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00:08Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we're ranking every first dungeon throughout the Legend of
00:13Zelda series. Our ranking is based on a combination of introductory mechanics,
00:18design, and that undeniable fun factor. However, we won't be including the
00:23original Four Swords, since it consists mostly of stages without dungeons.
00:35But before we dive in, we publish new content all week long,
00:39so be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
00:45Number 20. Forest Temple – The Legend of Zelda Triforce Heroes
00:56Dungeons and Triforce Heroes tend to be pretty short. Each area in the game is made up of a
01:01handful of stages, climaxing with a dungeon that's about as long as each section that precedes it.
01:07So, since it's only part of an overall experience, it's pretty easy to place this game's Forest Temple
01:12at the bottom of our list. It's got decent puzzles, traps, and a boss fight that gets you used to
01:17the
01:17stacking totem mechanic, but it's also very linear and somewhat forgettable in a game that's mostly mediocre.
01:25It isn't terrible, but leaves a lot to be desired.
01:36Number 19. Eastern Palace – The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds
01:46A Link Between Worlds is a fantastic game, but the same can't really be said of its first dungeon.
01:53Part of the issue is its design. Since this is a spiritual successor to A Link to the Past,
01:59the Eastern Palace is extremely similar to the dungeon of the same name found in that game.
02:05Link also doesn't get the game's signature painting ability until after the boss fight,
02:10which leads to a lot of really fun puzzles, traversal, and combat in later dungeons.
02:16It still makes nice use of the 3D effect with platforms that raise and lower,
02:20and switches that must be hit at different heights, but it suffers from a lack of creativity.
02:33Number 18. The Eagle – The Legend of Zelda
02:45More commonly known simply as Level 1, the Eagle from the original game is probably a strong memory
02:51for a lot of older players. It is the first dungeon in the series, after all. But beyond its iconicism,
02:59there's clearly not that much to it. It's mostly a series of rooms in which you fight basic enemies
03:04like Keys, Stalfos, and Gels, which then drop keys that take you further in. Even its boss,
03:11Aquamentis, can be killed in only a few hits.
03:15Number 17. Spirits' Grave – The Legend of Zelda – Oracle of Ages
03:27Oracle of Ages starts things off spooky with its first dungeon, but while the Spirits' Grave does
03:33have some strong vibes with its mausoleum-type setting and enemies, it falls short in how you
03:38actually interact with it. When not fighting enemies, most of the navigation and puzzle solving
03:44revolves around pushing blocks. Or, after getting the power bracelet, picking up heavy pots that guard
03:51your path instead. Needless to say, it's not exactly a thrilling gameplay loop, nor that exciting
03:57of an early item to get. It's perfectly suitable within its game, but pales in comparison to most
04:03other starting dungeons. Number 16. Gnarled Root Dungeon – The Legend of Zelda – Oracle of Seasons
04:28Coming out just ahead of its sister game, Oracle of
04:31Seasons dungeons get off to a slightly better start with the Gnarled Root Dungeon.
04:36Since Seasons is more action-focused while Ages is more puzzle-focused,
04:41this opening dungeon benefits from a little more excitement. There are more enemies and
04:46traps, as well as a fun minecart ride between rooms. There's just a lot more going on than in the
04:53Spirits' Grave, giving you more to do. The Ember Seeds are also a bit more enticing of an item to
04:59earn
05:00than a bracelet that helps you lift heavy pots.
05:15Number 15. Forsaken Fortress – The Legend of Zelda – The Wind Waker
05:29The Wind Waker, along with several other games in the series, are in interesting positions,
05:35in that you return to their opening dungeons later to complete them. You can complete most of the
05:40Forsaken Fortress dungeon on your first visit, so it counts, which is a shame because Dragon Roost
05:46Cavern is way better. Having the first dungeon be a stealth mission where you lose your sword
05:52and can often get thrown in a jail cell was a big ask for the beginning of a game. Its
05:57layout is also
05:58confusing on a first playthrough, leading to you re-stealthing through the same rooms.
06:03Of course, at number 15 it isn't without its merits. Sneaking through a pirate stronghold in an
06:09attempt to lead a prison break is, objectively, a cool idea. And it is satisfying to finally get
06:16past a group of enemies, even if it takes you a few tries.
06:20Number 14. Parappa Palace – The Adventure of Link
06:31Parappa Palace is perhaps the most straightforward and easily manageable dungeon in Zelda 2,
06:37and given the game's reputation as the most hellishly difficult game in the series,
06:43Simple definitely works in its favor. Link navigates three below ground floors,
06:48fighting progressively tougher enemies in search of keys. Similar to the first game,
06:53there isn't much in terms of puzzles or unique design from other dungeons per se,
06:58but the dungeon succeeds at being a nice level of challenge at this point in the game,
07:03especially since this game's difficulty spikes not long after this with Death Mountain.
