Hyrule Castle



Hyrule Castle is the home of the royal family of Hyrule. The castle's first appearance was in the game A Link to the Past, the third in the series. Each game that contains a Hyrule Castle either features a different layout, or denies the player access to parts that are available in other games. There are grounds for speculation that the castle is actually a different castle in each game, or that it is the same castle but was changed in each game for aesthetic or gameplay purposes.

A Link to the Past
In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Hyrule Castle is home to the royal family of Hyrule until shortly before the events of the game. However, Agahnim, after becoming the King's second-in-command after solving Hyrule's problems with his magic, killed the monarch and took control of the castle. After Link saved Zelda from being sent into the Dark World, Agahnim made the castle inaccessible by creating a portal that sent anyone who wanted to enter it into the Dark World.

This game marks the Castle's first named appearance.

Ocarina of Time
The Hyrule Royal Castle was home to Princess Zelda and the Royal Family. During Link's first quest to find the three spiritual stones, he managed to slip past Security Guard patrols and met Zelda. After ruining the timeline by accidentally granting Ganondorf access to the Sacred Realm, Ganon tore down the castle, building one of his own in its place.

The Wind Waker
In The Wind Waker, all of Hyrule being drowned beneath the Great Sea, Hyrule Castle was preserved in a huge bubble. Through the power of the Master Sword what remained of Hyrule was frozen in time. When Link takes the sword the whole Castle comes to life once more but filled with enemies. Hyrule Castle is also the main magic source of the Great Sea. Hyrule Castle is also home to King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule. The castle also has the six sages from Ocarina of Time in stained glass windows. Also hidden within the castle is a portrait of Tetra's ancestor, together with her servants who are remarkably similar in appearance to Tetra's crew of Pirates.

Four Swords Adventures
In Four Swords Adventures, Hyrule Castle is the last part of level one, Whereabouts of the Wind. It houses the boss, Phantom Ganon. There, Link also meets a Great Fairy who assists him on the level, and allows Link to have help from other Great Fairies. Hyrule Castle makes an appearance again as the final part of Near the Fields, this time called Infiltration of Hyrule Castle where Link fights Jalhalla, after which, makes no other appearances.

The Minish Cap


In The Minish Cap Link will not be allowed into the castle for most of the game. He is allowed early on, but after Vaati takes control of the King of Hyrule, Link is not permitted. Later in the game Vaati's power consumes the castle, making it the Dark Castle. Link must navigate the castle to free Princess Zelda from Vaati's curse and seal Vaati away.

Twilight Princess
Hyrule Castle is seen in its largest incarnation to date since it is visible almost anywhere in Hyrule. Link sneaks into Hyrule Castle early on in Twilight Princess, and again after collecting all of the fused shadows, but both times in wolf form. It is here that he first meets Princess Zelda. Link must return later in the game as a human, but unlike his earlier visits as a wolf, it is actually considered the final dungeon. As the player progresses on in the castle, the music slowly changes from Hyrule Castle music to Ganondorf's Theme. After defeating Ganondorf's beast form (Dark Beast Ganon), Midna will attempt to finish him off, warping Link and Zelda to Hyrule Field. The two witness a giant explosion apparently destroy the castle, but it appears intact during the credits sequence.

Super Smash Bros.
Hyrule Castle is also a stage in the Nintendo fighting series Super Smash Bros. It has a similar appearance to its model in Ocarina of Time. Tornadoes frequently hit the stage, sending anyone who comes in contact with one flying up in the air.