Art is awesome. Video games are awesome. Therefore it naturally follows that video game art is awesome. But some art depicts scenes much more gloriously than they really are in-game. We look at these now.
18. Marin Discovering Link
Artwork
Actual Game
17. Link’s Uncle Leaving
Artwork
Actual Game
16. Link’s Uncle Dying
Artwork
Actual Game
15. Link Rousing Turtle Rock in Link’s Awakening
Artwork
WHAT DO YOU WANT?!
Actual Game
14. Battle Against Agahnim
Artwork
Actual Game
13. Zelda II: Dark Link Duel
Artwork
Here, Dark Link seems to neither know nor care that his adversary is actually Will Ferrell.
Actual Game
12. Making A Transaction
Artwork
Actual Game
11. Zelda 1 Fairy Fountain
Artwork
Actual Game
10. Thunderbird Ambush
Artwork
Actual Game
9. Link Vs. Geldman
Artwork
I’M GONNA NEED ABOUT TREE FIDDY.
Actual Game
Darn it, Geldman, I ain’t givin’ you no tree fiddy!
8. Link Facing Lynel
Artwork
WHAT’S THE PASSWORD?!
Actual Game
WHAT. IS. THE. PASSWORD.
7. Link Lost At Sea
Artwork
Actual Game
6. Link’s Convalescence
Artwork
“…what the HECK happened to your boobs?”
Actual Game
5. Face Shrine Revelation
Actual Game
4. The Amazin’ Flyin’ Rooster
Artwork
Actual Game
3. Hinox Smash!
Artwork
Actual Game
2. The Seven Sages
Artwork
You came to the wrong neighbourhood.
Actual Game
That moment when you notice they’re all holding elongated Facebook logos. What has been seen…
I decided to make a little collage to show what all items New Link has right now. As is obvious from its simple design it’s not so much intended to imitate past item screens as to show the inventory so far, although I have arranged it in the style of the Ocarina of Time inventory. It’s nothing complicated, though, so be warned.
Okay. In the top right corner, we have the giant sword that he’s been seen carrying. I refuse to believe that this is a Level 1 Sword. Therefore, it’s at the slot reserved for the most powerful Sword. New Link doesn’t even seem to rely on swordplay nearly as much as any other incarnation.
Moving on to the second column, we have two intricate Shields. One is metal, while the other seems to have a wooden texture. I put these two to the left and left a space open because there’s got to be another, more powerful Shield available.
On the next column, there’s New Link’s blue tunic. Nothing much to say about that. It seems to offer no special abilities (unless it is somehow responsible for his epic gymnastics and time-stopping abilities)
And finally for this screen, there are New Link’s plain ol’ boots. They’re worn on his feet!
On the top column, there’s the probably maximum capacity Quiver. It can hold 100 Arrows, although this picture doesn’t show it. Also, there was no way for me to put that new Arrow on here, or I’d have done it.
The penultimate column has the mysterious book with the Sheikahesque cover. It’s unknown what it does, but it somewhat resembles the Book of Mudora, and it greatly resembles the Sky Book of Twilight Princess. It is also inexplicably glowing. I put it in the space occupied by the Lens of Truth in Ocarina of Time.
The final column has the Sailcloth, which returns from Skyward Sword. Its use is pretty straightforward.
EDIT
I have included some very obvious items that I forgot yesterday on the second screen, at the suggestion of one u/Luigi86101 on Reddit. This is the revised edition. I am leaving the earlier one up because some of the images in the revision are blurry and zoomed too far.
We’ve got the Bow, which, as I said before, resembles those of the Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Minish Cap incarnations. New Link seems to use this extremely heavily.
Next is what is indubitably a fancy Bomb Arrow. These seem to emit more powerful sparks than past iterations.
And finally, the mysterious new Tech Arrow (I made that up just now) that one-shotted the giant Gohmos in the trailer. Very strange. I’m interested in this one particularly.
And that’s New Link’s inventory so far. What do you think? If you liked this list, please like and share the post. When more of the game is revealed, the inventory will be updated.
EDIT: Okay, so the game is called Breath of the Wild, and it’s brilliant! Wow! Plenty of inventory was shown between the trailer and the demos, so as I said, I’ll update when I get a chance.
All right, Internet? Today, we’ll take a look at the history of one of my favourite Zelda locations, although one that doesn’t receive all that much attention.
Skyward Sword
Not seen; the only livable civilisation seen in this era is in The Sky. Besides, horses don’t seem to exist yet.
Minish Cap
This is, chronologically, the first incarnation of Lon Lon Ranch.
The ranch is more or less in the middle of Hyrule. To that end, here’s the map. The red highlighted area.
As you can see, it takes a significant chunk out of the overworld.
Anyway, the first Lon Lon Ranch has a few trademark things about it. Most importantly, it is inhabited–and managed– by the father-and-daughter team, Malon and Talon.
And no, Malon is not a giant; that’s system limitations–my system!
The name of the ranch is derived from the last part of the owner’s names. MaLON, TaLON. *The More You Know*
Note that here, Talon has hair, even though he seems to be balding. Also, he’s kind of derpy, even losing the key to their house. Malon is the more practical one of the two.
The second most important thing is that the ranch owners sell their great-tasting milk, which is called Lon Lon Milk. Also, that they own a beloved horse named Epona.
Malon and Epona sell Lon Lon Milk at Hyrule Castle Town. When Malon is approached, she sings Epona’s Song.
Thirdly, the ranch owners raise cows–
and Cuccos.
Note that the ranch is completely surrounded by a long, white fence–a picket fence.
The owners have a shared bedroom, with the beds right next to each other, and a large cupboard and chest-of-drawers. There are also a few pots in the slightly cramped room.
The bedroom is right next to the place where the cows are kept.
That’s pretty much it for the first Lon Lon Ranch. Just know that these are the standards.
Four Swords
Not seen.
Ocarina of Time
Now, this is the Lon Lon Ranch that we’re all familiar with.
This Lon Lon Ranch is far larger than its first incarnation. Once again, it is run by the father-and-daughter team, Malon and Talon. Note their appearances.
It is unknown what relationship these two have to the first Malon and Talon, but it is stated in the game indirectly that Malon’s mother has brown skin and red hair. Hmm…
They say that Gerudos sometimes come to Hyrule Castle Town to look for boyfriends.
Similar to the first Talon, this Talon is somewhat awkward, also. When the Hero of Time first meets him, he is asleep, having fell asleep by the side of Hyrule Castle, while on a mission to deliver milk to the castle. When Link meets him again after this, he states that Malon gave him a chewing-out. He is also shown to be somewhat cowardly, as later in the game, when Ingo, the ranchhand–
is brainwashed into taking over the ranch, Talon runs away to Kakariko Village, instead of protecting his daughter. Link must wake him up there, too, with a special Cucco. Almost from this point on, he’ll always be asleep when seen.
As for Malon, she is the more responsible one, often giving her father the business for being lazy and slacking off. The only one who works harder than her is the bitter Ingo.
As a fun fact, Malon has “Lon” in Hylian, repeating on the bottom of her dress.
