- This article is about the Dungeon. For other uses, see Turtle Rock (Disambiguation).
Turtle Rock is a recurring dungeon in The Legend of Zelda series.[1][2][note 1]
Overview[]
A Link to the Past[]
Entrance to Turtle Rock[]
Turtle Rock is the seventh Dungeon in the Dark World and the eleventh in the whole game. It can only be accessed by using a Warp Point on the eastern peak of Death Mountain. This will warp Link to the roof of the Dungeon, where he must use the Quake Medallion to open the entrance. The exterior of Turtle Rock was carved into the shape of a Turtle by inhabitants of the Sacred Realm prior to Ganon's rule.[4]
[]
This Dungeon is unique in that its interior looks more like an incredibly extended cavern, instead of having a man-made architecture; likewise, the Cane of Somaria (previously won in Misery Mire) shows a new function here: it creates platforms that can travel across floating rails, which help Link to fully explore this Dungeon, as well as to find torches that must be lit; this also means that a lot of magic power is required (in fact, Sahasrahla advises Link to have magic at the start of the Dungeon).
Some interesting references to the Mario series occur here as well: Chain Chomps make their debut, and warp pipes carry Link from spot to spot. Similar to the Skull Woods, there are multiple exits, one of them even leads Link to an apparently empty dead end, but guards a Piece of Heart in the Light World. But there's more: this is the only location in the game with lava, and it's harmless since Link cannot fall into it. This Dungeon houses the Mirror Shield, useful to repel more powerful projectiles, and the final crystal (containing Princess Zelda) is guarded by Trinexx.
After Link clears this tough Dungeon, he can access the final Dungeon, which is to the west, across a bridge guarded by Lynels (where the Tower of Hera would be in the Light World).
Minor Enemies[]
Link's Awakening[]
Entrance to Turtle Rock[]
To reach the Dungeon, Link has to travel through several caves from the center of Tal Tal Mountain Range. He eventually encounters a Flame Fountain, preventing him from going any further. However, by using the Mirror Shield, obtained in Eagle's Tower, Link manages to get past the fireballs unharmed. Upon reaching Turtle Rock's entrance, he finds that its entrance is a cave guarded by two Dactos and Turtle Rock itself, dormant. By playing the Frog's Song of Soul, the stone head springs to life and starts attacking Link.[5] Defeating Turtle Rock opens the entrance to the Dungeon.
[]
The Dungeon appears to be a volcano, as there are many lava pits scattered throughout it. The walls are red and the floors are yellow. There are two rooms which connect to the peak of the western Tal Tal Mountain Range, and exiting and reentering the Dungeon is necessary to proceed. A recurring puzzle in this Dungeon involves the use of flashing blocks which create land when pushed over holes or lava. In some rooms, it is only necessary to create a path, while in others, covering all of the holes makes a Treasure Chest appear.
This Dungeon is notable for the fact that it features many previously encountered mini-bosses as enemies, many which have to be defeated for a Small Key or to move on. These include Rolling Bones, Hinox, Dodongo Snakes, and Smasher. These mini-bosses effectively act like normal enemies, as they will reappear at a later time. Cue Ball, another previous mini-boss also appears but does not reappear upon its defeat unlike the others. However, the true mini-boss of this Dungeon is Blaino, a creature which uses its boxing gloves to hurt Link and send him to the entrance of the Dungeon.
Some passageways defy the predominant fire theme of the Dungeon, as they are frozen and have ice blocks. The main tool of this Dungeon is the Magical Rod, which is necessary to burn away the ice blocks and to defeat the Dungeon's Boss, Hot Head, a giant fireball that lives in a pool of lava.
When viewed on the Map, the Dungeon is in the shape of a turtle, which fits the appearance of the exterior of this Dungeon.
Minor Enemies[]
A Link Between Worlds[]
Entrance to Turtle Rock[]
Turtle Rock is located in the southeastern corner of Lorule. The nearby Mama Turtle needs her three babies, which are located throughout the lake. Link must use the Zora's Flippers to get them back to their mother. After completing this task, the turtles will create a platform for Link to ride to the dungeon's entrance.
[]
The dungeon is based on warp points, which teleport Link to different places in Turtle Rock. Although Turtle Rock is small in size (two floors shaped to resemble turtles), it requires many small keys for it to be completed. The dungeon features lava, which can be controlled easier with the Ice Rod. Freezing eruptions of lava allows Link to Wall Merge and get to the opposite side. The Ice Rod also allows Link to freeze teeter-totter type platforms in place. The dungeon utilizes switches to make platforms rise above the lava and open doors. Another main theme of the dungeon is climbing higher along the side walls, allowing Link to turn into a painting and reach previously inaccessible platforms. Turtle Rock is populated by Kodongos, Wizzrobes, Gibo and fiery Swamola. The miniboss of this dungeon is a group of five Fire Gimos, one large and four small.
The Compass is in the very center of the first floor. Link must activate all four switches on the corners of the platform to reveal the chest. The Big Key is in the central northern room of B1, on a high level grate. Link must wall merge to the door that accesses the grate level, and have a key to open it.
This dungeon also contains the Hylian Shield, which operates in much the same manner as the Mirror Shield does in previous titles, namely, reflecting beams and fire from enemies such as Beamos and Lynel. The Shield can be acquired directly after getting the Big Key by un-merging from a wall to push over a grate bridge in the central room of B1. The grate is right outside the entrance to the Big Key room, on the northern end of the central room. Crossing the grate bridge leads to the Hylian Shield's chest.