07:15Number 13. Forest Temple – The Legend of Zelda – Spirit Tracks
07:28Since the Tower of Spirits is broken into multiple parts and serves as the finale,
07:33the Forest Temple acts as this game's first dungeon. Set inside a pyramid, it uses a basic but
07:39effective traditional dungeon aesthetic, but what leaves more of an impression is its item,
07:44the Whirlwind, which produces powerful gusts of wind when you blow into the DS's mic.
07:50You get it early on, so most of the dungeon's puzzles and fights are centered around it.
07:55And, for the most part, Nintendo found simple but clever uses for it throughout. Even if blowing
08:01into the mic is gimmicky in other areas, like those pan flute performances,
08:06the Forest Temple is a decent introduction to the Whirlwind's various uses.
08:17Number 12. Temple of Fire – The Legend of Zelda – Phantom Hourglass
08:32Similar to Spirit Tracks, the Temple of the Ocean King is more the game's final dungeon, even if you
08:38visit it first. Which is good for Phantom Hourglass, as the Temple of Fire is much better.
08:44Even though the Forest Temple is a good showcase of the Whirlwind, the gimmick of blowing into the
08:49mic isn't as simple and effective as drawing on the DS's touch screen. And that's the key reason
08:55this dungeon is a bit stronger. It's a great introduction of this core mechanic, letting you
09:00write clues to puzzles on your map, but primarily with letting you chart the path of your boomerang.
09:06It's a small but satisfying sense of achievement to curve it around obstacles and make it through fiery
09:12traps.
09:12Number 11. Hyrule Castle – The Legend of Zelda – Four Swords Adventures
09:27It's usually a treat going into a Hyrule Castle dungeon, and in Four Swords Adventures it's a nice
09:34conclusion to the first set of levels. The A Link to the Past design inspiration came with a lovely visual
09:40update, and the coolest part about this dungeon is having sections set in and outside of the castle,
09:47with gameplay moving to the Game Boy Advance whenever you're inside. While this is certainly more combat
09:53oriented than most other mainline games, it works well here. A sprawling stronghold packed with enemy
10:00soldiers culminating in a classic boss like Phantom Ganon is a great way to lead into the rest of the
10:06adventure.
10:15Number 10. Tail Cave – The Legend of Zelda – Link's Awakening
10:30When it comes to the Tail Cave, we admit its placement has something to do with its legacy. The first
10:36dungeon in
10:37the first handheld Zelda, its scope, while small today, was impressive to have in your pocket in the 90s.
10:44It acted as a promise in quality for what the game had in store, but even standing on its own,
10:50it's a solid opener. Set inside crumbling ruins with broken floor over bottomless pits, within the
10:57context of the mysterious Koholint Island's history, it sets the tone moving forward. And sure, the item being
11:04rocks feather, giving Link the ability to jump, isn't all that exciting given the button limitations of
11:10the Game Boy, but it's still a fun climax to the game's introduction.
11:21Number 9. Southern Ruins – The Legend of Zelda – Echoes of Wisdom
11:33Where the tutorial introduces the echo mechanic in Echoes of Wisdom, the Southern Ruins acclimates you
11:39with two of the game's other core features. Bind, used to move objects and enemies, and the Link
11:45transformation ability, used for more traditional combat. There are some pretty clever puzzles and
11:51obstacles using each of these, so the dungeon succeeds in getting the player more comfortable
11:56with the game's mechanics. It's very basic compared to every dungeon that comes after it,
12:01and its stereotypical dungeon aesthetic and design don't help it stand out. Still, it does a good job
12:08showcasing Zelda's alternate playstyle over what people are used to.
12:24Number 8. Divine Beast Va Ruta – The Legend of Zelda – Breath of the Wild
12:35Yes, you can technically complete the Divine Beasts in any order, but the most popularly accepted
12:42first choice, given it's the closest when you get the quest, is Va Ruta. And while the Divine Beasts
12:48overall were seen as a bit of a downgrade from dungeons, this is one of the better ones. There are
12:54some decent little brain teasers throughout, some of which find clever uses for Link's Sheikah Slate
12:59abilities. The most noteworthy feature is Va Ruta's trunk, constantly spraying water,
13:05and the position of which you can change to solve other puzzles and navigate further.
13:09Despite their negative reception, the developers crafted a pretty entertaining water level.
13:15the most noteworthy feature is the most important part of the game.
13:28Number 7. Deepwood Shrine – The Legend of Zelda – The Minish Cap
13:40Shrinking down to explore a hidden world is executed with perfect charm in the Minish Cap. And the
13:47opening dungeon, Deepwood Shrine, is a wonderful realization of that concept. There are all kinds
13:53of delightful features. Giant leaves in the foreground, hanging over your head. A miniature
14:00Link using mushrooms to fling himself across gaps, a rotating barrel to reach a new area,
14:05or a lily pad to float down a stream. It's got such a strong sense of style and space for
14:12an opening 2D
14:13dungeon. And the item, the Gust Jar, is an enjoyable early item to get. The boss, a giant choo-choo,
14:21is a bit of a cop-out, but everything before it is great.