In this iteration, Malon and Talon mostly raise horses, and their ranch consists mostly of a giant corral for the horses, as can be seen in the above screenshots. One of these is Epona, their beloved young female horse, who later becomes Link’s mount.
Malon teaches Link “Epona’s Song” when he is a child, but it doesn’t do him any good until seven years later. Speaking of which, this is what Malon looks when grown up (or as a teen, we really don’t know which)
When Link visits the ranch in the time when Malon is an adult, she will sing Epona’s Song at night. Due to the bad MIDI quality, it sounds somewhat creepy. Also, the ranch’s main theme is an extended, peaceful remix of Epona’s Song.
Besides the horses, they raise cows, which are famous for their lauded Lon Lon Milk. The cow-pen (pretty sure that’s not what you call it) is located in the building to the right of the entrance.
Later on, when Link learns Epona’s Song, he can play it for the cows, and they will give him Lon Lon Milk, provided he has an Empty Bottle. This goes for all cows in the game. Remember how I said that Ingo is bitter? Well, he works in the cow-pen. Note that he has a pitchfork. But this attitude is very important for you to remember, later on.
The last main aspect of the Lon Lon Ranch is that they raise Cuccos. It is implied that this is mostly Talon’s work, however. He has a special minigame called the “Super Cucco Findin’ Minigame“.
Talon releases three “Super Cuccos” (what makes them so great is never revealed) into a flock of Cuccos, and Link must find them.
Interestingly, these are the only Cuccos in the game that can’t be attacked, and therefore can’t attack Link.
There are also a few Cuccos roaming about the outside of the ranch, also. And these WILL attack Link.
The owners’ living abode is upstairs, in the same building as the Cucco FIndin’ Minigame.
There is only one bed (which is strange, because three people live there), but this time around, there is a table with three chairs, and plenty of furniture, including cupboards. In the 3D remake, there is Skyward Sword artwork in the bedroom. Also, there are a few pots in the room.
Also, the ranch’s perimeter is fringed almost completely by a long, black fence. In fact, when Link breaks Epona out of the ranch, they must jump over one such segment.
Finally, this is the ranch’s position on the map.
Its huge size from the inside belies how small it is in comparison to the rest of Hyrule. It is more or less smaller than it was in the Minish Cap. Also, it is in the relative center of the map. Important.
Child Timeline
Majora’s Mask
Presumably the same as in Ocarina of Time; this game takes place only a few months after the end of Ocarina of Time.
However, much of Hyrule, in people and in landscapes, has a Terminian counterpart, and Lon Lon Ranch is no exception. The Terminian counterpart of Lon Lon Ranch is Romani Ranch.
Fun fact: That arch, translated from Hylian, says “Welcome to Kakariko Village”. This is because that arch was recycled from Kakariko Village’s arch; it’s the exact same object. The developers just couldn’t be arsed to change the text. Either that, or they forgot.
Also, this is its theme.
Anyway, just like in Hyrule, this ranch is named after its owner–one of them, anyway. This ranch is inhabited and run by the two sisters, Cremia and Romani.
The older one is Cremia, and the younger one is Romani. Respectively, they are the counterparts of Adult Malon and Malon from Ocarina of Time.
The ranch is named in full after Romani. Now, I’ve sometimes wondered why they didn’t go with the obvious and logical Mani-Mani Ranch, but-
I think that may not have been such a good idea.
They raise a very special breed of cows at Romani Ranch, who contribute to the making of Chateau Romani, an implied alcoholic beverage that contains milk (kinda like Termina’s eggnog? I dunno). There is a barn that contains the cows (the building with no proper roof)
There is a feeding trough, and there are a few Cuccos in the barn, also. A lone cow can be found outside on the ranch at a certain point on the First Day, being tended by Cremia.
Speaking of Cuccos, behind the Romani Ranch is located the Cucco Shack, in which Grog resides.
Interestingly, Grog is the counterpart of the Young Punk Guy from Ocarina of Time, who is the brother of the Cucco Lady, who raises Cuccos. The Young Punk Guy also raised a special blue Cucco called Cojiro. And in this game, Grog raises Cuccos. Ain’t that neat?
Anyway, Grog has ten Cucco Chicks, and his only wish in life is to see them grow up into adult Cuccos before the Moon crashes. Link does this by wearing the Bremen Mask and marching them in a line. Grog then gives him the Bunny Hood, because reasons.
Just like its Hyrule counterpart, Romani Ranch has a living quarters for its owners. However, this time around, it has a name: Mama’s House.
There are two floors. The downstairs area seems to be a kitchen and dining area.
The upstairs area is the bedroom part, with beds andloads of furniture.
On the Night of the Final Day, a few Clock Town citizens can be found here, hoping to take refuge from the rapidly approaching Moon.
Similar to its Hyrule counterpart, Romani Ranch delivers its Chateau Romani to Clock Town–specifically, the Milk Bar. For this, Cremia uses a donkey and a covered wagon.
Link, at night on the Second Day, escorts Cremia to the Milk Bar, and protects the milk. Remember how Ingo was very bitter and angry about working on Lon Lon Ranch? Well, his counterparts manifest in a similar, veyr appropriate way.
The gormless Gorman Brothers run their own ranch, and constantly attempt to sabotage Romani Ranch’s operations. In the case of the Milk Bar shipment, this means that they disguise themselves in Garo Masks and try to destroy the milk bottles by wielding their pitchforks.
Speaking of the Milk Bar, this is Mr. Barten, the owner of the establishment, who does most of the milk serving.
Seem familiar? He’s Talon’s counterpart–and in a very fitting role, too. And I know what you’re maybe thinking, but no–Cremia and Romani’s parents are stated to both have died a while ago, so Mr. Barten is not their father.
Finally, just like Lon Lon Ranch, this is where Epona can be obtained. In the beginning of the game, Skull Kid ominously tells Link that he has “gotten rid of” Epona. Luckily, this doesn’t mean anything, as later in the game it is discovered that Epona has been safe in a fenced-in area attached to Mama’s House all along.
Just like in Ocarina of Time, she can be seen before she can be used. Using Goron Bomb Jumping exploits, it is possible to get behind the fence where she is held, but that does absolutely nothing until Link is taught Epona’s Song by Romani, by which point it doesn’t matter anyway, as the fence is open.
And that’s Romani Ranch.
Twilight Princess
Lon Lon Ranch always seems to be one of those “unfortunate” Zelda locales, as it never turns up as much as the established ones. Anyway, I used to think that the collection of ruins by Eldin Bridge were the remains of Lon Lon Ranch-
But that doesn’t make much logical sense. There’s no sign of the houses, the large corral, the barn, or anything. Furthermore, the majority of the ranch was built of brick, not of stone. So, the next candidate is Hyrule Castle Town, as well as the surrounding area. Much of that is bricken, and there are plenty of iron fences, like on Lon Lon Ranch. It is likely that after four hundred years, the ranch owners died, with no one to leave the ranch to. The ranch overgrew and overgrew, until it was finally mowed and razed down and had the Castle Town built over it. Pretty sad, if you ask me. Oh, and this is its position on the map.
It is more or less in the center of the map.
