Desert Palace is a recurring Dungeon in The Legend of Zelda series.[1]
Overview[]
A Link to the Past[]
Entrance to the Palace[]
The palace is located in the south-west corner of Hyrule in the Desert of Mystery. Access is granted only by using the Book of Mudora to read the inscription on the stone that is placed on a small square with three statues surrounding it. The tablet instructs Link to wish for the way forward to open. Link raises his eyes upward and appears to cross himself before joining his hands in prayer. When he finishes, the statues revolve 180 degrees around the platform, opening a pathway to the Palace entrance.
[]
Many of this dungeon's rooms have sand floors, with enemies that hide inside quicksand which attack Link by firing projectiles at him. It is also the first time Beamos are found. Interestingly, most of the rooms are accessible at first, and some of them lead to alternate exits. The main treasure is the Power Glove, which allows Link to lift boulders. The boss is a group of three Lanmolas. After defeating them, Link receives a Heart Container and the Pendant of Power.
Around three-fourths of the way through the dungeon, Link must actually exit through one of the outer stone heads and use the Power Glove to venture toward the second floor, where the bosses are found a few rooms further. This feature of exiting a dungeon entirely in order to progress further is shared with the Skull Woods in the same game, the Spirit Temple in Ocarina of Time, and Mermaid's Cave in Oracle of Ages.
Minor Enemies[]
A Link Between Worlds[]
Entrance to the Palace[]
Despite being a Dungeon from which one of the Seven Sages is rescued, the Desert Palace rests in Hyrule, as opposed to the other six Dungeons found in Lorule. It is the only one of these Dungeons that cannot be accessed before the others, due to the Sand Rod being rented out to Osfala, who must first be rescued from the Thieves' Hideout. To access the Desert Palace, Link must go to a small, cavernous area between the Southern Ruins of Hyrule and the Desert of Mystery, then travel through a Fissure to Misery Mire. From there, other Fissures lead him back to the upper areas of the Desert, which can then be crossed using the Sand Rod, leading to the Dungeon's entrance.
[]
Many of the Desert Palace's rooms are filled with sand. The Sand Rod is required in order to create pathways for Link to cross, whether on foot or by Wall Merging. There are also numerous sand-based puzzles, like elevating a Beamos with the Sand Rod so its beams can hit Switches, filling a room with sand in order to reach otherwise inaccessible areas, and moving Gimos Statues to activate Floor Switches. In a later room, rolling Balls must be guided toward cracked and breakable blocks using the Sand Rod. The Dungeon contains the Titan's Mitt, which enables Link to lift large boulders that block certain doors and entrances.
The Sub-Bosses of the Desert Palace are a series of 32 Flying Tiles followed by a pair of Devalants, which become regular enemies later on in the Dungeon. There are two points in which Link must exit the Dungeon and enter another area to proceed; first to reach the second floor where the Sub-Bosses await, and again beyond the Big Key door, where a Fissure leads to the Boss's enclosure in Misery Mire. Once Link defeats Zaganaga, he will be rewarded with a Heart Container and the Painting of the Sage, Irene.
The Compass is in the northwestern first floor room in an easily accessible Treasure Chest. The Big Key is on a platform in the central eastern room on the second floor. It cannot be immediately accessed; Link must first raise the sand level in the room to the north, then return and use the Sand Rod to get to the Chest.
The Titan's Mitt is in the central northern room of the first floor. To access it, Link must pull a Lever on the west side of the room to raise the sand level. He must then press a Switch on the north platform of the room to open the wall around the chest. Then, using a combination of the Sand Rod and Wall Merging to get behind the torrent of sand, he can access the Mitt.
Minor Enemies[]
Trivia[]
- In A Link to the Past, this is one of the few dungeons which Link is required to leave and re-enter in order to complete it.
- In A Link to the Past, once Link reads the inscription in front of the Palace and the statues move, he cannot leave the dungeon through the main entrance. He must find an alternate exit if he wishes to leave.
- The Spirit Temple in Ocarina of Time borrowed elements from this dungeon such as the dungeon setting, the multiple entrances and the dungeon treasure being the Silver Gauntlets, very similar items to the Power Gloves.
