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Not to be confused with the Temple of Darkness in Four Swords Adventures or the Dark Palace in A Link Between Worlds.

The Palace of Darkness,[1] also known as Dark Palace and Level 1,[2] is the first Dungeon of the Dark World in A Link to the Past. It is found where the Eastern Palace is located in Hyrule.

Entrance to the Palace[]

Both incarnations are located in the east, in the area were first stood the Eastern Palace. Access to the dungeon is granted by walking through the maze in A Link to the Past. Eventually, in the former, a monkey named Kiki follows Link and asks for ten Rupees. Link must give him the requested amount and continues towards the dungeon. There, the monkey will offer to reveal the dungeon's entrance for one hundred more Rupees. Link must give him these as well before the monkey opens the dungeon for the young hero by hopping onto an otherwise inaccessible switch.

Themes and Navigation[]

This dungeon introduces a greater level of danger than those found in the Light World, introducing Blade Traps and Medusa among a new host of enemies such as Helmasaurs, making their first appearance in the series. Link will encounter special ledges that allow him to perform an autojump when he runs off of them. In addition, some statues can be pushed Link if he touches them, which he must do to pass through dangerous areas and solve puzzles. Strange, eerie creatures known as Goriya mimic Link's moves (similar to Mask-Mimics and Arm-Mimics in later games), and should some of these enemies face Link directly they will fire a bolt of fire at him. The treasure is the Magic Hammer, which is used to remove Moles and defeat Terrorpins so that Link can reach the Dungeon Master. The boss is the Helmasaur King, a gigantic Helmasaur. After defeating him Link receives a Heart Container and the first Crystal in A Link to the Past.

Enemies and Traps[]

Non-canon Appearances[]

A Link to the Past (Ishinomori)[]

Palace of Darkness (comic)

The Palace of Darkness in the comic

The Palace of Darkness is also featured in the A Link to the Past comic by Shotaro Ishinomori. After being told by Zora that a Maiden is imprisoned in the nearby palace, Link decides to go and rescue the maiden. Before leaving, Zora allows Link to take Epheremelda as a guide and grants him the Zora's Mask to disguise himself and not look so conspicuous as he is sneaking around the palace.[3]

The duo arrive to the Palace of Darkness and eventually reach the storeroom with the Firecorn explosives,[4] and although Link had been able to sneak around with the Zora's Mask without being noticed,[5] he is discovered by a Rocklops.[6] This summons a Hinox, who prepares to arm a grenade, only to be chastised by the Rocklops,[7]. The young hero disregards his warning and takes a Hinox's bomb belt that was wrapped around it.[8] Link then sees the crystal in the ruins and hopes he has rescued Zelda, but is attacked by a Gleeok that was called upon by the Rocklops. All Link had time to do before readying himself for a fight was to look at Zelda, only to see it was one of the other Six Maidens, commenting to himself "No, it is not her!" Although he defeats it easily with the Master Sword, soon more Hinoxs riding Gleeoks begin to head towards him.[9] Link gives Epheremelda ones of the bombs from the Hinox's belt, which eventually denotes the firecorn stockpile and destroys the entire palace. This allows the maiden to be freed from the crystal, who thanks Link and grants him a relic called the Comm-Fork.[10]

Trivia[]

Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese 闇の神殿 (Yami no Shinden) Temple of Darkness
French Republic FrenchEU Palais des Ténèbres Palace of Darkness
Federal Republic of Germany German Palast der Dunkelheit Palace of Darkness
Italian Republic Italian Palazzo Cupo Gloomy Palace
Kingdom of Spain SpanishEU Templo de Sombras Shadow Temple

References

  1. Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 147
  2. "Level 1
    Dark Palace
    " — N/A (A Link to the Past, Game Boy Advance version)
  3. "If you mussst go, take my Epheremelda for your ggguide... Also, your gggrotesssque face isss too conssspicuousss... You musst wear Zzzora's Masssk!!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 6)
  4. "The storeroom of the palace! If this went off, they wouldn't call it the Palace of Darkness!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 8)
  5. "Now I know why Zora put this thing on my face!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 9)
  6. "I can see another face behind the mask! The face of an intruder! Death to the interloper!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 9)
  7. "You fool! you know what will happen if you use the firecorn here?!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 10)
  8. "We'll all go up in smoke! But if you guys are going to get me...we'll all go together!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 10)
  9. "Link!! There's more on the way!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 12)
  10. "Thank you, Link! Because of you I can escape this Crystal prison! Now, here is something that will help you--the Comm-Fork!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 16)
The Legend of ZeldaThe Adventure of LinkA Link to the PastLink's AwakeningOcarina of TimeMajora's MaskOracle of AgesOracle of SeasonsFour SwordsThe Wind WakerFour Swords AdventuresThe Minish CapTwilight PrincessPhantom HourglassSpirit TracksSkyward SwordA Link Between WorldsTri Force HeroesBreath of the WildTears of the KingdomEchoes of WisdomLink's Crossbow TrainingHyrule Warriors

Breath of the Wild


Main Dungeons

Divine Beast Vah Ruta  · Divine Beast Vah Rudania  · Divine Beast Vah Medoh  · Divine Beast Vah Naboris  · Hyrule Castle  · Final TrialTriforce piece (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


Echoes of Wisdom


Main Dungeons

Suthorn Ruins · Jabul Ruins · Gerudo Sanctum · Hyrule Castle · Eldin Temple · Lanayru Temple · Faron Temple · Null's Body

Mini-Dungeons

Eastern Temple · Cryptic Cavern · Wrecked Ship · Hidden Ruins · Ancient Ruins

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