As for the “Malon X Hero Of Time” theory, I don’t subscribe. The Hero of Time lived four hundred years ago, at the time of Twilight Princess. If the Hero of Twilight was his son, TP Link would be waaaaay older. And sure, the Hero’s Shade addresses Link as “son“, initially, but that is a common form of address for younger men from older men. Especially four-hundred-year-old men. No, at the very best, Malon is TP Link’s great-great grandmother or summat. He is the Hero of Time’s descendant. Note that in Japanese, the term for “descendant” and the term for “grandson” are extremely similar, sometimes even being interchanged.
Four Swords Adventures
Lon Lon Ranch appears once again here, because reasons.
Now, I’m not a rancher, but I don’t think this qualifies as a ranch. No Cuccos, no horses, no feeding trough…it’s literally just a house with a bunch of grass surrounding it. Hm…let’s see the definition of “ranch“.
A large farm, especially in the western US and Canada, where cattle or other animals are bred and raised.
A large farm especially in the U.S. where animals (such as cattle, horses, and sheep) are raised
A large farm for raising horses, beef cattle, or sheep
Yep. Just look at aaaaalll those cattle, horses and sheep. Go on then, look. Yea, and look at how large it is, too. Somebody lied!
Anyway, there’s really not much at all to say about this iteration. The Links meet Malon in the Field, where she says the Soldiers have gone mad and started attacking her with Cannons and Bows. Naturally, the Links must escort Malon to her “ranch” home.
The Links do it, and they meet Talon, her father. This Talon is fundamentally different than any other incarnation; he is shown to be very, very worried for Malon, even being about to go out and search for her.
A huge departure from the bloke who ran away when his employee took over his ranch and left his daughter unprotected. But then again, this is an entirely different Talon.
The only notable thing about the “ranch” and its inhabitants is that after rescuing Malon, Talon will give the Links Carrots, which allow them to ride a horse resembling Epona. Because reasons, they are somehow each able to ride one.
Downfall Timeline
A Link To The Past
Not seen.
Oracle of Ages + Oracle of Seasons
While Oracle of Ages may feature nothing of the sort, in Holodrum, in Oracle of Seasons, Malon lives with her father, Talon, on a “chicken farm“.
In faith, that house you see is really all there is to it. It’s basically a house with some chickens in it. The Talon of this game is more like the one in Ocarina of Time; he is first found sleeping in a cave, and Link must wake him up with a Megaphone. The cave in question is on Mt. Cucco; he loves Cuccos.
Link’s Awakening
Not seen.
A Link Between Worlds
Not seen, but this is the Milk Bar Owner.
He could possibly be related to some incarnation of Talon, although this is not likely. He has something very interesting to say when Link talks to him.
So apparently, Lon Lon Ranch exists at the time of A Link Between Worlds, but it’s just that Link can never visit it. Who knows; this could be true for many areas, eh? By the way, this is the Lorule Milk Bar’s Owner.
In the game, he is very irritable, rude, and salty, although this is only because no one visits his Milk Bar anymore since the world got taken over by monsters. Although when Link, a potential customer, comes in, the Owner treats him badly. Go figure.
Legend of Zelda
Not seen.
Zelda II: Adventure of Link
Not seen.
Adult Timeline
Wind Waker
I know what you’re thinking. “What mad island is he gonna say is Lon Lon Ranch now, eh?” Well, there’ll be nothing of the sort. In fact, this game’s Lon Lon Ranch is kinda funny.
There it is. There’s yer Lon Lon Ranch. Yes, these wide, crumbled stone and bricken expanses of ruins of archways and whatnot.
Now don’t get me wrong; there are a TON of inconsistencies between the Hyrule of Ocarina of Time and this Hyrule, which they’re trying to tell you is the same. For example, Hyrule Castle was never on an island in Ocarina, and neither was the entire roof pointed and purple. Also, the associated structures of Lake Hylia (Water Temple, Lakeside Laboratory, etc.) aren’t there. But I hae no doot that these ruins are Lon Lon Ranch. Some of them, anyway. Lon Lon Ranch never had any high points or mountains or anything, except for the silo, which means that it would have been one of the first places to go.
Phantom Hourglass
Not seen; Hyrule is now COMPLETELY flooded.
Spirit Tracks
Not seen; Hyrule has been flooded for centuries.
And that’s the history of Lon Lon Ranch. What did you think?
Today, we’ll tackle the homeland of Zelda’s rarest race, and the enigmatic forest and woods that they live in and by.
Skyward Sword
In this game, the first place that Link visits on the Surface is Faron Woods.
It is an extremely large forest that is inhabited by a birdlike race called the Kikwi. Also, this is where Link finds the Slingshot. That is very important.
This is the position of Faron Woods on the Skyward Sword map.
It’s in the Faron Province, and it takes up pretty much all of the southeastern quadrant. Very important.
Some of the features of Faron Woods include the Great Tree, which is the very large, towering tree seen in the screenshots. The Great Tree is so large that it provides habitats for many creatures, and as such it holds quite a few enemies. These include Keese, Walltulas, and Quadro Babas. The Great Tree doesn’t seem to be sentient, but it is said that many races come to make wishes of the tree.
Another feature is that there is an entrance to Lake Floria in Faron Woods. Lake Floria eventually becomes Zora’s Domain + Zora’s River. This is very important.
Speaking of lakes, at one point, Faron Woods becomes flooded. Important.
The Faron Woods area has a deeper, more dangerous area, known as the Deep Woods.
Link is not permitted to enter this areauntil he obtains the Slingshot. Relevant. The enemies of the Deep Woods include Moblins, Deku Babas, Quadro Babas, and Octoroks.
Within the Deep Woods lays a temple. A temple called “Skyview Temple“. It is sometimes referred to ingame as the Forest Temple. Very important.
A few of the enemies encountered here are Deku Babas, Quadro Babas, Skulltulas, Walltulas, and Stalfos, the latter as minibosses.
The Skyview Temple is filled with crumbling architecture that was seemingly once great. Relevant. Also, the entrance to the Skyview Temple is a great, wide flight of stairs. And, there are two trees on either side of the entrance.
The Skyview Temple has an entrance to a place called the Ancient Cistern, where water is processed.
Minish Cap
There is a Lost Woods here, but it’s not THE Lost Woods. No, this is Lost Woods B. Strangely, a remix of the Ocarina of Time Lost Woods theme is in the files of this game, but is never used.
Ocarina of Time
This is the first time that the Kokiri Forest has appeared by that name.
This is its theme, which is very important.
This is its location on the Ocarina of Time map.
It is still in the southeast. The highlighted area also contains the Lost Woods. We’ll get to that later.
The forest has many distinct qualities, such as being filled with houses made of hollowed trees and/or stumps.
In fact, the house of the Hero of Time, who is the Link of this game, is a treehouse made from a large, hollowed tree.
Note that it has a somewhat long ladder, that it is flanked by severely curved, angular walls, and that it has a railing around the top. And again, the Link of this game lives here.
Kokiri Forest has several bodies of water, as seen in the screenshots above. In fact, about half of the forest is inundated. This is a result of the flooding that happened to its predecessor, Faron Woods.
Notably, the forest is normally a very peaceful, serene place, but when Link visits it after he draws the Master Sword, it is overrun by monsters.