- The Desert Temple from Four Swords Adventures is extremely similar to the Desert Palace, with almost identical architecture and enemies. Their names are the same in Japanese, so they are possibly intended to be the same location.
- The Stone Tower Temple of Majora's Mask is strikingly similar to the Desert Palace concerning its architecture, desert location, and boss (Twinmold and Lanmola being nearly identical in physical appearance, surroundings, mannerisms, and weaknesses).
Nomenclature[]
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 | Japanese | 砂漠の神殿 (Sabaku no Shinden) (ALttP | ALBW)[2][3] | Desert Sanctuary/Temple |
 | FrenchCA | Palais du Désert (ALBW)[4] | |
 | FrenchEU | Palais du désert (ALBW)[5] | |
 | German | Wüstentempel (ALBW)[6] | |
 | Italian | Tempio del Deserto (ALBW)[7] | |
 | Korean | 사막의 신전 (Samag-ui Sinjeon) (ALBW)[8] | |
 | SpanishEU | Templo del Desierto (ALBW)[9] | |
 | SpanishLA | Templo del Desierto (ALBW)[10] | |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | |||
Gallery[]
The Fissure to Zaganaga's arena from A Link Between Worlds
The Ball room from A Link Between Worlds
Link defending against Flying Tiles from A Link Between Worlds
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 147 (ALttP) & 159 (ALBW)
- ↑ A Link to the Past manual, pg. 2, 3 Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1, Shogakukan, pg. 3
- ↑ "砂漠の神殿で迷う
オヌシの姿が見えるぞ" — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Je te vois, perdu dans les couloirs du palais du Désert." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Je te vois, perdu dans les couloirs du palais du désert." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Ich seeehe... Ich seeehe... Du stehst ratlos im Wüstentempel. Du blickst durch die Hinweisbrille!" — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Veeedo... veeedo... te smarrito nel Tempio del Deserto." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "사막의 신전에서 헤매는
자네의 모습이 보이네" — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Me está llegaaando... Te veo vagando por el Templo del Desierto..." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Me está llegaaando... Te veo vagando por el Templo del Desierto..." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
Dungeons in The Legend of Zelda series
Parapa Palace · Midoro Palace · Island Palace · Maze Island Palace
Palace on the Sea · Three-Eye Rock Palace 
· Great Palace
Light World
Sewer Passageway · Eastern Palace · Desert Palace · Tower of Hera · Hyrule Castle Tower
Dark World
Palace of Darkness · Swamp Palace · Skull Woods · Thieves' Town (Dungeon) · Ice Palace · Misery Mire (Dungeon) · Turtle Rock · Ganon's Tower
Palace of the Four Sword
Main Dungeons
Tail Cave · Bottle Grotto · Key Cavern · Angler's Tunnel · Catfish's Maw · Face Shrine · Eagle's Tower · Turtle Rock · Wind Fish's Egg
Mini-Dungeons
Moblin Cave · Kanalet Castle · Ancient Ruins
Optional Dungeons
Color Dungeon (LADX | LANS) · Chamber Dungeon (LANS)
Child Dungeons
Inside the Deku Tree · Dodongo's Cavern · Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly
Adult Dungeons'
