Key (Disambiguation)

Keys are items found in the dungeons of every Zelda game. They are necessary for advancing through locked doors. Keys can be obtained through a variety of different puzzles. For example, sometimes you may need to defeat all the enemies in a room. Other times you may need to break a hole in the wall with your bombs. In some situations you need to do what you least expect, and that way it will be easier to advance to victory. Once a key is used, it disappears.

There are roughly three different keys: Small Keys (the most common keys), Boss Keys (big keys that grant access to the dungeon's boss), Dungeon Keys (needed to enter their respective dungeons).

Small Keys
The Small Key is featured in many Zelda games. It can be found in small chests and by killing enemies, such as Rats In A Link to the Past, but could actually be bought in The Legend of Zelda. A Small Key can be used to open locked doors that have chains around them and key blocks. In every Zelda game, except The Legend of Zelda, they can only be used in the dungeon where they're found.

In some games, having the compass will alert you to a hidden key in a room. The alert is a tone sounded upon entering the room.

Boss Key


The Boss Key is one of the three standard dungeon items, the other two being the Compass and the Dungeon Map. Alternatively, it is also called Big Key. It is known as the Nightmare Key in Link's Awakening. It is generally used to open the big door leading to the boss' chamber. In A Link to the Past, the Boss Keys also are necessary to open the treasure chests containing a dungeon's special item. In Twilight Princess, the Boss Key from the Goron Mines had to be put together by obtaining the three Key Shards from the Goron Elders; in the Snowpeak Ruins, the Big Key is replaced by the Bedroom Key, as said dungeon is actually a mansion. In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, Link must carry the Big Key in his hands rather than inventory. In certain instances in Spirit Tracks, the key is electrified and Link must have his Phantom partner carry it for him.

* Also the design used in Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks.

Dungeon Key
Dungeon keys allow access to a dungeon. Not all dungeons in games that feature dungeon keys require a dungeon key to open and dungeon keys are specific to which dungeon they open.
 * In Link's Awakening, Link must find: Tail Key, Slime Key, Angler Key, Face Key, and Bird Key
 * In Oracle of Ages, Link must find: Graveyard Key, Crown Key, and Mermaid Key
 * In Oracle of Seasons, Link must find: Gnarled Key, Floodgate Key, and Dragon Key

Other Types
Great Keys are special keys given to the player upon completing a mission in Four Swords. They are required to unlock the final mission in the game, as well as to unlock bonus content.

Phantom Hourglass featured three keys needed to open doors spread across the islands of the Great Sea: the Sun Key, the Ghost Key, and the King's Key.