Additionally, two warp tiles on the first floor can take Link to alternate exits that are otherwise off-limits. Both exits lead outside onto small balconies, where Link can summon Irene by using the Bell. The east balcony is surrounded by Fairies, while the west one leads to a Piece of Heart.
Minor Enemies[]
Other Appearances[]
A Link to the Past (Ishinomori)[]
Turtle Rock, as seen in the comic
Turtle Rock is also featured in the A Link to the Past comic by Shotaro Ishinomori. Like in the game, Turtle Rock is the Dungeon where Princess Zelda has been imprisoned in a crystal by Agahnim.
After learning the location of Turtle Rock, Link heads there and strikes the top of it with the Master Sword to allow a lightning bolt to hit it, revealing the entrance. Inside the lava-infested Dungeon,[6] Link finds Zelda imprisoned in a crystal,[7] but he is then attacked by a three-headed dragon.[8] However, Roam, who had been following Link,[9] arrives just in time to save the young hero from one of the dragon head's attacks. Roam and Link then cut off the dragon's ice head, causing its ice and fire to mix and explode.[10] The explosion shatters Zelda's crystal, and with the princess now rescued, the group quickly escapes Turtle Rock as it begins to collapse.
Trivia[]
- Turtle-shaped rocks, likely based on the term "Turtle Rock", can be found in Tri Force Heroes. As hinted at in Vol. 2 of the Drablands Diary, there is one such rock hidden in the background in each Level of Riverside.
Nomenclature[]
 Names in other regions  | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 | Japanese | カメ岩 (Kame Iwa) (ALttP)[11] タートルロック (Tātoru Rokku) (LA)[12] カメイワ (Kame Iwa) (ALBW)[13] | Same as English. Same as English Turtle Rock |
 | FrenchCA | Roc de la Tortue (LANS) Rocher de la Tortue (ALBW)[14] | Turtle Rock |
 | FrenchEU | Roc de la Tortue (LANS) Rocher de la tortue (ALBW)[15] | Turtle Rock |
 | German | Schildkrötenfelsen (ALBW)[16] | |
 | Italian | Rocca Tartaruga (LANS | ALBW)[17] | |
 | Korean | 거북바위 (Geobug-bawi) (ALBW)[18] | Turtle Rock |
 | SpanishEU | Isla de la Tortuga (ALBW)[19] | |
 | SpanishLA | Isla de la Tortuga (ALBW)[20] | |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | |||
Gallery[]
Layout of Turtle Rock from Link's Awakening DX
The Thunder Drum from Link's Awakening DX
Warp points inside Turtle Rock from A Link Between Worlds
Link creating a path through lava with the Ice Rod from A Link Between Worlds
Link fighting Grinexx from A Link Between Worlds
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See Also[]
Notes
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 147,(ALttP) 159 (ALBW)
- ↑ "Level 8 - Turtle Rock" — N/A (Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
- ↑ "Turtle Rock Dungeon
In Hyrule: Found in the Dark World, the Turtle Rock Dungeon is one of the seven Palaces Link explored during his quest to recover the Crystals necessary to unlock Ganon's Tower. Within its walls, Link found the Mirror Shield and defeated the Palace guardian named Trinexx.
On Koholint Island: Found on Koholint Island, the Turtle Rock Dungeon is one of the eight dungeons Link conquered during his quest to wake the Wind Fish. In the Dungeon, Link found the Magic Rod and defeated Hot Head to get the Thunder Drum." — The Great Hyrule Encyclopedia, Zelda.com (archive), retrieved January 24, 2022. - ↑ The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 102
- ↑ "Hoot! That girl sang her song in front of the Egg! Her 'Ballad of the Wind Fish' is a song of awakening! Did she actually intend to wake the Wind Fish?! The next Sirens' Instrument is in the west. Play your melodies so the unliving stones might hear! Show your courage! The Wind Fish waits for you! Hoot! " — Owl (Link's Awakening DX)
- ↑ "A lava lake! This place is hot as an inferno!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 11)
- ↑ "Zelda!! Is it really you this time[...]?!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 12)
- ↑ "Link! Watch your back!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 12)
- ↑ "Ha ha ha! I followed you all this way..." (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 16)
- ↑ "Move it, hero! Without that head, the monster's fire and ice will mix violently! You can guess what happens next!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 1)
- ↑ Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 2, Shogakukan, pg. 3
- ↑ The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Certain Victory Strategy Guide (1993), Futabasha, pg. 29
- ↑ "カメイワで迷う
オヌシの姿が見えるぞ" — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Je te vois, perdu dans les tréfonds du rocher de la Tortue." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Je te vois, perdu dans les tréfonds du rocher de la tortue." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Ich seeehe... Ich seeehe... Du stehst ratlos im Schildkrötenfelsen. Du blickst durch die Hinweisbrille!" — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Veeedo... veeedo... te smarrito nella Rocca Tartaruga." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "거북바위에서 헤매는
자네의 모습이 보이네" — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds) - ↑ "Me está llegaaando... Te veo vagando en la Isla de la Tortuga..." — Fortune-Teller (A Link Between Worlds)
- ↑ "Me está llegaaando... Te veo vagando en la Isla de la Tortuga..." — 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