With over 30 years of history, The Legend of Zelda series has left a number of impressions. Known as one of the most consistently good franchises in the world of gaming, fans flock to each title to experience a unique open world full of fantastic art, amazing music, and iconic level design.
For those who love puzzles, Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda can satisfy. The dungeon (and for the sake of this article, temple) designs in each title are iconic and give players a sense of awe, frustration, and accomplishment. They're so good, in fact, we want to celebrate the best of the best in the franchise.
WARNING: This list may contain minor plot spoilers for multiple games in the series.
10 Stone Tower Temple (Majora's Mask)
Located in the Ikana region of Termina, the Stone Tower Temple is one of the most interesting dungeons in The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask. Notable for its fantastic design, Link actually traverses the area upside-down along with right-side-up. Interestingly enough, the temple mirrors itself in both directions. To beat it, players will need to use most of the items they picked up along the way, making it feel like a real payoff.
9 Forest Temple (Ocarina Of Time)
As the first temple players experience as Adult Link in The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, the Forest Temple found deep inside the Lost Woods is the perfect area to highlight how different the second portion of the game will be. Bigger than any dungeon experienced prior, Link must hunt down spirits who have dispersed throughout the entire area.
All of this is done to one of the most beautifully haunting scores in the game. Capping off the temple is a fantastic boss battle against Phantom Gannon, who rides his horse in and out of paintings just to show off what the Nintendo 64 could do visually.
8 Wind Temple (Wind Waker)
The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker is mostly recognized for its timeless cell-shaded art direction. While this style has been adopted for other titles in the series, at the time of its release in 2002, the game was visually different than anything we've ever seen in the series. Adding to that feeling of change, the game was presented in a vastly different manner as well. So, it's not surprising that the Wind Temple, which blends forest elements as well, is so highly regarded.
Blending two of the franchises biggest reoccurring temple themes — wind and earth — this temple is located on Gale Isle, the Wind Temple houses the Hookshot in The Legend of Zelda Wind Waker. It's also home to Molgera, a visually striking boss that fits the temple perfectly.
7 Turtle Rock (A Link To The Past)
While also featured in The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening and The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds, the best version is in The Legend of Zelda A Link to The Past. Located in the Dark World atop Death Mountain, this temple differs itself from other temples in the game by looking more like a cavern than a man-made temple. This dungeon is also notable for introducing Chain Chomps to the series. This is a great dungeon with great design elements, secret pathways, and more.
6 Lorule Castle (A Link Between Worlds)
As an attempt to recapture the magic of The Legend of Zelda A Link To The Past, The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds is a very good entry in the series. While the top-down nature and great use of the Nintendo 3D's visual capabilities were some of the main reasons why players fell in love with the game, the dungeon design is very understated these days. A perfect example of this is Lorule Castle.
As the final dungeon in the game, Lorule castle is grand, challenging, and intelligently designed. With lava beneath Link, players must work their way up the castle, using items to reach areas that seem impossible to get to. The dungeon ends with a fight between Link and Yuga Ganon, paying homage to some classic fights between the two in the past while adding the wall painting mechanic into the battle.
5 Snowpeak Ruins (Twilight Princess)
Snowpeak Ruins definitely gets credit for being one of the most unique dungeons in The Legend of Zelda franchise. Taking place in a run-down mansion inhabited by two abominable snowpeople, Yeto and his wife Yeta, Link must help one of the owners make soup while looking for a mirror shard. Aside from being different, however, the level has some extreme highs. Introducing the ball and chain weapon, players get to use one of the most destructive items in the Zelda franchise.
Yet, it's the boss battle that sets it over the top. Walking into a small room, the adorable Yeta transforms into a demonic monster, in one of the most terrifying moments in the franchise. The battle is relatively emotional and challenging, making it one of the most memorable parts of the game.
4 Lanayru Mining Facility (Skyward Sword)
While The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword isn't exactly loved by the fanbase as much as other titles in the franchise, one area most agreed was great was the Lanayru Mining Facility. Jumping between the deteriorated present and the technologically advanced future, this temple is brilliantly designed. While not as challenging as other dungeons on this list, the visuals pop, and the music is fantastic.
3 Arbiter's Grounds (Twilight Princess)
The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess differed greatly from its more cartoon-inspired precursor, Wind Waker. While visually and thematically, this is apparent from the beginning, there's one major difference between the two — the scale of the dungeons. Arbiter's Grounds may be the perfect example of this. Located deep in Gerudo Valley, this temple is unique for its inclusion of the spinner item that allows Link to move throughout the area a little faster.
Capping this amazing temple off is arguably the best boss fight in the franchise against the skeletal Stallard, where Link must use the spinner to jump from side to side of a spiraling cylindrical room.
2 Shadow Temple (Ocarina of Time)
When it comes to The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time's iconic temples, there may not be one designed as well as the Shadow Temple. Built to be equal parts trippy and scary, this mind-bending temple's entrance is found in the Karkariko Graveyard. With a macabre aesthetic, players learn this location was once used by the Sheikah to torture those who crossed the Royal Family. Blood stains the walls, terrifying monsters lurk in the rooms, and pathways are hidden behind walls only found by using the Lens of Truth. Adding to this, players are treated to a truly fun boss battle as they take on the creepy Bongo Bongo. Everything clicks in this temple, and it's a big reason why Ocarina of Time is so memorable.
1 City In The Sky (Twilight Princess)
While it may not be the most iconic temple in The Legend of Zelda series, City in The Sky is the most epic. Giving players the Double Hookshot, Link can Batman his way in the air across the dungeon. Visually stunning, the temple gives off a feeling of grandeur, and almost emits a heavenly feeling.
Yet, mixed in with its beauty are the strange Ooccoos who call this home. These chicken-man-alien hybrids habitat this land and really add a level of weird to this beautiful experience. In addition to this, the level design is tight, utilizing multiple items and the wind itself to create a brilliant experience.