And of course, the most notable thing about the forest is its inhabitors and namesakes: the Kokiri.
They are a childlike race who are protected by the Great Deku Tree.
The Great Deku Tree not only protects the Kokiri, but he created them, as well. Exactly what connection he has to the Great Tree of Faron Woods is unknown. Very early in the game, Link must go Inside the Great Deku Tree, because the parasite Gohma has invaded the Great Deku Tree’s body, under the guidance of the evil Ganondorf.
Some of the enemies Inside the Great Deku Tree include Keese, Fire Keese (only in the Master Quest, however), Deku Babas, Big Deku Babas, Skulltulas, Gold Skulltulas, and Skullwalltulas.
For some odd reason, Link finds his second item of the game Inside the Great Deku Tree, which is the Slingshot.
The Great Deku Tree lies in a great meadow dedicated to him, that is well outside of the forest boundaries. The path to it is full of Deku Babas and Big Deku Babas. After Link defeats the parasite Gohma, the Great Deku Tree dies, but not before giving Link the Kokiri’s Emerald, a very important stone.
Some time after this, the Great Deku Tree Sprout will appear right in front of the Great Deku Tree’s “mouth”.
Note its blank, dotty eyes, its constantly smiling Pikachu mouth, and unlike its father, a thin peak on its “head”, with two leaves growing out of it.
Throughout the entire game, the Great Deku Tree’s “corpse” remains in the exact same spot, only dried and gray. All of these things are important.
One of the most important things about Kokiri Forest is that it leads to the Lost Woods.
As the name implies, the Lost Woods are a very strange network of woods, where it is exceedingly easy to get lost. Fortunately, unlike later versions of the area, wandering into the wrong places will merely send you outside, rather than getting you seriously lost.
A part of the mythology of the Lost Woods is that any child who wanders too long in the Lost Woods will become a Skull Kid, and that any adult who does the same will wind up as a Stalfos. The latter fate is implied to happen to a character called the Young Punk Guy (often wrongly called “Grog”) during a trading sequence in the game. This is undoubtedly true, as the Lost Woods are full of Skull Kids, many of them on stumps such as this.
However, the terrible fate of transformation is supposedly avoidable if a wanderer in the Lost Woods has a fairy to guide him or her. So I guess that means Navi has some use, eh?
Note that plenty of Deku Scrubs appear in the Lost Woods and in the area directly outside it: Deku Scrubs, Business Scrubs, and Mad Scrubs.
The Lost Woods contains a few warps to other locations, such as to Goron City, in the very heart of Death Mountain, miles and miles very far away. These warps are very strange, and really don’t make any logical sense. Anyway, one of these weird warps goes to Zora’s River.
Even though in the centuries, no, milleniums, between the Sky Era and the Era of the Hero of Time, there is no longer a direct entrance to Zora’s Domain, a warp still exists.
Also, the song that plays in the Lost Woods is called Saria’s Song.
Remember it well.
Very deep within the Lost Woods, a place called the Sacred Forest Meadow exists.
The Sacred Forest Meadow is notable for three things.
Number one, this is the one and only place in the game where Moblins (and one colossal Club Moblin) can be found. Most of the Moblins walk back and forth, patrolling the area.
Number two, the Kokiri Sage of Forest, Saria, loves to hang out here for private, alone time.
Number three, in the northern end of the meadow, the entrance to the Forest Temple is located there.
The Sacred Forest Meadow and the Forest Temple…respectively, this is what became of the Deep Woods and the Skyview Temple.
As you can see, the entrance to the Forest Temple has two large trees on either side– the remains of them, at the least. Also, the crumblingremains of what used to be a large, wide staircase can be seen. Since that does nothing, Link must Hookshot his way into the temple.
While the Forest Temple’s architecture changed, many of its enemies did not. They include Deku Babas, Big Deku Babas, Skulltulas, Skullwalltulas, Gold Skulltulas, and last but not least, Stalfos, still as a miniboss (two of ’em!)
The Forest Temple isn’t the exact same as the Skyview Temple, but you can’t say it’s totally different, either. It still has a sense of former grandeur gone to seed. To this end, the Forest Temple is indubitably just a new mansion, built over the remains of the Skyview Temple. This makes sense, because in some spots, the terrain matches up perfectly.
For example, just as the Skyview Temple led to the Ancient Cistern, in the Forest Temple’s massive courtyard, a giant, fillable and drainable well can be found.
Okay, that’s pretty much it for Ocarina of Time. Now for the timeline split. Let’s shake things up a bit and start with the…
Child Timeline
Majora’s Mask
This is the only instance where a part of Hyrule is seen definitively in Majora’s Mask; the mysterious forest that Link wanders for months in at the start of the game is indeed an extension of the Lost Woods. There is a portal to Termina there, further adding to the mystery and insanity of the Lost Woods. I already wrote about all this before, so you can read it here.
This is a rare occasion; Link visits two versions of the Lost Woods in one game here. Many landmarks in Ocarina’s Hyrule have Terminian counterparts, and the Lost Woods is no exception. The Terminian counterpart of the Lost Woods is the misleadingly named Woods of Mystery.
The forest, like the Lost Woods, will gob you right back outside it if you go in the wrong hole. The difference is, where the Lost Woods had multiple places that could be entered, even if they weren’t the right entry, this is not the case with the Woods of Mystery. There’s a monkey that you follow that has the correct path and you’d better follow that monkey if you know what’s good for you. Also, another difference is that, somewhat like the magical staircases of Hogwarts in Harry Potter, the correct path changes every day. However, one thing is the same: both play Saria’s Song.
The only inhabitants of the Woods of Mystery are Deku Babas, Snappers (because giant turtles in the woods totally makes sense), Monkeys, and the old witch, Koume. Actually, Koume really shouldn’t be counted, since she doesn’t live there; she is only stuck there initially after being assaulted by Skull Kid.
Related: If you want to creep out and deeply unsettle yourself at Xx:xx a.m., then I highly recommend this sound effect.
Volume all the way up. With headphones on. Good ones. Do it, punk.
Twilight Princess
In this game, Kokiri Forest is the Ordona Province; more specifically Ordon Village + Ordon Woods. We’ll start with Ordon Village.
This village is the hometown of the Link of Twilight Princess. It is an agricultural area, where pumpkins, woodwork, and goat-related things are produced. Anyway, just like the Kokiri Forest, there is still water running through most of it, this time even more. The flooding has STILL never quite gone back down. Where the Kokiri had houses made of hollowed-out tree stumps, they have been converted into newer, more modern houses, but with almost the same shapes. Also, new houses have been built. This is due to the humans occupying the land sometime after the extinction of the Kokiris. It is worth noting that a store in Ordon Village is where the Link of this game obtains the Slingshot.
Also, Ordon Village is where Link’s Treehouse is located.
It has a ladder, although there is no railing around the top. Also, the treehouse is flanked by severely angled walls. This treehouse was built around/over the treehouse of the Hero of Time.
Next, there’s the Ordon Woods.
The only things that are really notable about Ordon Woods is that it is home to the Ordon Spring, that it connects to the Sacred Grove, and that it leads to the Forest Temple.
