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 Link may need to defeat all the enemies in a room. Other times, busting a hole into a wall with Bombs will do the trick, as many keys throughout the titles are hidden in hard-to-reach areas. Once a key is used, it disappears from Link's Inventory.

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 defeating enemies, such as Rats in A Link to the Past, but could actually be bought from a Merchant 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 game such as Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask, having the compass will alert Link to a hidden key in a room, via the dungeon map. The alert could be a tone, sounded upon entering the room, as in Link's Awakening, or a colored blip on the map as seen in The Wind Waker.

Big Key (Boss Key)


The Big Key is one of the three standard dungeon items, the other two being the Compass and the Dungeon Map. Alternatively, it is also called Boss Key, and is specifically 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 Big Keys also are necessary to open the treasure chests containing a dungeon's special item, and doors unlocked by the Big Key may not necessarily lead directly to the boss. In Twilight Princess, the Big 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 the mansion residence of Yeto and Yeta. In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, Link must carry the Boss 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.

* The design is also used in 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. Alternatively, 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
 * In Spirit Tracks, Link must obtain three keys held by three Snurglars to gain access to the Fire Temple.
 * In Skyward Sword, Link must obtain five pieces of a key buried and held by enemies around Eldin Volcano to gain access to the Earth Temple.

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 special doors spread across the islands of the World of the Ocean King: the Sun Key, the Ghost Key, and the King's Key.

Boss Door Objects in Skyward Sword are special types of keys with unique three-dimensional structures. The objects must be rotated until it glows gold, indicating that it is in the correct orientation. The object is then inserted into the lock and the door opens automatically.