Forest Temple · Fire Temple · Water Temple · Shadow Temple · Spirit Temple · Ganon's Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Woodfall Temple · Snowhead Temple · Great Bay Temple · Stone Tower Temple
Mini-Dungeons
Swamp Spider House · Pirates' Fortress · Oceanside Spider House · Beneath the Well · Ancient Castle of Ikana
Moon Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Spirit's Grave · Wing Dungeon · Moonlit Grotto · Skull Dungeon · Crown Dungeon · Mermaid's Cave · Jabu-Jabu's Belly · Ancient Tomb · Black Tower (Turret) · Room of Rites(OoS | OoA)
Mini-Dungeons
Maku Road · Great Moblin's Keep · Ambi's Palace · Black Tower (Rescue Zelda) · Hero's Cave
Main Dungeons
Gnarled Root Dungeon · Snake's Remains · Poison Moth's Lair · Dancing Dragon Dungeon · Unicorn's Cave · Ancient Ruins · Explorer's Crypt · Sword & Shield Maze · Onox's Castle · Room of Rites(OoS | OoA)
Mini-Dungeons
Chambers of Insight · Sea of Trees · Talus Cave · Death Mountain · Vaati's Palace
Anniversary Edition
Main Dungeons
Forsaken Fortress · Dragon Roost Cavern · Forbidden Woods · Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple · Wind Temple · Ganon's Tower
Mini-Dungeons
Whereabouts of the Wind — Lake Hylia · Cave of No Return · Hyrule Castle
Eastern Hyrule — The Coast · Village of the Blue Maiden · Eastern Temple
Death Mountain — Death Mountain Foothills · The Mountain Path · Tower of Flames
Near the Fields — The Field · The Swamp · Infiltration of Hyrule Castle
The Dark World — Lost Woods · Kakariko Village (Four Swords Adventures) · Temple of Darkness
Desert of Doubt — Desert of Doubt · Desert Temple · Pyramid
Frozen Hyrule — Frozen Hyrule · Temple of Ice · Tower of Winds
Realm of the Heavens — Realm of the Heavens · The Dark Cloud · Palace of Winds
Main Dungeons
Deepwood Shrine · Cave of Flames · Fortress of Winds · Temple of Droplets · Palace of Winds · Dark Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Forest Temple · Goron Mines · Lakebed Temple · Arbiter's Grounds · Snowpeak Ruins
Temple of Time · City in the Sky · Palace of Twilight · Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Lantern Caverns · Cave of Ordeals · Cave of Shadows (TPHD)
Dungeons
Temple of Fire · Temple of Wind · Temple of Courage · Ghost Ship · Goron Temple · Temple of Ice · Mutoh's Temple
Master Dungeon
Dungeons
Forest Temple · Snow Temple · Ocean Temple · Fire Temple · Sand Temple
Master Dungeon
Mini-Dungeon
Lost at Sea Station · Tunnel to the Tower · Take 'Em All On!
Main Dungeons
Skyview Temple · Earth Temple · Lanayru Mining Facility · Ancient Cistern · Sandship · Fire Sanctuary · Sky Keep
Mini-Dungeons
Hyrule
Eastern Palace · Tower of Hera · House of Gales · Inside Hyrule Castle
Desert Palace
Lorule
Ice Ruins · Swamp Palace · Thieves' Hideout · Dark Palace
Skull Woods · Turtle Rock · Lorule Castle
Woodlands — Deku Forest (Level) · Buzz Blob Cave · Moblin Base · Forest Temple
Riverside — Secret Fortress · Abyss of Agony · Cove of Transition · Water Temple
Volcano — Blazing Trail · Hinox Mine · Den of Flames · Fire Temple
Ice Cavern — Frozen Plateau · Snowball Ravine · Silver Shrine · Ice Temple
Fortress — Sealed Gateway · Bomb Storage · Training Ground · The Lady's Lair
