Dungeon

Template:Location 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

Dungeons in the The Legend of Zelda were very difficult. Link could obtain the items usually in any order. There were short side-scrolling sections that often held items or acted as passages through large portions of the dungeon. Also, many bosses were recycled throughout the nine total dungeons within the game. Mini-bosses (pre-bosses) were also present. This is the only game where small keys could be used in any dungeon, not just the dungeon they were found in. There were no Big Keys/Boss Keys in The Legend of Zelda.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

In Zelda II: The Adventure of Link the entirety of the dungeons were side-scrollers. Unlike the Legend of Zelda, this game's small key's were specific to each dungeon. There were no compasses or maps and bosses were rarely recycled. These dungeons also had no Big Keys/Boss Keys. There were a very small amount of mini-bosses in this game. Seven dungeons were in The Adventure of Link.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

At this time dungeons started to be more linear. In The Legend of Zelda: 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.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

The Legend of Zelda: 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

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

As Zelda switched to a 3D perspective of course dungeons shifted to 3D perspective. The Legend of Zelda: 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(?) dungeons in Ocarina of Time.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Dungeons in The Legend of Zelda: 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.

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

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The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

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The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

Due to the multiplayer element of The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, dungeons were very different from previous installments. No specific dungeon items, Big Keys, Compasses, or Maps were in the game. They included two segments and a boss battle. There were four dungeons in the original Four Swords plus a training area and ten plus a training area in the anniversary edition.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

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The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

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

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

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The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

The dungeons in The Legend of Zelda: 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.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

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CDi Games

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