Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

As a seasoned adventurer who’s traversed countless realms and dungeons, I must say that these labyrinthine challenges have left quite the indelible mark on my gaming journey. Each of these mazes has tested my mettle and wit, pushing me to my limits, yet always rewarding me with a sense of accomplishment that few other games can match.


In the world of video games, few franchises can boast as impressive dungeon designs as The Legend of Zelda. Remarkable palaces and temples from this series have left lasting impressions, reappearing across various installments throughout its rich history. These recurring locales often present fresh challenges within familiar settings.

However, a cunning pattern that frequently appears is the intricate labyrinth. Across various periods, Link has encountered some fiendishly complex mazes, brimming with pitfalls and concealed riches. Herein lies a selection of ten outstanding labyrinths and mazes from the Legend of Zelda franchise.

10 Savage Labyrinth (Wind Waker)

Endless Conflict

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

In simple terms, the game titled Wind Waker stands out for its appealing and vibrant style. Its distinctive cel-shaded art gives it a cheerful vibe within the larger Zelda series. However, similar to other games in this franchise, there’s a touch of gloominess. The entire game unfolds over the remnants of a Hyrule that was submerged by Ganondorf, and it hides many somber mysteries.

Among the spookiest places I’ve encountered is the ominous Maze of Peril right behind my humble abode. This subterranean lair, camouflaged as a simple pit, teems with monstrous creatures plucked straight from the deadliest nooks of the Grand Ocean. To get my hands on the hidden fortune nestled at its depths, I, Link, must battle countless waves of adversaries. What makes this ordeal even more daunting is that it lurks just beyond my front door.

9 Dark Palace Grounds

A Sinister Twist On A Classic Sequence

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

A significant portion of the adventure in “Link Between Worlds” unfolds in Lorule, a distorted counterpart to Hyrule. The majority of dungeons found in this alternate dimension are mirrored versions of dungeons that Link has previously explored in his original world. For instance, the ominous Dark Palace resembles the Eastern Palace, which is the initial dungeon in the game.

In order to access the Dark Palace, however, Link must complete a segment that mirrors a different game altogether. The path to the Dark Palace is lined with guards, who will capture and imprison Link on sight if he is seen. Dodging the line of sight of these patrolling foes is a direct callback to an early moment in Ocarina of Time, where a young Link must avoid castle guards in order to speak to Princess Zelda. The grim, lightless environs, twisting labyrinthine halls, and much higher stakes make this a much darker reflection of that classic segment.

8 Beneath the Well (Majora’s Mask)

Dealing With The Dead

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

The enigmatic realm of Termina brims with unusual mysteries, harboring some of the most chilling content that the Legend of Zelda series has ever offered. The concealed, maze-like dungeon buried beneath the game’s abandoned well is no different. This shadowy underworld labyrinth is teeming with undead Gibdo standing watch at each entrance.

To advance through the crypt, Link needs to put on the Gibdo mask and negotiate with some eerie mummies. Each one has a unique demand, and if Link can gather all the essential items without getting disoriented, he’ll be able to make it to the end and obtain the mighty Mirror Shield.

7 Lost Woods (The Legend of Zelda)

The Original Trick

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

The initial “Legend of Zelda” series paved the way for many standards within the franchise. Some of the most memorable settings and themes found in subsequent games were first introduced here, such as the enigmatic forest known as the Lost Woods. This mystifying woodland grove has the potential to keep Link trapped indefinitely if he’s not skilled enough to navigate it safely.

In contrast, later versions of the Mysterious Forest may deliberately lead Link astray to prevent his exit, whereas the initial one traps him within. Any attempt by Link to leave this area results in an automatic return to its start. A cryptic woman, located elsewhere on the map, will provide Link with the instructions necessary for escape; however, she demands a payment for her help.

6 Signpost Maze (Link’s Awakening)

The Writing’s On The Wall

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

In the Legend of Zelda series, Link’s Awakening stands out as one of the most dreamlike games. Among its peculiarities, the Signpost Maze is a noteworthy example. As the name suggests, this open area is essentially a complex maze made up of signs scattered throughout it. Each sign provides directions, and to successfully traverse the maze, Link must strictly adhere to these instructions he encounters.

