For all of the disappointment fans had over Breath of the Wild‘s lack of dungeons, it’s a shame that many of those same players never gave The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword the time of day. As the last of the Zelda games following the template that Ocarina of Time establishes, Skyward Sword has one of the best collections of dungeons of any 3D Zelda title. Each of these spaces is just the right amount of complex, featuring some excellent puzzle design and engaging combat encounters leading up to a climactic boss battle. Skyward Sword‘s combat is arguably the star of the show, and with the new HD version on Switch, players can ignore the sometimes wonky motion controls in favor of the straightforward analog stick sword control scheme.
As a result, the dungeons themselves now have the time to shine as some of the best in the series and receive the credit they are due. From the Skyview Temple to the Sky Keep, each of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword‘s 7 dungeons are both a marvel to take in and to play. These spaces aren’t just fun, their art design and layouts are downright ingenious. If the next Zelda game will continiue to mix the old and the new in its design, then we should all hope that its dungeons borrow some of the brilliance of Skyward Sword‘s. These 7 locations aren’t just the dungeons for Link’s first chronological adventure – they’re the bulk of that adventure in and of themselves.
Skyview Temple
Overview
The first dungeon that Link traverses in his mission to the surface is the Skyview Temple. After making his way through Faron Woods (and then through the Deep Woods), Link enters Skyward Sword‘s version of the classic Forest Temple. The inside of this dungeon is both intriguing and eerie, as waterlogged and decaying ruins give way to arenas choked with vines and mushroom colonies. The Skyview Temple is unique in that it actually combines aspects of both the classic Forest Temple and Water Temple from Ocarina of Time, requiring Link to hit crystals that raise or lower the level of water within the dungeon.
Enemies
Link encounters the following enemies in the dungeon:
- Green Bokoblin
- Deku Baba
- Quadro Baba
- Keese
- Skulltula
- Stalldra
- Waltula
- Stalfos (Mini-Boss; Boss on 2nd Visit)
Items
- Beetle – The first key dungeon item that Link acquires is the Beetle. This item (unique to Skyward Sword) is essentially a handheld drone that Link can pilot to reach switches that are otherwise inaccessible.
- Piece of Heart
- Ruby Tablet
- Heart Container
Boss
- Girahim – The boss of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword‘s first dungeon also happens to be the game’s primary antagonist, Girahim. Demon Lord Girahim makes his first appearance at the end of Skyview Temple, positioning himself between Link and Zelda. This is the first fight against Girahim among several, and as such it’s also the easiest. That said, the trick to being successful in this fight is to have deft control over both Link’s sword and shield, and to keep distance from Girahim without getting too far away.
Earth Temple
Overview
Link discovers the Earth Temple in the upper reaches of the Eldin Volcano, and you’d be forgiven for mistaking it as a Fire Temple given the presence of lava everywhere. The second dungeon in the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword features an excellent design resembling a dragon or a large snake, with several of the temple’s puzzles revolving around maneuvering a stone ball through the lava that is the eye of the massive statue that comprises the dungeon’s architecture. Just like Skyview Temple, Link uses his new Beetle item to access hard-to-reach switches, while the later sections of the dungeon feature plenty of high-tension boulder-dodging segments.
Enemies
Link encounters the following enemies in the dungeon:
- Red Bokoblin
- Bokoblin Leader
- Fire Keese
- Lizalfos
- Magma Spume
- Red ChuChu
Items
- Bomb Bag – The classic essential key item Link needs to carry and use bombs, the Bomb Bag in Skyward Sword arrives as the Earth Temple dungeon’s key item. Not only will bombs be useful for the remainder of Link’s journey, they’re essential for beating the Earth Temple’s boss.
- Amber Tablet
- Heart Container
Boss
Pyroclastic Fiend Scaldera – As soon as Link unlocks the boss door, a giant boulder chases him. This boulder reveals itself to be the Earth Temple’s boss, Pyroclastic Fiend Scaldera. Scaldera is essentially a sentient rock with insect-like appendages made from magma, and Link needs to use his recently acquired Bomb Bag to make short work of him. Use Link’s bombs by throwing them into his mouth, and then once he’s stunned, strike his exposed eye with his sword.
