- Not to be confused with Dungeon Map.
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File:File:PH Link 01.png.png [[|]] Maps are recurring items in The Legend of Zelda series.[1] They often show detailed representations of places Link can explore. There are mainly World and Dungeon Maps used for exploring their respective areas, but certain Maps exist that serve other purposes.
Location and Uses
Maps are obviously used for navigation, but their uses have become increasingly elaborate as The Legend of Zelda series has progressed. They have been used in every game with the exception of The Adventure of Link and Tri Force Heroes. Maps detail the layout of the Overworld or a Dungeon and often show Link's current location.[2][3][4] As with Dungeon Maps, World Maps are often blank until an area is explored or a full Map of an area is obtained. In many Legend of Zelda titles, Maps can only be viewed on a subscreen, but in The Legend of Zelda, a very simplistic mini-map could be viewed in the HUD.[5] This is similar to the Map used during gameplay of Four Swords. The mini-map mechanic did not return until Ocarina of Time, in which it only shows the area Link is currently traveling and his position in accordance to the Map, as well as where he entered from.[6] The mini-map returned in every console title until Skyward Sword. Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks displayed Maps on the top screen of the Nintendo DS with the ability to move them to the touchscreen to write notes and draw paths.[7][4] Despite their similarities, World Maps and Dungeon Maps often have distinct differences.
World Map
The Legend of Zelda only displayed a plain gray square on screen, which represented the Overworld. A flashing red rectangle indicated Link's location.[8] Full World Maps have been available during gameplay since A Link to the Past. Oftentimes, key locations will be marked on World Maps, such as Towns and Link’s next destination.[9][10] In A Link to the Past and every game since The Wind Waker, it often possible to magnify an area of the World Map to get a keener look at the layout. When Warping is possible, some of the titles in the series would display the World Map to show where Link can warp to. The World Map is not always used only for navigation; in Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures, the World Map is used for selection different stages. The World Map of Skyward Sword allowed Link to place light Beacons to guide the way to a chosen destination. There are diverse methods of obtaining and using World Maps throughout the series.
Sometimes, Link begins an adventure with a full World Map. In A Link to the Past, the World Maps are available in their entirety from the start.[11] Link's Awakening's World Map starts out blank, but an atlas in Mabe Village's Library reveals every location on Koholint.[12] Though only a level select screen, Four Swords' Map can also be wholly viewed from the start, with a few minor additions as the game progresses.
Most commonly, the areas of the World Map must be filled in. Link’s Awakening includes a World Map with a grid, and is the first game in the series where each location on the World Map is labeled.[13] Each section of the grid is obscured until explored. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages use the same mapping system.[14] Similarly, the World Map of Ocarina of Time shows only places that have been visited, though a grid is not in place.[15] Similarly, Four Swords Adventures, The Minish Cap, Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword also mark new regions on the Map when Link first enters them. New Islands and Train Stations in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks can also be viewed through the World Map only after they are discovered.[16]
Sometimes, parts of the World Map can only be viewed by buying or otherwise earning them first. Maps for each region in Majora's Mask must be purchased from Tingle, even if a region has already been explored.[17][18] The Sea Chart in The Wind Waker can only be updated with images of islands by tossing Fishmen All-Purpose Bait.[19][20] Smith gives Link a World Map early in The Minish Cap, though its regions on the Map must be uncovered as described earlier.[21]
While useful, the World Map was not necessary to move forward in most Zelda games. However, Maps were crucial for exploration in both Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. No region of the Overworld in Phantom Hourglass could be explored until Link had a Sea Chart for that area, each of which could be found in the Temple of the Ocean King.[22] Together, the World Map was separated into quadrants. This is much like the Rail Map in Spirit Tracks, which had also had four parts, one for each of the four realms. A part of the Rail Map must be attained from the Spirit Tower to visit the Realm detailed on it.[23] To travel across either of these Overworlds, a course must be charted on the Maps themselves.[24][25]
Dungeon Map
Dungeon Maps are found in Treasure Chests inside Dungeons. Once obtained, a Dungeon Map will allow Link to see every room of every floor in the Dungeon it was found in.