As you can see, the entrance to the Forest Temple is a giant tree. Notably, it has the red Kokiri symbol on many of its doors and surfaces, such as this.
This tree is actually the “corpse” of the Great Deku Tree. It is interesting to note that in the Child Timeline, it is implied that most of the events of Ocarina of Time never occur. As far as can be seen, Link goes straight to Zelda to shut Ganondorf down in this timeline, and does nothing else.
This would mean that Ganondorf would have no time to unleash the parasite Gohma inside the Great Deku Tree, and therefore the Great Deku Tree would have never died from this. Therefore, it would seem that the Great Deku Tree was destined to die. Of course, he could have just naturally died within the space of 400 or so years. That’s a viable theory, right?
Moving on, the, errr….inhabitants of the tree have remained largely the same through the past 400 years. The enemies, for the most part, are Deku Babas, Baba Serpents, Big Babas, Keese, Skulltulas, and Walltulas. That’s pretty much it for the Forest Temple of this game.
As for the Lost Woods, I’ve already written about it, which you can read here. Note: within the Sacred Grove, the Master Sword lies in the Master Pedestal. Oh, and by the way, this is how everything appears on the map.
It is still in the south, although not necessarily in the southeast. This can be attributed to landshifting within four centuries, however. Strangely, this time, one half is in the Faron Province, while the other half is in the Ordon Province. Again, landshifting and expansion.
Four Swords Adventures
There is a Lost Woods here, but once again, it’s not THE Lost Woods. No, this is Lost Woods C.
There isn’t even all that much to say about it, except that there are plenty of Deku Scrubs, and that the Lonks must defeat Gohma. Also, although the Links may pick up many items in this level, the Slingshot is not one of them.
This is its map location.
It’s not even in Hyrule proper; it’s in the Dark World. It’s nowhere near southeast, either. As for Kokiri Forest? Fuhgeddaboudit! As I said before, this is another area of Hyrule than Standard Hyrule (Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, etc.)
Downfall Timeline
A Link To The Past
…where am I? Seriously, where the hell am I?
Ah, just kidding.
In this game, the mazelike aspect is arguably stronger. However, it’s not quite as easy to get lost in this iteration. That makes sense, right?
This era’s Lost Woods preserves the giant wooden logs. However, it has been overrun by Thieves, malicious humans who will purposely knock into Link (jerks) and scramble to pick up his hard-earned Bombs, Arrows, and Rupees. Given this, plus the fact that no Stalfos are encountered here, it would seem that A) the Lost Woods lost (pfft) its power to transform its interlopers, or B) the power never existed in the first place.
Just like its Ocarina of Time predecessor, the Lost Woods harbours a dungeon, if Link can successfully navigate its depths. However, it is only in the Dark World version of the Lost Woods (Skeleton Forest), so it really has no bearing on Standard Hyrule.
Oh, and the most important thing about the Lost Woods is that this is where this era’s Link finds the Master Sword.
This is such an important element of the game that much of its artwork and even the Japanese cover depict this.
The Lost Woods is littered with Fake Master Swords, which are there to deter anyone who seeks the True Master Sword. This implies that the Sages, or some other important group, moved the legendary weapon to the Lost Woods and set the seal of the Pendants of Virtue in order to keep those who attempted to plunder the Sacred Realm from attaining the all-powerful sword. The way they set it up, only the true hero would be able to draw and use the sword. But then again, the sword’s mythology states that only those with no evil in their hearts will be able to touch, let alone wield, the Master Sword.
The Kokiri Forest meth with a terrible fate; it has partially been destroyed, but it has mostly merged with the Lost Woods. Also, if you look on the map, the Lost Woods extends into the cloudy, unreachable area, meaning it is no less expansive than it ever was. However, as I’ve talked about before, there are two Kokiri in this game, three if you count the Game Boy Advance remaster.
Oh, and by the way, this is its map location. In the top left corner.
This time around, it is in a completely different location–most of it, at least. Also, it is interesting–and important–to note that this Lost Woods is right next to Death Mountain and the Graveyard.
Oracle of Ages + Oracle of Seasons
While nothing familiar appears in Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons features its very own Lost Woods, by that exact name.
It has a few Deku Scrubs.
But the most important (and bizarre) thing about this Lost Woods is that, at least in a Linked Game, there is a Master Sword here.
It’s even in pretty much the same position as the A Link to the Past artwork! You’ll notice that I said “a Master Sword”, however. This is because it’s not the Master Sword we know and love. Why? Because at the end of A Link to the Past (which features the same Link as the Oracle games), Link puts the Master Sword back into its pedestal, and the games states this.
Although this turned out to be a lie, “forever” doesn’t mean “a few months”. No, this is just something that Holodrum and Hyrule just happen to share.
Link’s Awakening
Presumably the same as in A Link To The Past; this game takes place only a short time after it.
However, Link visits a slightly similar location on Koholint, called the Mysterious Woods.
The forest is patrolled by Moblins and Sword Moblins.
A Link Between Worlds
The Lost Woods appears once again, of course.
As can be seen particularly in the screenshot directly above, this iteration greatly resembles its Ocarina of Time ancestor, especially with the great log passages, tree stumps, and large treesin the distance.
There’s not really all that much to say about this iteration. It still holds the Master Sword, which the Link of this game draws (this is what it means to “sleep forever”).
However, there is a twist. While the forest was littered with Fake Master Swords a century ago, in the time of A Link To The Past, the puzzle here is even worse. As seen two screenshots above, there is now a large group of green Poes. Link must find and follow the correct one out of eight.
Tri Force Heroes
Presumably the same as in a Link Between Worlds; this game takes place very shortly after the former.
The Legend of Zelda
Just like every landscape aspect in this game, the Lost Woods is way too big. This is its appearance on the map, highlighted in red.
If you think that looks big, try playing the game and going there. Yes, the Lost Woods is massive in this era. What’s more important, however, is that it’s dead–most of it, anyway. Where every single iteration of the Lost Woods before this era was lush and green, this one is brown and dusty. And it’s not NES palette limitations, either–that’s how it really looks.
Anyway, the Master Sword really is done with from this game onward, so that’s not there anymore. However, this is probably the most confusing Lost Woods ever. It is still roamed by Moblins. Notice I said “roamed“, not “patrolled“. This time, the Lost Woods don’t really have any intrinsic value; it’s merely a puzzle that keeps Link from entering the Graveyard (which is right above it, and actually connected to it) until he gets the correct directions from an Old Woman.
Speaking of whom, she must be very special. I mean, to be able to just hand out instructions to successfully go through the woods. This means that she has experience in this herself. People don’t just hang about in the Lost Woods. Well, Chuck Norris does, but that’s besides the point. Anyway, the Lost Woods only historically had two main humanoid inhabitants. The Kokiri and the Skull Kids. These are the only humanoid inhabitants, and therefore the only ones who were smart enough to have the knowledge of the Lost Woods. I mean, the Thieves were in A Link To The Past, but that’s only for that game. However, it is more likely that the Old Woman has a connection to the Thieves than the Kokiri.
TL; DR: The Old Woman is probably a descendant of a Thief from A Link To The Past, and that’s how she knows how to navigate the Lost Woods.