Lanayru Mining Facility
Overview
The Lanayru Mining Facility is the third dungeon in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and the first to make use of the Timeshift Stones and their unique time-travel mechanic. Link will need to use both the dungeon’s key item and the timeshift stones to reactivate the dormant conveyer belts and gain access to the boss room, which is only a short distance from the entrance. This is one of the few futuristic-looking dungeons in the whole Zelda series, taking the appearance of a modern day factory that suddently reactivates when the Timeshift Stones are active. Completing this dungeon will grant Link access to the Temple of Time via the mining facility’s underground rail system.
Enemies
Link will encounter the following enemies in the dungeon:
- Aracha
- Armos
- Beamos
- Electro Spume
- Froak
- Sentrobe
- Staldra
- Thunder Keese
- Yellow ChuChu
Items
- Gust Bellows – The key item of the Lanayru Mining Facility is the Gust Bellows, an ancient device capable of blowing an endless gust of wind that can blow enemies, sand, and other objects out of Link’s way.
- Goddess’s Harp
Boss
- Thousand-Year Arachnid Moldarach – Moldarach, who takes the form of a giant malicious scorpion, is an interesting boss in the Skyward Sword bestiary as the only dungeon boss to make two appearances in the game. In addition to being the boss of the third dungeon, he’s also the boss of the Shipyard overworld area. He has obvious weak points between his claws, which Link must slice either vertically or horizontally depending on how Moldarach positions them. After entering his second phase, Link uses the Gust Bellows to blow away the sand around where Moldarach’s claws are protruding from under the dunes.
Ancient Cistern
Overview
There’s a good reason many fans consider the Ancient Cistern to be both the best dungeon in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and one of the best dungeons in any 3D Zelda period. For starters, the design of the location is wholly unique and breathtaking. The Ancient Cistern shares the design and appearance of a Buddhist Temple, with the only puzzle in the dungeon revolving around raising the statue at its center through the floors of the dungeon, each of which represent the different levels of enlightenment. Aside from the unity of its design and thematic elements, the Ancient Cistern stands out as an uncharacteristically non-frustrating water dungeon, something that most longtime Zelda fans welcome with open arms.
Enemies
Link will encounter the following enemies in the dungeon:
- Bokoblin Archer
- Cursed Bokoblin
- Blue ChuChu
- Green ChuChu
- Deku Baba
- Quadro Baba
- Fire Keese
- Froak
- Furnix
- Skulltula
- Walltula
- Stalmaster (Mini-Boss)
Items
- Whip – The Whip is the key item that the Ancient Cistern hides, and after Link discovers it it becomes one of the most useful tools in his arsenal. Link can use the Whip as both a tool for combat and for traversal, as it’s capable of stunning enemies, removing armor plates, or simply grappling onto ledges. Skyward Sword is the only 3D Zelda game where the Whip makes an appearance after it being a staple in several 2D Zelda titles.
- Goddess Longsword
- Heart Container
Boss
- Ancient Automaton Koloktos – This imposing-looking gold sentry lies dormant within the Ancient Cistern until Girahim reactivates it in order to punish Link for interfering with his attempts to revive Demise. Up to this point in the game, Koloktos will present players with what is perhaps the most substantial challenge and is one of the best boss fights in Skyward Sword. Using the newly-acquired Whip, Link will need to attempt to unscrew Koloktos’ arms as it tries to retrieve its weapons, exposing the weak spot at its core for Link to attack with his sword. As if the fight wasn’t already stressful enough, once Link does enough damage to Koloktos’ core, it sprouts legs and start moving around the arena.
Sandship
Overview
- Another dungeon that brilliantly uses the new Timeshift Stones to great effect, the Sandship is a massive invisible vessel that travels around the Lanayru Sand Sea. After Link removes its cloaking device using the Cannon, he can enter the ship and begin to traverse the dungeon it contains. There is a single Timeshift Stone aboard the Sandship that Link can strike, bringing the ship back to the distant past and restoring its former glory. Interestingly, this dungeon is the only one in Skyward Sword to not have Link face off against the boss in a traditional “boss room” arena. Instead, the boss of the Sandship attacks Link as soon as he enters the Engine Room.
