Boss Key

The Big Key, also known as the Boss Key, is a recurring item in the Legend of Zelda series. This special key is needed to enter the room of a dungeon's boss, and, in some games, is needed to open a dungeon's big chest, in order to obtain the dungeon's item. Contrary to the other big prize of a dungeon guarded by a mini-boss, one will usually has to solve a puzzle or riddle rather than win a difficult fight to get this item.

In some games, it serves as a dungeon's "master key", and can unlock certain doors other than the door to the boss room. In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The Big Key is requires to open the chest to receive the Item, as well as open the boss door. They are usually found on a dungeon's map screen, but in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Link has to carry the Big Key through a dungeon to unlock the huge lock before a boss room. In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Link has to collect three parts of the Big Key of the Goron Mines in order to repair it. In the same game, the Bedroom Key serves as the Big Key of the Snowpeak Ruins. This marks the first time Big Keys appear with multiple designs in the Legend of Zelda series.