Dungeon

Dungeon

File:Legend of zelda nes screenshot3.jpg
A dungeon entrance from The Legend of Zelda.

Games

Every Game

Dungeons appear in every single Zelda game in one form or another. Usually going through a dungeon follows a specific pattern: obtain a Map, Compass, and a Boss Key/Big Key in that order, obtaining small keys and a main dungeon item(s) along the way, then defeat a boss using said item, completing the said dungeon. Completing dungeons require puzzle solving and combat. The following is an outline of what dungeons are like in different games.

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda had 9 dungeons in total. All of the dungeons had a lot of rectangle shaped rooms usually filled with enemies, and they all had a compass, a map, and one or more items. They each had a boss, although some of the bosses were recycled.

The Adventure of Link

In The Adventure of Link side-scrolling dungeons replace the overhead view in the original game. While keys can be used in dungeons other than which they are found, doing so could make completing certain levels impossible until late in the game after acquiring the Magic Key. Unlike other games in the series, no other dungeon items are present. In total, there are seven dungeons in The Adventure of Link.

A Link to the Past

At this time dungeons started to be more linear. In A Link to the Past each dungeon had a specific item which would be used to defeat the boss and get to the next dungeon. Each dungeon also had a Map, Compass, and a Big Key. All keys were specific to each dungeon. There were no side-scrolling segments at all. There were fourteen(?) dungeons in A Link to the Past.

Link's Awakening

Link's Awakening brought back some side-scrolling to get to different parts of a dungeon, but most gameplay was still played with an overhead view. The Map, Compass and Big Key were back (called a Nightmare's Key in Link's Awakening); the compass had an added feature of beeping whenever a key was in a room Link entered. All keys were specific to their dungeon. Mini-bosses were present, also the bosses (Nightmares) and the mini-bosses were given more personality in this game. In Link's Awakening, there were eight main dungeons

Ocarina of Time

As Zelda switched to a 3D perspective of course dungeons shifted to 3D perspective. Ocarina of Time's dungeons are varied and feature very unique puzzles. The Map, Compass, and Boss Key were included, and also an item that was usually required to defeat the boss. Again, keys were specific to each dungeon. There were nine main dungeons and 3 mini-dungeons in Ocarina of Time.

Here is a listing of all of the dungeons found within The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Majora's Mask

Dungeons in Majora's Mask were pretty much the same as Ocarina of Time's dungeon (see above). Except to enter the dungeons in Majora's Mask requires a large amount of exposition before each one. There are only four main dungeons in Majora's Mask.

Here is a listing of all of the dungeons found within The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

Four Swords

In Four Swords, the dungeons are very different from previous installments due to the multiplayer element. Similar to Four Swords Adventures, there are multiple items that can be found in each area, but Big Keys, Compasses, and Maps cannot be obtained. In every stage, the Links have to transverse two dungeon levels. Four Swords creates the two levels by randomly selecting a dungeon setting, a vast area with many set challenges, then inserting a randomly selected new dungeon part into it. However, some dungeon settings are complete on their own and does not require the insertion of a dungeon part. Due to this, the dungeons will likely be different from the last time the Links have gone through it. Like in previous Zelda games, there is a boss at the end of the areas. Once the Links have defeated the boss in the three major areas, the Great Fairies reward them with a special key depending on how many Rupees they have collected.

At the beginning of Four Swords, there are four stages to choose from. These include the Chambers of Insight, Sea of Trees, Talus Cave, and Death Mountain. The Chambers of Insight is a tutorial level and is not necessary to complete it to finish the game. After the Links have collected the three Silver Keys, Vaati's Palace appears.

In the Anniversary Edition, two bonus stages are included. These are the Realm of Memories and the Hero's Trial. The Realm of Memories is unlockable by defeating Vaati once, and the Hero's Trial can be earned by getting a total of 30,000 Rupee or by receiving 5 Medals of Courage.

The Minish Cap

Deepwood Shrine

Main article: Deepwood Shrine

Cave of Flames

Main article: Cave of Flames

Fortress of Winds

Main article: Fortress of Winds

Temple of Droplets

Main article: Temple of Droplets

Royal Crypt

Main article: Royal Crypt

Cloud Tops

Main article: Cloud Tops

Palace of Winds

Main article: Palace of Winds

Elemental Sanctuary

Main article: Elemental Sanctuary

Dark Hyrule Castle

Main article: Dark Hyrule Castle

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

The dungeons in Twilight Princess were almost exactly the same as the ones in Ocarina of Time (see above). There were nine main dungeons in total.

Phantom Hourglass

Temple of Fire

Main article: Temple of Fire

Temple of Wind

Main article: Temple of Wind

Temple of Courage

Main article: Temple of Courage

Ghost Ship

Main article: Ghost Ship (Phantom Hourglass)

Goron Temple

Main article: Goron Temple

Temple of Ice

Main article: Temple of Ice

Mutoh's Temple

Main article: Mutoh's Temple

Temple of the Ocean King

Main article: Temple of the Ocean King

Spirit Tracks

The dungeons in Spirit Tracks had no Compass or Map, but did have dungeon items and Boss Keys. They had an overhead perspective. There were five main dungeons in total plus the Tower of Spirits.