As I navigate through this labyrinth, it’s crucial for me (Link) to touch each symbol in a specific sequence. The clever positioning of these symbols, seemingly close companions, aims to throw me off my path. Once I manage to sort out the maze, I’ll be rewarded with the Frog’s Song of Soul, an essential melody needed for advancement later in the game. The enigma behind why these symbols are placed in such a peculiar pattern remains unexplored.

5 Lost Woods (Breath of the Wild)

Keeping The Flame Alive

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

In the expansive landscape of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, there’s an abundance of hidden treasures and enigmas waiting to be uncovered. Furthermore, it carries on the tradition set by its predecessors, a connection that becomes apparent in places like the Enchanted Forest, known as the Lost Woods. This mystical woodland is inhabited by creatures such as the Koroks and the mighty Deku Tree. However, the most significant aspect of this forest is that it houses the Master Sword itself.

To reach the Koroks’ forest sanctuary, Link needs to be cautious as he journeys through the puzzling and labyrinthine expanse known as the Lost Woods, filled with trees and mist. A misstep could lead Link into the enveloping fog, sending him back to the maze’s beginning. To navigate this challenge effectively, Link should grip his torch tightly and rely on its light for direction.

4 Sacred Grove (Twilight Princess)

Hot Pursuit

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

The game, “Twilight Princess,” features a more assertive style when it comes to designing mazes compared to other games in the series. Your character, Link, needs to traverse the enchanted Sacred Woods, a place well-known from various installments of “The Legend of Zelda” series. To make it to the Temple of Time, you’ll have to chase after the elusive Skull Kid in these mystical woods.

In this fast-paced pursuit, Link’s transformed wolf state allows for swift movement. Skull Kid summons puppet minions to obstruct Link during this chase, but Link’s canine tenacity indicates that Skull Kid won’t escape capture for long. Once caught and subdued, Skull Kid will clear the way to the Temple of Time.

3 Misery Mire (Link To The Past)

A Sinister Swamp

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

In the Dark World of “Link to the Past,” Mire of Misery serves as the sixth labyrinth. This gloomy place is right in the heart of the Swamp of Evil, fitting its ominous atmosphere. To gain access, Link needs his Ether Medallion. Upon entry, he’ll find himself navigating a complex maze filled with cunning wizzrobes.

One of the rooms in this grim dungeon features a double maze; if Link falls from the upper floor, he’ll be lost in the second floor, another twisted maze full of hostile serpents. If he perseveres, Link will find himself face to face with the boss Vitreous, a hideous monstrosity made of slime and eyeballs.

2 Lost Woods (Ocarina of Time)

A Classic Ballad

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

The classic video game titled “Ocarina of Time” stands out as a highly influential title within the Legend of Zelda series, and it’s undoubtedly one of the most recognized games in gaming history. Many memorable scenes from this game have become iconic over time, particularly the intricate network of winding passages known as the Lost Woods.

To navigate the enigmatic Lost Woods, Link needs to pay close attention at every passageway. If he recognizes Saria’s familiar melody echoing, it will guide him further into the forest. This musical cue serves as a beacon for the Hero of Time, directing him to the Forest Temple, an ominous and ghostly fortress – the first dungeon Link needs to conquer in his adult incarnation.

1 The Lomei Labyrinths (Tears of the Kingdom)

Rising And Falling

Best Labyrinths & Mazes In Zelda Games, Ranked

In Breath of the Wild, Link encountered the challenging Lomei Labyrinths – three massive, complex mazes that he needed to solve to obtain the Barbarian armor set. The scale of these labyrinths has been significantly increased in Tears of the Kingdom. To successfully navigate one of these labyrinths, Link must first traverse the land-based puzzle, and then fly through the air above it by soaring and gliding.

Once the floating maze has been completed, Link will need to take an extraordinary leap of trust, jumping off from the peak of the floating maze, traversing the ground labyrinth, and descending into the Underworld, where a formidable boss battle lies in wait. This trial recalls the Minotaur at the core of the ancient Greek Labyrinth, and facing this adversary amidst the immense gloom of the Underworld creates an incredibly daunting challenge.

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2024-08-16 10:34