14:41Number 6. Skyview Temple – The Legend of Zelda – Skyward Sword
14:56Thanks to some untraditional mechanics, Skyview Temple is one of the harder opening dungeons in
15:02the series. That's not to say it isn't enjoyable or well designed, though. It's got some great design
15:08choices that fit with descending underground within a deep forest. Dense plant life like mushrooms,
15:15creepy crawly enemies like stalfos, dekubabas, and skulltulas, mountains of dust, spiderwebs,
15:22and crumbling structures that show ages of decay. You can almost smell how musty it is. The dungeon's
15:29item, the beetle, was a simple-to-use showcase of motion controls, and then there's the iconic
15:34introduction of villain Girahim, a challenging first boss who deftly tested our skills in virtual sword fighting.
15:51Number 5. Hyrule Castle – The Legend of Zelda – A Link to the Past
16:03From the get-go, A Link to the Past made it clear how monumental a step up from the previous
16:09two games
16:10it was going to be. On a dark and stormy night, Link braves a castle overtaken by evil to rescue
16:17Princess Zelda. While this is another dungeon you return to later, you experience enough of Hyrule
16:22Castle to count it. And what an experience it is. The presentation and build-up is truly stunning for
16:30the time. From navigating its enemy-filled hallways to leading Zelda to safety down a hidden path through
16:37the sewers. It, like many things in A Link to the Past, leaves a strong impression.
16:51Number 4. Inside the Deku Tree – The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time
17:06As the very first dungeon at the dawn of 3D Zelda, Inside the Deku Tree had an important role to
17:12fill.
17:13It needed to showcase combat, puzzles, and overall level design within an entirely new space for the
17:19first time. Even all these years later, it's remarkable how good an introduction it is to the
17:26world and gameplay of Ocarina of Time. Already, the setting of a dying deity's body is unique,
17:33but every room is designed to teach you the core blocks of the game's DNA. From lock-on targeting during
17:39combat, to water physics, to first-person aiming. And yeah, you might get tired of Navi's advice on
17:46replays, but on its own, Ocarina's opener is an impressive foundation for 3D dungeon design.
18:02Number 3. Forest Temple – The Legend of Zelda – Twilight Princess
18:11Zelda clearly has a lot of forest temples. Some opening dungeons, some not. And the one in Twilight
18:19Princess is one of the best. The design highlights the strong art direction. Buried in a deep forest
18:26valley, it gives a strong sense in how ancient this place is through scope. Full rooms are built into
18:33the center of gigantic trees, and reaching other areas requires crossing massive ravines,
18:39subject to strong gusts of wind. Plus, we can't deny, rescuing cute monkeys in order to access more
18:46areas is pretty fun, as is using the dungeon's item, the Gale Boomerang, to control the temple's
18:52weathered structures and overcome its enemies. An aesthetically pleasing design, plus a new spin on a
18:58classic item, make for a strong start to a game known for some of the best dungeons.
19:17Number 2. Wind Temple – The Legend of Zelda – Tears of the Kingdom
19:22Use your power to release all five locks, and the hatch should open.
19:29Similar to Breath of the Wild, there's no set order for the temples in Tears of the Kingdom.
19:34However, the story does heavily point you in the Wind Temple's direction first. And, just like
19:40Varuta, it's one of the best in the game. Firstly, the setting. A ship floating high in the sky,
19:46surrounded by icy winds, you're immediately sucked in by the very real atmosphere. Secondly, Tulen is
19:54the game's most likable companion, thanks to his useful gust ability for traversal and his good
20:00natured personality. Although the Wind Temple does suffer a bit in hindsight, since it features the same
20:06basic gameplay loop as the other dungeons – take the companion to several different spots and have
20:12them activate their ability, this is still the most unique version of it. Plus, it ends things on a
20:18high note with an incredibly fun fight against Colgara.
20:30Number 1. Woodfall Temple – The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask
20:43Everything about Majora's Mask is a little bit darker, and a little bit stranger, than other
20:49Zelda games. As if to visually represent this, Woodfall Temple is another forest-themed dungeon,
20:55yet one set in a dark swamp and literally poisoned from within. Along with the unnerving chanting and
21:02percussion of its music, this gives the dungeon an imposing, yet engaging, personality. It's also a
21:08nice blend of gameplay, being both a good showcase of Deku Link's unique abilities and puzzles revolving
21:15around the bow, which Link earns midway through. With its immaculate vibes courtesy of poisonous waters
21:21and dark rooms, and a satisfying use of core mechanics, Woodfall Temple leaves its mark among
21:27the many other forest-themed levels across the series.
21:39Which Zelda game do you think has the best opening dungeon?
21:43Share your thoughts in the comments, and we'll see you next time.
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