Daily Debate: What Is the Best Way to Name Dungeons in the Zelda Series?
Posted on December 27 2024 by Nicole Scott
The dungeons in the Legend of Zelda series have a wide range of naming structures. In the first game’s humble beginnings, each dungeon was simply named Level 1, Level 2, and so on. In The Adventure of Link, Nintendo started getting more creative. It introduced a consistent naming style, and each dungeon was a Palace. Nintendo later broadened its scope, while ironically rarely using the word “dungeon,” (though the Oracle games leveraged this the most). These include but are not limited to Tower, Shrine, Castle, Cave, Cavern, and, the most popular, Temple.
The descriptors for dungeons are what intrigue me. Some are named in the most straightforward manner, after its elemental focus or geography. Ocarina of Time has some of the series’ most well-known dungeons, including the infamous yet plainly named, Water Temple. Phantom Hourglass has the Goron Temple, which is another example that could feel boring. Alternatively, there are Temples with compelling titles. Skyward Sword’s Ancient Cistern and A Link to the Past’s Misery Mire are names harboring enchantment and intrigue. Many games use a mixture of these two naming styles.
I personally prefer unique names more. For me, it indicates two things. First, it shows me Nintendo is stepping slightly out of its comfort zone. Not every dungeon needs to be thematically restricted. For example, you could argue the Ancient Cistern is Skyward Sword‘s water-based Temple equivalent, but it steps out of that box to be something more.
Second, a dungeon’s naming style distinctly deepens the world-building. It hints the Temple’s legacy or how a region’s denizens feel about the place. A less-obvious name feels more woven into the lore and environment, instead of feeling like a gameplay mechanic first. Although Nintendo operates on gameplay then story in this franchise, something as simple as a name could make it feel less so for players who enjoy that.
Which convention do you prefer? Do you think one style is objectively better, or are you fine with simplicity? Let us know in the comments below, along with your favorite dungeon names!
Nicole Scott is writer for Zelda Dungeon from suburban Appalachia. She loves drinking espresso, seeing live music, building LEGO sets, being a completionist, and snuggling her two probably-alien cats, Tizo and Alarielle.