Nomenclature
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 | Japanese | マップ (Mappu) (ALttP)[26] | Same as English. |
 | Russian | Карта (Karta) (BotW) | Map |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | |||
Gallery
Artwork of Link with a dungeon Map and Compass from A Link to the Past
- TMC Link and Ezlo Artwork.png
Artwork of Link and Ezlo reading a Map from The Minish Cap
Overworld Map
Hyrule Map artwork from The Legend of Zelda
Hyrule Map artwork from The Adventure of Link
Hyrule Map artwork from The Adventure of Link
Hyrule Map from A Link to the Past
Dark World Map from A Link to the Past
Koholint Island Map from Link's Awakening
- Hyrule Map OoT.jpg
Hyrule Map artwork from Ocarina of Time
Hyrule Map artwork from Ocarina of Time 3D
Termina Map artwork from Majora's Mask
Termina Map artwork from Majora's Mask 3D
Holodrum Map from Oracle of Seasons
Subrosia Map from Oracle of Seasons
Present Labrynna Map from Oracle of Ages
Past Labrynna Map from Oracle of Ages
Hyrule Map from Four Swords
Great Sea Map from The Wind Waker
Hyrule Map from Four Swords Adventures
- Hyrule Minish Cap.png
Hyrule Map from The Minish Cap
Hyrule Map from Twilight Princess
World of the Ocean King Map from Phantom Hourglass
New Hyrule Map from Spirit Tracks
Surface Map from Skyward Sword
Hyrule Map from A Link Between Worlds
Lorule Map from A Link Between Worlds
Hyrule Map from Hyrule Warriors
Merged Hyrule Map from Hyrule Warriors
Map Icons
Please remember to remove this template once the image(s) have been added.
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See Also
References
- ↑ "Take a look at the map on your Sheikah Slate." — Old Man (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "You got the Map! You can use it to see your current position and the rest of the dungeon (Press X)." — N/A (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "Using the Map Screen, you can view the entire overworld of Koholint Island and check your current location." (Link's Awakening manual, pg. 11)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Error: book title required, Prima Games, pg. 9
- ↑ "Once Link steps inside the underground labyrinths the above ground radar at the top left of the screen turns into the radar of the labyrinths. What's more, if Link has the map of the labyrinths, then the map also will be displayed on the radar." (The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 32)
- ↑ "There is a map displayed at the bottom right of the screen. The yellow arrow shows your current position and direction you are facing. The red mark shows where you entered the area from." — Know-It-All Brother (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "How about we write it on our map? To do that, tap the Map icon, then scribble to your heart's content!" — Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
- ↑ "...Look at the top left of the main screen. You see a little map there. This is Link's radar. You can use it to check roughly where he is." (The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 27)
- ↑ "That mark on your map must be your destination." — Soldier (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "On the Map Subscreen, you will also see a flashing dot showing you which way you should go next." — Kaepora Gaebora (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "I see you brought a map so you don’t get lost. (Press the X Button to see your map)." — Soldier (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "'Atlas Of Koholint Island' You can move the cursor and look up the name of a place... Do you want to look at this map?" — N/A (Link's Awakening DX)
- ↑ "'You can see an island map by pressing the SELECT Button. The dark parts of the map are places you have not yet visited. Move the cursor and press the A Button to get more information about an area, or to replay the message you got there...' Ahhh! How convenient!" — Atlas Of Koholint Island (Link's Awakening DX)
- ↑ "Press SELECT to view the map. Move the cursor and press A to see place names. Dark regions are ones you have not yet visited." — Know-It-All Bird (Oracle of Seasons)
- ↑ "If you are lost and don't know which way to go, look at the Map. The areas you have explored will be shown on the Map." — Kaepora Gaebora (Ocarina of Time)
- ↑ "Look there! That island isn't marked on our charts, Link! And it looks like we can dock there! There! I've just added the isle to your chart! Why not set a course for it?" — Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
- ↑ "Initially, the entire map will be covered in clouds, but as you purchase maps of areas, the clouds covering these areas will lift, revealing that area on the world map." (Majora's Mask manual, pg. 36)
- ↑ "Will you buy one of Tingle's maps?" — Tingle (Majora's Mask)
- ↑ "I don't know where you got your mitts on that Sea Chart you got there... But it looks to me like it's pretty much got nothing but seas drawn on it!" — Fishman (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "If you see a fish leaping out of the water when you sail near an island, sail up to it and spread bait out on the water's surface. Trust me, this is good advice, fry. See, the baiting process allows you to get a chart of the island, along with any info that might be of use to you." — Fishman (The Wind Waker)
- ↑ "You got a map of Hyrule! Now, you'll never get lost!" — N/A (The Minish Cap)
- ↑ "You got the Northwestern Sea chart! Now you can explore a new area of the sea!" — N/A (Phantom Hourglass)
- ↑ "You got the Forest rail map! Some of the lost Spirit Tracks on it are reappearing!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ "Tap the Feather Pen icon to access your navigation chart. Just draw a line and the ship will follow that exact path." — Linebeck (Phantom Hourglass)
- ↑ "There's something strangely powerful about the rail map you recovered. If you trace your stylus over the tracks, it will set a path to your destination! Go on and try it, Link!" — Anjean (Spirit Tracks)
- ↑ A Link to the Past manual, pg. 37
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