A Hyrule adventure atlasThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the PastGUIDES

A Link to the Past Dungeons: All 13 in Order

Every dungeon in play order with its treasure, boss and reward. Pick one for the route, key chests, enemies and boss strategy.

Light World: the Pendants of Virtue

Dark World: the seven crystals

Dungeon order at a glance

Dungeon basics

  • Each dungeon has a Dungeon Map, a Compass (not in Hyrule Castle) and a Big Key that opens the big chest and the boss door.
  • Small keys only work in the dungeon where you find them.
  • Every boss from the Eastern Palace to Turtle Rock leaves a Heart Container. All Heart Containers.
  • Carry a Bottle with a fairy or potion before the later Dark World dungeons. Where the Bottles are.

FAQ

How many dungeons are in A Link to the Past?

Thirteen if you count Hyrule Castle: the castle escape, three Light World palaces for the Pendants of Virtue, Agahnim’s tower, seven Dark World dungeons for the crystals and Ganon’s Tower.

What order do you do the dungeons in?

Light World: Hyrule Castle, Eastern Palace, Desert Palace, Tower of Hera, then Agahnim’s tower. Dark World: Palace of Darkness, Swamp Palace, Skull Woods, Thieves’ Town, Ice Palace, Misery Mire, Turtle Rock and Ganon’s Tower. Full route.

Can you do the Dark World dungeons out of order?

Partly. Items set the order: the Ice Palace needs the Titan’s Mitt from Thieves’ Town, Misery Mire needs the Ether Medallion and Flute, and Turtle Rock needs the Quake Medallion and the Cane of Somaria from Misery Mire.

Which dungeon gives which item?

Palace of Darkness: Magic Hammer; Swamp Palace: Hookshot; Skull Woods: Fire Rod; Thieves’ Town: Titan’s Mitt; Ice Palace: Blue Mail; Misery Mire: Cane of Somaria; Turtle Rock: Mirror Shield; Hyrule Castle: Boomerang; Eastern Palace: Bow; Desert Palace: Power Glove; Tower of Hera: Moon Pearl.

Sources & picture credits

Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Zeldapedia. Screenshots, sprites and artwork © Nintendo; local copies archived from Zeldapedia file pages (listed on the image gallery).