Exploring The Legend Of Zelda’s Non-Hyrule Worlds

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.

Labrynna – Oracle of Ages

Link travels to Labrynna to aid Impa, Zelda’s nursemaid. Labrynna is very similar to Holodrum in both appearance and premise. The Oracle of Ages, Nayru, is possessed by the sorceress Veran and vanished. Her disappearance causes the flow of time to stop within the world of Labrynna. 

Just as the loss of the seasons did for Holodrum, the loss of the flow of time causes Labrynna to fall into peril and chaos. With Veran in control of the flow of time, she travels to the past to construct a huge tower. Labrynna and Holodrum are closely related as both the Flame of Despair in Labrynna and the Flame of Destruction in Holodrum are needed to resurrect Ganon.

Koholint Island – Link’s Awakening

A raging storm leaves Link stranded on Koholint Island, a mysterious land where he is rescued by Marin and Tarin. Link tries to leave the island, but everyone on the island is adamant that nothing exists beyond the horizon. Though Koholint is a beautiful, beach-filled island, the land’s most notable characteristic is the giant egg that sits at the peak of its largest mountain.

The only way to escape Koholint Island is to awaken the Wind Fish, so Link set out to do just that. After obtaining the tools necessary to wake it up, Link discovers that the island only exists in the dreams of the Wind Fish, and that waking the Wish Fish up would cause Koholint Island to vanish. In spite of this, Link wakes up the Wind Fish, destroying Koholint Island and freeing him.

Termina – Majora’s Mask

The timeline that has Link defeating Ganon at the end of Ocarina of Time and the Sacred Realm remaining protected continues with Majora’s Mask. In the beginning of Majora’s Mask, Link encounters Skull Kid, who steals Link’s horse, Epona, and the Ocarina of Time. Skull Kid also transforms Link into a Deku Scrub and flees to Termina.

Termina is split into four regions – a swamp, a mountain, an ocean, and a canyon – with Clock Town acting as a hub world in the center. Termina also features Ikana, a kingdom in ruins. The town is panicking as, three days before the local carnival, the moon begins falling toward Termina. To prevent this from happening, Link must journey to the four regions of Termina to revive the four legendary giants who will outstretch their arms to hold the moon up.

Great Sea – Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass

In the timeline where Link is successful in defeating Ganon at the end of Ocarina of Time, but returns to his original time, the world is left without a hero. Ganondorf breaks the seal placed on him at the end of Ocarina of Time, and with no hero to save them from his darkness, he easily ascends to power. Given Ganondorf’s dominance, the gods have no choice but to flood Hyrule, sealing the Demon King in the process. 

The Great Sea covers the entirety of Hyrule, extinguishing most of the life, though several islands remain with villages. The King of Red Lions learns of a young boy named Link who displayed heroism in rescuing his sister from Forsaken Fortress and bets on him for the future of Hyrule. Together, the two must sail around the Great Sea to collect the Master Sword, gather pieces of the Triforce, and combat Ganondorf’s most recent resurgence.

The World of the Ocean King – Phantom Hourglass

After Link’s victory at the end of Wind Waker, he and Tetra embark on a new journey to find a new world. They find themselves in the Ocean King’s jurisdiction, which has seen several ships disappearing recently. Tetra boards the Ghost Ship in hopes of getting to the bottom of things. Unfortunately, upon boarding, she finds herself kidnapped.

Bellum, an evil being that drains Life Force from other creatures, is drawn to the World of the Ocean King thanks to its abundance of Life Force. Tetra herself has her Life Force drained and is turned to stone. The World of the Ocean King is similar to that of the Great Sea, with several small islands and landmasses inhabiting the waters.