Daily Debate: Which Rarely Used Dungeon Theme Would You Most Like to See Again?

Arguably since the release of A Link to the Past, the Zelda series has adopted specific themes for its myriad dungeons. And though the franchise is still experimenting with new motifs, it’s clear that the developers have their favorites — those themes that they just love to return to at the earliest opportunity. I mean, it just isn’t a Zelda game without a good, old-fashioned fire dungeon.  Similarly, each new entry is almost guaranteed to boast its own water and desert dungeon. Heck, I was shocked when I discovered Breath of the Wild lacked a proper forest dungeon!

That said, there are several dungeon motifs that the franchise has explored only a handful of times. Some have even been treated as straight-up one-offs up until now. Going back through the franchise in my head, I’m amazed by how few shadow-themed dungeons there are. There are certainly some locales that incorporate elements of Ocarina of Time’s Shadow Temple — Arbiter’s Grounds and Ancient Cistern immediately stick out in my mind. If you ask me, though, no subsequent dungeon has ever fully succeeded the Shadow Temple’s grimy, medieval-torture-chamber aesthetic. Priority No. 1 for the next mainline Zelda entry? Another shadow dungeon! In fact, you guys might as well throw two or three in there — make up for lost time, you know?

What about you, though? Skyward Sword took full advantage of its timeshift stone mechanic with not one, but two time-based dungeons! Is that something you’d particularly love to see again? Whatever scarcely-used dungeon theme you think most deserves a comeback, let us know in the comments below!