The Dunes — Infinity Dunes · Stone Corridors · Gibdo Mausoleum · Desert Temple
The Ruins — Illusory Mansion · Palace Noir · Lone Labyrinth · Grim Temple
Sky Realm — Floating Garden · Deception Castle · Dragon Citadel · Sky Temple
Forest Zone · Flooded Zone · Scorching Zone · Frozen Zone · Fortified Zone · Desert Zone · Shadow Zone · Baneful Zone
Main Dungeons
Divine Beast Vah Ruta · Divine Beast Vah Rudania · Divine Beast Vah Medoh · Divine Beast Vah Naboris · Hyrule Castle · Final Trial (TCB)
Mini-Dungeons
Trial of the Sword (TMT ) · Yiga Clan Hideout
Ancient Shrines
Akh Va'quot ·
Bosh Kala ·
Chaas Qeta ·
Daag Chokah ·
Dagah Keek ·
Dah Kaso ·
Dah Hesho ·
Daka Tuss ·
Dako Tah ·
Daqa Koh ·
Daqo Chisay ·
Dila Maag ·
Dow Na'eh ·
Dunba Taag ·
Gee Ha'rah ·
Gorae Torr ·
Ha Dahamar ·
Hawa Koth ·
Hia Miu ·
Hila Rao ·
Ishto Soh ·
Ja Baij ·
Jee Noh ·
Jitan Sa'mi ·
Joloo Nah ·
Ka'o Makagh ·
Kaam Ya'tak ·
Kah Mael Shrine ·
Kah Okeo Shrine ·
Kah Yah Shrine ·
Kam Urog Shrine ·
Katah Chuki ·
Katosa Aug ·
Kay Noh ·
Kaya Wan ·
Kayra Mah ·
Ke'nai Shakah ·
Keeha Yoog ·
Keh Namut ·
Kema Kosassa ·
Kema Zoos ·
Keo Ruug ·
Ketoh Wawai ·
Korgu Chideh ·
Korsh O'hu ·
Kuh Takkar ·
Kuhn Sidajj ·
Lakna Rokee ·
Lanno Kooh ·
Maag Halan ·
Maag No'rah ·
Maka Rah ·
Mezza Lo ·
Mijah Rokee ·
Mirro Shaz ·
Misae Suma ·
Mo'a Keet ·
Mogg Latan ·
Monya Toma ·
Mozo Shenno ·
Muwo Jeem ·
Myahm Agana ·
Namika Ozz ·
Ne'ez Yohma ·
Noya Neha ·
Oman Au ·
Owa Daim ·
Pumaag Nitae ·
Qua Raym ·
Qaza Tokki ·
Qukah Nata ·
Raqa Zunzo ·
Ree Dahee ·
Rin Oyaa ·
Ritaag Zumo ·
Rok Uwog ·
Rona Kachta ·
Rota Ooh ·
Rucco Maag ·
Saas Ko'sah ·
Sah Dahaj ·
Sasa Kai ·
Sha Gehma ·
Sha Warvo ·
Shada Naw ·
Shae Katha ·
Shae Loya ·
Shae Mo'sah ·
Shai Utoh ·
Shai Yota ·
Shee Vaneer ·
Shee Venath ·
Sheem Dagoze ·
Sheh Rata ·
Sho Dantu ·
Shoda Sah ·
Shoqa Tatone ·
Shora Hah ·
Soh Kofi ·
Suma Sahma ·
Ta'loh Naeg ·
Tah Muhl ·
Tahno O'ah ·
Tawa Jinn ·
Tena Ko'sah ·
Tho Kayu ·
To Quomo ·
Toh Yahsa ·
Toto Sah ·
Tu Ka'loh ·
Tutsuwa Nima ·
Voo Lota ·
Wahgo Katta ·
Ya Naga ·
Yah Rin ·
Zalta Wa ·
Ze Kahso ·
Zuna Kai
Ancient Shrines (TCB)
Etsu Korima · Kamia Omuna · Kee Dafunia · Keive Tala · Kiah Toza · Kihiro Moh · Mah Eliya · Noe Rajee · Rinu Honika · Rohta Chigah · Ruvo Korbah · Sato Koda · Sharo Lun · Shira Gomar · Takama Shiri · Yowaka Ita
Main Dungeons
Wind Temple · Fire Temple · Water Temple · Lightning Temple · Hyrule Castle · Spirit Temple · Gloom's Lair
Mini-Dungeons
Level 1 — Ordon Target Practice · Gerudo Stalfos: Defender · Arbiter's Grounds: Ranger
Level 2 — Goron Target Practice · Zora River: Defender · Skull Shooting
Level 3 — Kakariko Target Practice · Fruit Balloons · The Great Bridge: Defender
Level 4 — Zora River Target Practice · Hyrule Castle: Defender · Skulltula Forest: Ranger
Level 5 — Oocca Target Practice · Gerudo Moldorm: Defender · The Shootout
Level 6 — Ordon Target Practice 2 · Bridge of Eldin: Defender · Snowpeak Ruins: Ranger
Level 7 — Underground Target Practice · City in the Sky: Defender · Temple of Time: Ranger
Level 8 — Horseback Target Practice · Snowpeak Ruins: Defender · Darknut Battle
Finale — Ranch Target Practice · Sacred Grove: Defender · Fossil Stallord Battle