Adventure of Link
The Lost Woods appear here, as a part of that odd “Death Mountain Area“.
There isn’t really anything special about this at all, so…
Adult Timeline (finally!)
Wind Waker
Finally! The really fun part!
In this game, Kokiri Forest is Forest Haven.
The new one, anyway.This island houses the Great Deku Tree.
Note its blank, dotty eyes,Pikachuesque mouth, and that it has a very thin head, with a small cluster of leaves on it. This is the Great Deku Tree Sprout, all grown up. Want more proof? Initially, the first two seconds that Hero of Winds meets the GreatDeku Tree, the latter initially starts speaking Ancient Hylian. What he says is this. Bolding and italics mine, of course.
That garb you wear… Could you be the legendary hero?
After a second or two, he’ll say this in Modern Hylian.
[…] What is the matter? Do you not understand the ancient Hylian tongue? So…you are not the Hero of Time. I must apologize. I was in error. I saw your clothing, and suddenly I felt a longing for an age gone by.
The “age gone by” that he’s talking about is the Era of the Hero of Time, and “that garb” is none other than the Hero’s Tunic/Kokiri Tunic that the Hero of Time wore. And yes, the Hero of Time. He mentions him by name. Of course, Ancient Hylian would be the language spoken in the Era of the Hero of Time, which would be unintelligible to most people in the Era of The Great Sea. Kind of like how you wouldn’t be able to understand if someone suddenly started talking to you in Old English.
Another interesting thing–after Link rescues the Korok child Makar, the Great Deku Tree bestows the hero with Farore’s Pearl.
Besides the fact of Faron being the goddess after whom the Faron Province was named, the Great Deku Tree carried on his father’s tradition of giving sacred stones to green-capped heroes.
Remember the Great Deku Tree’s pasture in Ocarina of Time? Well, during and after the Great Flood, this area broke away from the main Kokiri Forest, and became its own island. Just like its predecessor, the Forest Haven has plenty of Boko Babas.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the main inhabitants of the Forest Haven: the Koroks.
Yecchhh.
The fact that these look like somebody took a bunch of burritos and glued dead leaves onto them aside, this is what became of the Kokiri race. That is to say, the Kokiri evolved into the Koroks. This was to their benefit, since they gained the ability to fly and sow seeds around the world.
And the Koroks live inside the Forest Haven. Now, the Forest Haven is Kokiri Forest, to be sure. But remember how I said “the new one“? Well, the original one is a different islet on the same map square. Old Kokiri Forest is the Forbidden Woods.
Forbidden Woods is a foreboding, dangerous islet. However, it is Old Kokiri Forest. For proof: quite a few Koroks will tell Link the following, upon him talking to them. Italics, colour, and bolding mine.
We Koroks used to once live in the Forbidden Woods a very long time ago. If you see any very large stumps they might be ruined houses!
A very long time ago, eh? Like, Era of The Hero of Time long ago? Also, remember the Kokiri huts made from hollowed-out stumps and trees in Ocarina of Time.
This is not as consequential proof as the former, but it’s still significant. In the Era of the Hero of Time, and even before it, Kokiri Forest was known as the “forbidden forest“. Look here. Italic, bol—screw it, you know that already. You should, anyway.
One day, to escape from the fires of the war, a Hylian mother and her baby boy entered thisforbidden forest.
That’s referring to the Hero of Time and his mother, of course.
Anyway, the Forbidden Woods isn’t really all that remarkable. It is a merging of the Lost Woods along with Kokiri Forest, so that’s something. Strangely, most of the familiar enemies aren’t there anymore. Only Boko Babas and Moblins remain.
The Slingshot isn’t featured in this game, but if it was, you can bet it would be obtained in the Forbidden Woods.
Also, this is the Forest Haven theme.
It’s just the Kokiri Forest theme slowed down between 1.5x and 2x, with a sitar added.
This is the map location of the Forest Haven + Forbidden Woods, in comparison to Ocarina of Time.
Even on the map, you’ll notice that the main Kokiri Forest and the Great Deku Tree’s meadow are two distinct areas, even though the collage is kinda wonky. Still in the southeast, however.
Phantom Hourglass
Not seen, Hyrule is now COMPLETELY flooded.
Spirit Tracks
Not seen; same reason as Phantom Hourglass.
And that’s the history of Kokiri Forest+ Lost Woods? Whaddya think?
Hi-yo. Today, we continue the HOtC Project with Hyrule’s deadliest mountain, and Hyrule’s deadliest mountain’s coolest feature. Because Death Mountain and Kakariko Village are so interconnected, if you haven’t before, you should read this. They are interconnected.
Skyward Sword
In this game, one of the places that Link must travel is a place called Eldin Volcano.
It is very active during this period. This is how it appears on the Skyward Sword map.
Notice that it’s in the north. Also, it’s located in Eldin Province. Relevant.
Note that it is not behind any incarnation of Kakariko Village.
Link must scale this mountain, as well as go inside it at some point. It is active, spewing lava and flaming boulders that Link has to avoid. One of the places related to Eldin Volcano is the Volcano Summit, a place that is so very extremely hot that Link can’t safely enter it without the Fireshield Earrings. It is located at the very top of Eldin Volcano.
Relevant.
Minish Cap
In the hundreds of years between Skyward Sword and the Minish Cap, Eldin Volcano has become known as Mt. Crenel.
This is how it appears on the Minish Cap map.
It is still located in the north, although it seems to have moved to the west significantly. Also, there is still no Kakariko Village.
Once again, the Link of this game has to scale the mountain. And once again, there are constantly falling boulders to hinder his progress.
The mountain is inhabited by many Tektites.
In fact, this is one of two of the only places they can be found.
It is said within the game that Mt. Crenel was once home to the Gorons, but they left when their numbers started to dwindle. Also, there is a Great Mayfly Fairy who lives in a Fairy Fountain on Mt. Crenel.
She can give Link a Bomb Bag upgrade. Relevant.
Four Swords
There is a Death Mountain in the world of Four Swords, but it is not the one that developed from Eldin Volcano.
I call this Death Mountain B. It is probably not a real Death Mountain at all, but rather a plain ol’ mountain named thusly for cosmetic reasons. However, it does share some similarities with Death Mountain A, such as housing a Great Fairy–
and being at the north of the world.
Ocarina of Time
Okay. This game marks the first definitive appearance of Death Mountain. That is to say, by the name of Death Mountain. Well, Death Mountain A. This mountain has developed from Mt. Crenel.
This is how it appears on the Ocarina of Time map.
This matches its Skyward Sword position much better than it does its Minish Cap one.
Death Mountain A has a perpetual large ring of smoke around its top. Remember this.
Anyway, this Death Mountain is situated directly behind Kakariko Village. There is actually a gate and a posted soldier between the two, to be sure that people who don’t have the Royal Family’s permission don’t climb the mountain.
This is because the mountain is very dangerous; the mountain is very active throughout the game, having rolling and falling boulders and Tektites, as well as unattentive, speedily rolling Gorons.
At the foot of Death Mountain, there is a giant boulder, which you must blow up, that is blocking the Dodongo’s Cavern.
