During E3, Nintendo revealed a new Zelda game for 3DS. While we don’t know a ton about Triforce Heroes, we do know that it does not take place in Hyrule. Hyrule is The Legend of Zelda’s most iconic setting, but plenty of games in the series have featured worlds outside of Hyrule. With Nintendo being intentionally vague about where the upcoming Zelda game on Wii U takes place, it’s entirely possible that the next two games in this beloved series could be set away from Hyrule.
While we’ll never forget exploring Hyrule in Ocarina of Time or A Link to the Past, the non-Hyrule locations have also left a great impression on us. Check out the other worlds you can explore in the Zelda series and see if any of them stack up to the legendary setting of Hyrule in your mind.
Warning: This article contains spoilers to various games in the Zelda series.
Skyloft/The Surface –Skyward Sword
A utopia in the sky, Skyloft hovers above a world that would eventually become known as Hyrule. It’s here that the chronologically first Link in the Zelda timeline gets his bearings and sets off to become a hero. Following Zelda’s disappearance, however, Link must journey to the Surface below to search for his lost friend.
The Surface is divided into three regions, each one with a distinct geographical setting. It is also much less paradisiacal, featuring dungeons, monsters, and a Demon Lord named Ghirahim who commands them.
The Dark World –A Link to the Past
After spending the first chunk of A Link to the Past in Hyrule, Link warps to The Dark World – a more dangerous version of Hyrule. The Dark World possesses similar landscape to that of the Light World’s Hyrule, but doesn’t feel as alive. The lush fields are largely replaced by dirt and sand, and Hyrule’s inhabitants are replaced with enemies and thieves. Link is able to travel to the Dark World, but he turns into a pink bunny until he acquires the Moon Pearl. During his adventure in the Dark World, Link is able to help several lost souls who aren’t as lucky.
Lorule – A Link Between Worlds
Just as the Dark World is the corrupted version of Hyrule, Lorule is the underworld to A Link Between Worlds’ Hyrule. Since A Link Between Worlds and A Link to the Past share the same Hyrule, the layout of these worlds is very similar. Just as the Dark World was once the peaceful Sacred Realm, Lorule was once as peaceful as Hyrule.
It wasn’t until the Lorulean Royal Family destroyed its version of the Triforce following its civil war that it was plunged into darkness. Lorulean citizens have become unruly and are now fighting for their lives against monsters every day. Massive chasms formed to divide the world into three regions that Link can only access through various warp cracks in the Hyrule equivalent area.
Holodrum – Oracle of Seasons
After the Triforce compels Link to travel to Holodrum, he’s left unconscious on the ground. Din, the titular Oracle of Seasons, walks past him and decides to nurse him back to health. Shortly after Link regains consciousness, Onox, the General of Darkness, captures Din in order to use her fire power to light the Flame of Destruction. Din’s capture ceases the four seasons from happening in Holodrum and sends the world into chaos.
In Holodrum, Link finds new allies in the form of Ricky, a kangaroo with boxing gloves, and Maple the witch. A massive tree known as a Maku Tree protects Holodrum. In this world, the Maku Tree appears in the form of an old man. Labrynna also features a Maku Tree. Together, they grant Link a Huge Maku Seed which can dispel the barrier of darkness.
On the next page, we look at more non-Hyrule Zelda worlds, including where Link went following his victory over Ganondorf at the end of Ocarina of Time.