything GameMaker has support for, although touchscreen support is still not included. I currently make both Windows and Ubuntu Linux builds for each release. I don't have a Mac to build for Mac or iOS myself, but with the current free GameMaker license, you can open the included project and build it for Mac or any other supported OS without much trouble.
Web Version
If you'd like to test out ZHelper in your browser, there is an HTML5 version available here.
Note: The HTML5 version does have a few known issues, mostly with loading and saving tracker data!
Download/Latest Changelog
You can download the current stable version of ZHelper 5 below:
v5.00.07-Windows - Linux (08/02/25)
- Added 'don't want' item box flags. Set using Shift+RMB/MMB. The existing X icon will also set it for Z-Tracker compat..
- Added checkboxes to the hints tab for the 'No feat of strength' and 'Sail not' hints. They dim affected OW screens.
- Fixed the missing use hotkeys checkbox.
Feeling adventurous and want to help test the latest features? You can download the newest beta version of ZHelper 5 below:
Beta v5.00.12-Windows - Linux (09/07/25)
NOTE: This is a critical update to fix a save corruption bug in 5.00.11. Update ASAP!
- Fixed a wrong number causing only half the dungeon flags to be saved. All saves created or saved in v5.00.11 are affected. They will now load, but will be missing the 2nd half of the dungeon danger flags.
It is highly recommended that you check out the manual/help page, even if you've used ZHelper before, as many things have been changed over time.
Still need version 4? (No longer updated!)
Here's the latest v4 release in case you need it for networking purposes. If you aren't using networking, I HIGHLY recommend using v5 as this build has multiple known major bugs and is no longer supported. v5 can import your v4 hotkey and option configuration so you don't have to set them back up again!
(NOTE: The GMS2 build was built in Gamemaker Studio 2 for better compatibility with newer versions of Windows. It might have bugs that aren't in the GMS 1.4 build!)
v4.45 (GMS 1.4 Build) (GMS2 Build) (01/06/20)
If you're looking for the tournament stream version, you can grab it here. It includes instructions in the readme. Its very stripped down compared to the normal ZHelper 4.
Help
Here are the manuals for v5 and v4. They should explain everything you need to know.
Privacy
You can view the Privacy Policy here (Last updated 09/12/25).
Credits
- Nintendo for making Zelda 1.
- Fred Coughlin for making the Zelda Randomizer.
- Thank you to everyone who has helped with their suggestions, testing, and feedback over the course of ZHelper's development! This thing wouldn't be in its current state without your help!