This cavern is home to many Dodongo, and it is a source of food and tools for the Gorons. The cavern is actually deep and high into Death Mountain. Link gets his Bombs there. And look at the inside.
Note the brown, craggy, rocky textures. The entire cavern is like that.
Now, plowing one’s way to the heart of Death Mountain will take Link to Goron City, the capital and home of the Gorons. However, if Link goes to the very top of the mountain (which is even more dangerous, because the boulders are faster, more painful, and on fire), he can do one of two things.
One, he can bomb a fake wall to reveal a Great Fairy’s Fountain–
The Great Fairy teaches him the Magic Spin Attack.
Two, he can enter the Death Mountain Crater.
Now, the area has very important missions and items tied to it, but Link can’t stay very long because it is far too hot. Even Navi, his fairy companion, is in discomfort because of this. If you stay there too long, Link will die, but to circumvent this, he must obtain a Goron Tunic. This is what the Volcano Summit has become.
Also, in these screenshots, there are two very large rocks standing up and out of the lava, right next to each other. They are billowing smoke from their tops. This is the first appearance of the famous Death Mountain landmark, Spectacle Rock. And note that between them lays a Medallion Pedestal.
Death Mountain Crater features a bunch of ladders and rope bridges, such as the one Sheik teaches Link the Bolero of Fire on.
Note that most of them are in severe disrepair, having several rungs out. Because of this, Link must often use hisHookshot to pull himself over the bridges.
Inside the Death Mountain Crater, there is a place that Link must go to, which is called the Fire Temple.
It is inhabited by its brainwashed guardian deity, the dragon Volvagia.
And that’s Ocarina of Time’s Death Mountain. Now for the timeline split. As usual-
Downfall Timeline
A Link To The Past
The Death Mountain of this era is very, very, very big…but it has a secret.
This is the same Death Mountain that is featured in Ocarina of Time, of course. Look at the tan-circled area.
Yes, and it’s been rotated, along with the rest of Hyrule.
Now, due to a severe combination of erosion, architects, and Ganon’s evil influence, Death Mountain has been…broken open. That is to say, there is no difference between Death Mountain Crater, Goron City, or Dodongo’s Cavern in the context of this game, even though they almost all appear to some extent. Also, due to the above things, all the deadly lava has disappeared, rendering special items to withstand the erstwhile Death Mountain Crater unnecessary.
The rope bridges are amazingly still standing. Indeed, they look better than in Ocarina of Time. The aforementioned architects had repaired the bridges, to make it easier to traverse the mountain. Despite this, Link must still often use his Hookshot to pull himself over the broken bridges.
Of course, Spectacle Rock appears once again.
The aforementioned circumstances led it to get whetted down to this puny height, and get fused together.
Of course, the Medallion Pedestal no longer exists, having a cave entrance in its place, but next to Spectacle Rock, there is a formation of rocks that forms the exact same pattern.
Goron City no longer exists, because all the Gorons fled and went into hiding for years after Ganon wreaked his havoc.
Although the Light World version of Death Mountain does not have a Great Fairy, for some reason the Dark World version does.
Death Mountain is crawling (and jumping) with Tektites, red and blue, and giant falling boulders. It only gets worse in the Dark World version, however.
Remember Dodongo’s Cavern? Well, it appears here, albeit in a strange way.
The red rectangled area depicts the remains of Dodongo’s Cavern. Remember when I said that it reached high into Death Mountain? Well, now we see exactly how high. Of course, much of the cavern collapsed. But, there is a series of intricate tunnels and holes in the red area. But quite a few of them contain Bombs.
Note the brown, craggy, and rocky textures.
Strangely, Death Mountain is relatively far from Kakariko Village. Also, while there is no gate and no guard for the cave that leads into Death Mountain, there is a giant, unmovable (unless Link has the Titan’s Mitt) stone in the way, and a sign saying this.
Permission from the Royal Family (in this case only the King) is still necessary. However, the King is dead until the ending of the game, so the sign is really pointless.
Oracle of Ages + Oracle of Seasons
Presumably the same as in A Link To The Past; these games take place a very short time afterwards. However, in Oracle of Ages, Eyeglass Island looks very similar to Spectacle Rock.
Link’s Awakening
Presumably the same as in A Link To the Past; this game takes place only a short time after it. However, the peaks on the Tal Tal Mountain Range bear a very striking resemblance to Spectacle Rock, both in appearance and in function.
A Link Between Worlds
The Death Mountain found here isn’t all that much different.
There are really only two important differences. One, Spectacle Rock has been moved west of the Tower of Hera, and it contains lava, causing it to be active and spew lava and boulders.
Two, there is an area of Death Mountain called Rosso’s Ore Mine. It is located (well, part of it) in the area where the remains of Dodongo’s Cavern were in A Link To The Past.
By the way, this is Rosso.
He is a Sage, and possibly a descendant of Darunia. Yes, he’s Hylian. Look, don’t think about it too hard, all right?!
Tri Force Heroes
Presumably the same as in A Link Between Worlds; this game takes place only a short time after it.
Legend of Zelda
Death Mountain is…ridiculously huge in this time.
To better put it in perspective, here’s the entire map, with Death Mountain in red.
Yes. Every. Single. Bit. That’s all Death Mountain. A part of why it’s so big is the Lost Hills, the mountainous version of the Lost Woods. Indeed, after A Link Between Worlds, the Lost Woods began to decay and corrode, and the entire land got dryer. Thus did they become the Lost Hills.
Oh, and I couldn’t resist this artwork-
As usual, there are falling boulders and Tektites. The only difference is, now, the boulders roll down even when Link is not on Death Mountain.
The stubborn Spectacle Rock appears, in its penultimate appearance.
There is something special about it this time around, however; Ganon has made his lair inside Spectacle Rock. The dungeon is called Death Mountain, and it is where Link challenges Ganon at the end of the game.
Adventure of Link
Now this is just weird.
It is possible to visit the Hyrule of the past game here…or so they tell you. The “Death Mountain Area” includes only Death Mountain, the Graveyard, some grass that’s supposed to be the Lost Woods, and some water.
That’s the rubbish they want you to believe. Anyway, there’s not much difference.
Death Mountain is now an insane maze, with over a dozen winding, intricate tunnels, only a few of which lead to Spectacle Rock, and its item. The Hammer, specifically. Strangely, some areas of Death Mountain feature pools of lava with rope bridges over them. Hmm…
Speaking of Spectacle Rock, it’s no longer possible to visit Ganon’s lair, because it caved in after the events of the former game. Seems legit.
Child Timeline
Majora’s Mask
Presumably the same as in Ocarina of Time; this game takes place only a few months after it. However, Link does visit Termina’s Death Mountain counterpart, Woodfall.
Just like the Great Fairy of Power teaches Link the Magic Spin Attack in Death Mountain, so does the Great Fairy of Power teaches Link the Magic Spin Attack in Woodfall.
Twilight Princess
Death Mountain has thrived very well in this game.
As usual, it is behind Kakariko Village, although the distance is longer and the alignment is different. Also, it is in the Eldin Province.
