Classic Overworld Map

[Mases]

I'm sure most new fans of the series or those that have just barely played the original two Zelda titles on the NES don't know the overworlds actually connect.

The southern portion of Hyrule is where the original Legend of Zelda took place while the northern half is where Adventure of Link took place. Here are two links to two of the maps that show this.

http://www.freewebs.com/hehehecool/z01-11-12%5b1%5d2.JPG
http://www.freewebs.com/hehehecool/wmarkRealwithtitlesplural.jpg

I find this to be rather cool and actually, it was rather recent when I figured this out. When I played the games some 10 years ago and even about 6-7 years ago when I first started Zelda Dungeon. Always wondered, what exactly happened to Hyrule? These worlds look completely different.

I think it would be cool if this map was re-used somehow. Perhaps in a new 2d adventure. Of course it would have to be modernized a bit graphically, but the same basic layout would be sweet.

[Avenged]

I agree it was very cool. esp when you go through Death Mountain in AoL and enter old spectacle rock, awesomeness. And yes it this was remade into a 3d world, it would be godly. Just think a true LoZ sequal or even an AoL sequal.

[linkman8]

I've seen the first map somewhere on the internet before, but not the second. Imagine if they turned the first map into a huge fully explorable overworld map in one new game, instead of a couple of games.

[zeypherlink]

Yeah that'd be pretty cool.

Maybe a Zelda games could have both lands in the same game? That would make Hyrule even bigger than it was in TP.

[linkman8]

In a future Zelda game if they could have a map that was as vast as the maps on Elder Scrolls, then that would be absolutely amazing. In Elder Scrolls the maps are so huge it would take months or perhaps a years to see every corner of the world. Maybe that would be too much for a Zelda game, but hey, it would give us all more to do.

[MoonCheese]

I always thought the Zelda 1 overworld was supposed to be that small area south of Death Mountain in Zelda 2. Doesn't it look like it? Notice the distinctive shape of that inlet, like the river and two lakes in Zelda 1. Then note the positions of the lake to the east surrounded by forest, the graveyard to the west, ocean to the southeast, the other forest in the southwest, and mountains in the northwest. I think it was Nintendo's intent to have that area represent the Zelda 1 overworld. You can't see all the details like the islands because of the difference in scale.

[Mases]

O wow, now that you mention it, I clearly get the connection there.

Here is a pixal version of the AoL overworld map. A huge image...
http://faqsmedia.ign.com/faqs/image/reyvgm_zelda2.gif

I think it is clear they tried making a mini LoZ map area here, especially the way the water is shaped. Just like the center of the overworld in LoZ. The graveyard, Lost Woods, and Spectacle Rock are all in their correct place. Even the little lake and woods on the right side are accurate.

THe scale is a bit unclear. I guess it was more of a toss in than an actual replication of the Overworld map from LoZ. Since well, either the land shrunk or Link is a giant, hehe. It would be great if it really was too scale though. After going through Death Mountain, you could explore the entire Southern Hyrule. :)

[MoonCheese]

I think that was the intent...the Zelda 2 overworld is supposed to be MUCH bigger than in Zelda 1. Think about it...a whole town takes up only one square on the Zelda 2 map!

[Alder Dragon]

I love this thread actually - I never noticed those things before, and now I'm looking into it more than ever. I love the mini LoZ map at the bottom of Death Mountain, I never knew it was meant to look like the map from LoZ. Although like Mases said, the size is off obviously, but I think it was just meant to be a sort of easter egg.

That first map you linked to, isn't that from the children's books? In fact I think that's where Calatia comes from, right?

Mooncheese: does that mean link is also the size of a town? :p

[MoonCheese]

Well, if Link was shown to scale in Zelda 2, you might not be able to see him. Or you'd just see one green pixel, kinda like Adventure for Atari 2600.

[Avenged]

Ofcourse its part of it, but not the part you think it is.

http://www.freewebs.com/hehehecool/z01-11-12%5b1%5d2.JPG Look again..closely...See where it says Spectacle Rock? Thats pretty much the only area connected to the LoZ map.

[MoonCheese]

Well, according to that map, but I still don't think that map shows Nintendo's ORIGINAL (key word) intention.

[Mases]

Hmm, it seems in the most recent map that Avenged posted, they did in fact alter the original Legend of Zelda Map a bit. That small area next to Spectacle Rock was not a part of the original Legend of Zelda. That is fine though, since I mean, translation from in game overworld map of a 2d Zelda to a large overworld artwork based map is completely different and you'd expect change.

That being said, the mini area does resemble a small version of the entire Legend of Zelda map. I think drawing a scale or proportions isn't a fair comparison. One think is clear, is that they connect, which is cool enough. I really like looking at these cool artwork based maps. In fact, I found an awesome fan made map of the Western part of Hyrule from Adventure of Link.

http://www.realmsofhyrule.com/site/images/RoH%20Map.jpg

I think that is a sweet looking map. Would be cool if they were to complete the eastern portion of hyrule as well as southern hyrule.

[TheManInTheMoon]

You mean this?

http://www.northcastle.co.uk/guild/art/melora/map1.jpg

[Mases]

I love Melora's Maps, they are splendid.

From what I've read elsewhere in other topics, this map...
http://www.questforcalatia.net/Zelda3C/images/hyrule-map.jpg

Is not official, but just a map that was available in a Comic. Brings up something that really that hasn't been consistent over the years. What is 'canon' or what is to be considered 'official'. Nintendo itself has released material that contradicts material before. Even in basic translations things get difference meanings from the Japanese to English version. So which is the official version?

I think as Zelda fans, we like to use our imagination to create pictures in our head of the ideas that we think of. Melora's two maps are a perfect example of them...
http://www.zeldadungeon.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/MeloraMap.jpg
http://www.zeldadungeon.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/MeloraMap%7E0.jpg

Are these official? No. Are the absolute amazing fan created maps, yes. Usually things tend to become official based on who does them or when they release. For example, a good amount of Zelda fans think the 'Game Trailers' Timeline is official since the put that fancy video out.

While it seems more logical for the bottom-left portion of the Adventure of Link map to be the entire area of the Legend of Zelda map, I think the comics imagination has made a awesome looking map, at which Melora has also done her job at making her own great incarnation and I applaud them for it.

[PrinceofDarkness]

I love Melora's Maps, they are splendid.

From what I've read elsewhere in other topics, this map...
http://www.questforcalatia.net/Zelda3C/images/hyrule-map.jpg

Is not official, but just a map that was available in a Comic. Brings up something that really that hasn't been consistent over the years. What is 'canon' or what is to be considered 'official'. Nintendo itself has released material that contradicts material before. Even in basic translations things get difference meanings from the Japanese to English version. So which is the official version?


Yeah I love that map I totally wanna track down a copy and frame it on my wall.

[dark_link01]

Wow..Nice find. I really never realized that each took place in different sections. I just thought Hyrule changed over time.

[Mike Pothier]

Wow, those drawings rock. I can imagine a remake of both of those games based on those drawings.