Enemies
Link encounters the following enemies in the dungeon:
- Aracha
- Beamos
- Bokoblin Archer
- Bokoblin Leader
- Electro Spume
- Technoblin
- Thunder Keese
Items
- Bow – The all-important Bow is the fifth dungeon’s key item, and once Link acquires it he is well on his way to being ready to finally take down Girahim and face off against Demise. As in previous Zelda games, Link uses the Bow to shoot arrows at enemies, activate far away switches, and even shoot Light or Silver Arrows at the game’s final boss in order to defeat them using the Goddess’s power.
- Piece of Heart
- Goddess White Sword
- Heart Container
Boss
- Abyssal Leviathan Tentalus – The massive humanoid beast known as Tentalus is the boss of the Sandship. Medusa-like in appearance, the creature also has a single red eye, calling to mind another creature from Greek mythology — the cyclops. Tentalus is much larger than the other bosses in Skyward Sword, and Link will begin periodically facing off against the beast as soon as he boards the Sandship. Although he can only initially strike at its tentacles, once Link gains the Bow he can use it to launch arrows into the creature’s single eye in order to defeat it.
Fire Sanctuary
Overview
Link returns to Eldin Volcano near the end of Skyward Sword, and at its summit he will discover the game’s sixth dungeon the Fire Sanctuary. Before even gaining entrance to this labyrinthine structure, Link must solve several environmental puzzles involving water, which will prepare players for the first several rooms of the dungeon leading up to its mini-boss Magmanos. In addition to the dungeon’s key item the Mogma Mitts, this penultimate challenge will also reward Link with the Master Sword as well as see him facing off against Demon Lord Girahim once again.
Enemies
Link will encounter the following enemies in the dungeon:
- Bokoblin Archer
- Blue Bokoblin
- Green Bokoblin
- Cursed Spume
- Dark Keese
- Dark Lizalfos
- Magmanos (Mini-Boss)
- Moldorm
- Red ChuChu
Items
- Mogma Mitts – Continuing a trend of unique key items in Skyward Sword‘s dungeons, the Mogma Mitts are an interesting addition to Link’s arsenal as an improvement over the Digging Mitts. Link will use these handy gloves to dig through soft spots in the ground in order to reach the deepest levels of the Fire Sanctuary.
- Empty Bottle
- Piece of Heart
- Heart Container
- Master Sword
Boss
- Demon Lord Girahim – The second fight against Girahim in the Fire Sanctuary is a far cry from Link’s first battle with him in the Skyview Temple. Now closer to full power and more aggressive, the fight against Girahim at the end of the sixth dungeon tests the player’s ability to have mastered Link’s moveset. In the first phase, players will need to have a defensive approach, knocking projectiles back at Girahim and avoiding letting him grab ahold of your sword. In the second phase, he starts teleporting around the arena and occasionally attacking Link. After dodging his attacks, he is open to a counter. Additionally, he will sometimes disappear and then reappear at Link’s location. Successfully dodging this attack causes his swords to get stuck in the ground, also leaving him open to a counter.
Sky Keep
Overview
The Sky Keep is the seventh and final dungeon of Skyward Sword, which Link can access after completing the Song of the Hero quest. With the Sky Keep revealing itself, Link can travel back to Skyloft and enter the mysterious temple. Interestingly, this dungeon is mostly a series of puzzles that Link must solve before obtaining the three pieces of the Triforce. With the three pieces of the Triforce in his possession, Link will make a wish for Demise to be vanquished. This causes the Triforce to insert itself in the Statue of the Goddess and plummet into the Sealed Grounds. The Grounds are where Link will have his final battle against both Girahim and Demise.
Enemies
There are no enemies for Link to face off against in the Sky Keep.
Items
- Triforce of Courage
- Triforce of Power
- Triforce of Wisdom
Boss
- None