In the centuries since Ocarina of Time, Death Mountain has still been inhabited by the Gorons. Indeed, they are thriving, having built various contraptions and mines and whatnot. The complete Goronness of the area is evidenced by its theme, which is actually a remix of the Goron City theme.
Remember how I said the rolling Gorons, not paying attention, would bowl over Link while he was scaling Death Mountain in Ocarina of Time? Well, they do the exact same thing here, only it starts the minute Link gets onto the mountain, and what’s more, it’s on purpose now. A fiercely rolling Goron will knock Link off, telling him not to come back until he gains some strength, calling him a “puny human”. The temporary Goron Elder, Gor Coron, has ordered this as a security measure. This is unavoidable until Link procures the Iron Boots and wrestles the Gorons away.
Even though it is the same Death Mountain in Ocarina of Time (Death Mountain A), within a few hundred years, there have been some terrain changes. First of all, there are several steam geysers all over the mountain, that will knock Link away if he attempts to approach. Second, there are now Hot Springs on the mountain. Gorons are shown to enjoy bathing and soaking in them, disproving the myth that water is fatal to all Gorons.
Death Mountain is still active, spewing its boulders, but it is far, far less active than it was in the Era of the Hero of Time. What’s more, the boulders only come when at the higher parts of the mountain.
Because the mountain is so tall, the Gorons have constructed several metal structures to help them reach the unreachable places. Link can climb onto the backs of certain Gorons and have them launch him up high onto the mountain.
The main attraction of Death Mountain in this game is Goron Mines. Link must get to the redesigned Goron City (even though it doesn’t go by that name) and wrestle the Goron Elder to gain admission.
Link takes an elevator and a secret passage to get to the Goron Mines.
This is the Dodongo’s Cavern, only expanded and redesigned. Remember how I said Dodongo’s Cavern was a source of food and tools for the Gorons? Well, here even more so. Just like Dodongo’s Cavern, it is infested with Fire Keese and Dodongos, and it also has loads of Beamos. The area now has wire walkways, cranes, magnetic walls, and ventilation, among other things.
Four Swords Adventures
There is a Death Mountain in this game, but it is not THE Death Mountain. No, this is Death Mountain C.
As usual, it is in the north.
No Kakariko Village, of course.
This Death Mountain is comprised of three parts: Death Mountain Foothills, The Mountain Path, and Tower of Flames.
This Death Mountain is much more lush and green than any other incarnation, for some reason.
On the Mountain Path part, the boss is the Helmaroc King. A rock formation similar to Spectacle Rock appears.
Adult Timeline
Wind Waker
In the centuries after the Great Flood, Death Mountain has become Dragon Roost Island.
Just like its ancestor, Dragon Roost Island has a perpetual large ring of smoke around its peak.
This is how they line up on the maps.
Dragon Roost, like its predecessor, is in the northeast quadrant. It also seems to not be as big or as wide. However, this can be attributed to the Great Flood. It has pulverised and eroded part of the mountain, leaving it either at the bottom of the ocean or as a part of a surrounding island.
Also, Dragon Roost Island seems a bit farther than it should be in comparison to Windfall Island, this game’s Kakariko Village. But then again. the Great Flood would have completely destroyed Death Mountain Trail and any lower areas.
The reason for the island’s name is relevant, too. Remember the guardian deity of the Gorons, the dragon Volvagia? Well, he has a descendant named Valoo.
He makes his nest (or roosts) on the top of the mountain, hence the island’s name. This can be seen in this picture.
The only thing is that Valoo is the patron deity of the Rito, the race that evolved from the Zora. This makes no sense, as Valoo’s ancestor was the patron deity for the Gorons, who are nowhere to be seen on their erstwhile home. Somehow, the Rito replaced the Gorons as the inhabitants of Death Mountain. The only Gorons in the game are merchants, roaming around the world on rafts, and attempting to hide their identity for some reason.
Even so, artwork and sculptures on the island depict the Gorons.
Also, where Dodongo’s Cavern and Death Mountain were the only places where Bomb Flowers could be found, Dragon Roost Island is one of the very few islands on which Bomb Flowers can be found.
There is a connected part of the island (actually inside it) that is called Dragon Roost Cavern.
This is quite a unique place. In the centuries between Ocarina of Time and the Great Flood (and due in part to the Great Flood), Death Mountain Crater has collapsed. This is why there is no Spectacle Rock here (we’ll talk more about that soon). The deepest effect that this had was that is collapsed the Fire Temple partially. It fused the Dodongo’s Cavern and the Fire Temple together. This is the reason why you can see depictions of Volvagia…
But you can also see the skull of the Giant Dead Dodongo-this can be seen in the top three screenshots of Dragon Roost Cavern. For comparison, this is how it appeared in the entrance room in Ocarina of Time.
The skull no longer has any significance-you can thank the Hero of Time for this. The only enemies that are the same are Keese and Fire Keese. Also, Fire Geysers are still present. Amazingly, despite everything that happened to Death Mountain, the lava went unscathed.
Now…Spectacle Rock. Some messed up stuff happened with that. In this game, there is a place called Spectacle Island.
Clearly, this is the Spectacle Rock of this game. Now, the odd thing is, it is directly to the west of Windfall Island, this game’s Kakariko Village. This doesn’t make a whole bunch of sense, because Spectacle Rock was located deep inside Death Mountain Crater.
I find it very hard to believe that Spectacle Rock (ONLY Spectacle Rock, mind you) just up and floated right next to Kakariko Village after the Great Flood. No, this is Spectacle Rock B. The only thing I can say is that sometime between the Hero of Time’s departure and the Great Flood, Hyrule gained another Spectacle Rock.
Phantom Hourglass
Not seen; Hyrule is now COMPLETELY flooded.
Spirit Tracks
Not seen.
Bonus
Super Smash Bros. (N64)
In the background of the Hyrule Castle Stage, Death Mountain can be seen in the background, with its classic revolving ring of smoke.
Technically, it’s even possible to “go” there, by getting Star KO’d in the right position. The background is the same in the classic DLC stage both Super Smash Bros. For Wii U and Super Smash Bros. For 3DS.
Legend of Zelda (Wii U)
This game appears to have two, or even possibly threeDeath Mountains.
It is worth mentioning that in the Zelda series, there is almost never a notable mountain in a game where there’s a Death Mountain. Also, no volcano has ever been seen in a game where there’s a Death Mountain.
Well, that’s the fate of Death Mountain and Spectacle Rock? What d’you think? Letteth me knoweth down beloweth.
But that doesn’t make much logical sense. There’s no sign of the houses, the large corral, the barn, or anything. Furthermore, the majority of the ranch was built of brick, not of stone. So, the next candidate is Hyrule Castle Town, as well as the surrounding area. Much of that is bricken, and there are plenty of iron fences, like on Lon Lon Ranch. It is likely that after four hundred years, the ranch owners died, with no one to leave the ranch to. The ranch overgrew and overgrew, until it was finally mowed and razed down and had the Castle Town built over it. Pretty sad, if you ask me. Oh, and this is its position on the map.
As you can see, the entrance to the Forest Temple is a giant tree. Notably, it has the red Kokiri symbol on many of its doors and surfaces, such as this.
thelinguistgamer 