Death Mountain

Death Mountain (Japanese, Desu-Maunten) is located in the land of Hyrule in the ''Legend of Zelda series of videogames. Its first appearance was in the original Legend of Zelda videogame for the Nintendo Entertainment System and has subsequently appeared in several games in the series.

Based on the events detailed in the Wind Waker, it seems likely that Death Mountain is in fact two different locations: one being the volcano shown in Ocarina of Time and the other being the mountain that appears in the games that fall later in series chronology.

The Legend of Zelda and the Animated Series
Death Mountain is the location of Ganon's fortress in northern Hyrule. In the game, Ganon's lair (officially known as "Level 9") is accessible by bombing a portion of "Spectacle Rock" in extreme northwest Hyrule, and then only if Link has all the Triforce shards. Level 6 is also located on Death Mountain. Death Mountain is inhabited by Tektites, Lynels, and falling rocks. There is a lake on the east end which flows into a waterfall, which in turns flows into a river which flows into Lake Hylia. The Lost Hills are located directly east of Death Mountain.

The Adventure of Link
Death Mountain is in the Southwest portion of the map. The mountain (really more of a mountain range) is home to a maze-like network of caves. The game is set in Northern Hyrule, and is believed to take place above the area in The Legend of Zelda. In fact, there is speculation that the portion of the game known as Death Mountain Area (the non-mountain area directly south of Death Mountain) is where The Legend of Zelda took place; compare the area with maps of Hyrule from The Legend of Zelda and you'll be able to identify Spectacle Rock, the graveyard, Lake Hylia, and the Lost Woods, roughly in the appropriate position in relation to Death Mountain.



A Link to the Past
Death Mountain is the location of Hera's Tower in the Light World, and Ganon's Tower and Turtle Rock in the Dark World. It's inhabited by Tektites, Lynels, and falling rocks. There seems to be an old man living on Death Mountain as well. In the Light World, the entrance is guarded by a large boulder. Though no lake is actually seen on Death Mountain itself, there is a waterfall in the northeastern corner of Hyrule which, judging from its position, most likely comes from a body of water on Death Mountain. The waterfall flows into a river which flows into Lake Hylia, possibly a throwback to The Legend of Zelda.

Kodai no Sekiban
Death Mountain is the location of the "untranslatable slab" (no known official name) in the Light World, and Ganon's Tower in the Dark World.

Ocarina of Time
In Ocarina of Time, Death Mountain is located in the far northwest reaches of the country. The Fire Temple is located inside the Death Mountain Crater, where Link must kill Volvagia, an old dragon that once was destroyed by the old hero of the Goron people.

The Gorons also live in Death Mountain, inside a cave network with four levels called Goron City. All their rock supply comes from Dodongo's Cavern, which in the time of the invasion of Ganondorf had been overrun by the extinct race of Dodongo Dragons and the giant Lizard called King Dodongo.

Outside the Goron City barrier, Death Mountain can be climbed but it constantly spits out rocks. A Fairy Fountain is hidden at the top of Death Mountain; the Great Fairy there grants Link her magic power. Inside the Death Mountain Crater a second Great Fairy who can enhance Link's magic lives. Like nearly all incarnations of Death Mountain, this one is inhabited by Tektites and falling rocks (though the Lynels appear to be missing).

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
After Hyrule was flodded by the gods, it became to be known as Dragon Roost Island, with Lord Valoo, a dragon living on top of it. It is no longer inhabited by the Gorons, who possibly moved to Greatfish Isle, but instead the Rito race live there in dwellings cut into the mountain. The second dungeon, Dragon Roost Cavern, takes place in the mountain, where Link must defeat Gohma.