View source for Hyrule Castle

{{Specify|this=the recurring landmark|third=the dungeon in ''Twilight Princess''|thirdlink=[[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)]]|other=the dungeon in ''A Link to the Past''|link=[[Hyrule Castle (A Link to the Past)]]|second=the dungeon in ''Breath of the Wild''|secondlink=[[Hyrule Castle (Breath of the Wild)]]}}
{{Infobox|location
| image         = [[File:Hyrule Castle Artwork (Twilight Princess).png|400px]]
| caption       = Artwork from ''Twilight Princess''
| game		= ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds|A Link Between Worlds]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]''<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom|Echoes of Wisdom]]''<br/>''[[Cadence of Hyrule]]''<br/>''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''<br/>''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' (DLC)<br/>''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''
| inhab		= [[Hylian]]s
| item		= [[Heart Container]]<br/>[[Piece of Heart]]<br/>[[Master Sword]]<br/>[[Lantern]]
| related	= [[Castle Town]]
}}
{{Languages
| jpn = ハイラル城
| esp = Castillo de Hyrule
| fra = Château d'Hyrule
| deu = Schloss Hyrule
| ita = Castello di Hyrule
}}

'''Hyrule Castle''' is the seat of [[Hyrule]]'s government and home of the [[Royal Family of Hyrule|Royal Family]]. Hyrule Castle was first seen in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'', and has become one of the most recognizable locations of [[The Legend of Zelda (Series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' series]].

==''A Link to the Past''==
{{Main|Hyrule Castle (A Link to the Past)}}
{{Main|Hyrule Castle Tower}}
In ''A Link to the Past'', Hyrule Castle serves as the very first dungeon in the game. It is a rather short dungeon where [[Link (A Link to the Past)|Link]] fights the [[Ball and Chain Soldier]] and rescues [[Zelda (A Link to the Past)|Princess Zelda]]. Hyrule Castle leads to the [[Secret Passage]], which takes Link and Zelda to the [[Sanctuary (A Link to the Past)|Sanctuary]].

Later in the game, Link enters [[Hyrule Castle Tower]], where he confronts [[Agahnim]].

==''Ocarina of Time''==
{{see also|Castle Courtyard}}
Hyrule Castle in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'' only allows [[Link (Ocarina of Time)|Link]] to enter the courtyard to speak to young [[Zelda (Ocarina of Time)|Princess Zelda]]. Link must sneak past the guards to get to her. There are no dungeons or mini-dungeons within this version of Hyrule Castle.

==''The Wind Waker''==
{{Spoiler|section}}
{{ZD|[[zd:the-wind-waker-walkthrough/hyrule-castle|''The Wind Waker'' Walkthrough<br/>Chapter 10: Hyrule Castle]]}}

Hyrule Castle in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' is underwater. It is where our young hero finds the Master Sword. The castle starts out with a black and white coloring until [[Link (The Wind Waker)|Link]] retrieves the Master Sword, which then turns the castle back to color.

==''Four Swords Adventures''==
{{Main|Hyrule Castle (Stage)}}
{{Main|Infiltration of Hyrule Castle}}
[[File:Hyrule Castle - 4SA map.png|right]]
Hyrule Castle is a dungeon in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'' that [[Link (Four Swords Adventures)|Link]] visits twice. The first time is the third stage of [[Whereabouts of the Wind]]. The Links attempt to rescue the first [[Shrine Maidens#Green Maiden|Maiden]] from the evil Castle Guards. While there, Link reunites the two halves of the [[Queen of Fairies]], making her whole again. Link must fight [[Phantom Ganon]] in order to find the Maiden.

The second visit is during the [[Near the Fields]] level. This time, Link must use stealth to avoid being seen by the guards, who will throw Link into a jail cell if found. Once finally making it past the guards, Link needs to defeat [[Jalhalla]] in order to rescue the [[Shrine Maidens#White Maiden|White Maiden]].

Hyrule Castle in ''Four Swords Adventures'' highly resembles the one from ''A Link to the Past''.
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==''The Minish Cap''==
Link first visits here under the order of his [[Master Smith|grandfather]] to deliver the [[Smith's Sword]], which is to be awarded to the winner of a sword tournament at the [[Picori Festival]]. [[Vaati]] wins the tournament, but holds no interest in the sword whatsoever. Instead, he attempts to steal the [[Picori Blade]] and instead he manages to break the blade and turn [[Zelda (The Minish Cap)|Princess Zelda]] to stone. [[Link (The Minish Cap)|Link]] then must use the [[Elemental Sanctuary]] to restore the power of the blade, and, after a while, the king appears to change his mood dramatically. In fact, this is due to the fact [[Vaati]] is disguised as the king, and ultimately decides to transform the castle into the [[Dark Hyrule Castle]].

==''Twilight Princess''==
{{Main|Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)}}
The largest version of Hyrule Castle so far, this one is not fully accessible until the end of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''. However, [[Link (Twilight Princess)|Link]] can access the [[Hyrule Castle Rooftop|roof]] in the early portions of the game. Hyrule Castle is the final dungeon in ''Twilight Princess''.

==''Spirit Tracks''==
Filled to the brim with guards who do not really do anything, Hyrule Castle in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]'' is a lot like the one in ''A Link to the Past'', but with no dungeons. This is where Link gets his [[Engineer Certificate]], [[Recruit Uniform]], and most importantly, his [[Recruit's Sword|Sword]].

==''Breath of the Wild''==
{{Main|Hyrule Castle (Breath of the Wild)}}
Hyrule Castle is located in the center of Hyrule, and is completely accessible to Link after leaving the [[Great Plateau]]. However, the difficulty is significantly increased, and it is wise to avoid the area until completing other areas and dungeons. Hyrule Castle is the final dungeon in ''Breath of the Wild'', and the location of the trapped [[Zelda (Breath of the Wild)|Princess Zelda]] and [[Calamity Ganon]].

==''Tears of the Kingdom''==
{{Main|Hyrule Castle (Tears of the Kingdom)}}
Following the [[Upheaval]], a large part of the castle levitates above the ground. After reunite the four Sages, the Princess Zelda been spotted in the castle and Link is trying to find her as part of the quest [[Crisis at Hyrule Castle]], culminating in a boss battle against 10 [[Phantom Ganon (Tears of the Kingdom)|Phantom Ganon]].

==''Echoes of Wisdom''==
{{FutureRelease|section|date=26 September 2024}} 
{{Main|Hyrule Castle (Echoes of Wisdom)}}
Hyrule Castle appears on the Central Plateau where it is surrounded by its [[Castle Town (Echoes of Wisdom)|Castle Town]].

==Non-Canon Appearances==
{{Non-Canon|section}}
===''Super Smash Bros.'' Series===
[[File:Hyrule Castle - SSB64.png|''Super Smash Bros.''|200px|right]]
{{quote|A tornado spins about the stage, wreaking havoc on all that cross its path.|''Super Smash Bros'' manual description of the Hyrule Castle stage}}
Hyrule Castle appears as a stage in ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''. The same stage is later reused as a returning stage in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]'' ([https://www.smashbros.com/wiiu-3ds/us/dlc/ where it was available as DLC in either version for US$1.99, or both combined for US$2.99]) and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.

The ''Twilight Princess'' [[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|version of Hyrule Castle]] can be seen in the background of the [[Bridge of Eldin]] stage, originally from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and reused in ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'' & ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.
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===''Cadence of Hyrule''===
====Past====
{{Main|Hyrule Castle (Cadence of Hyrule)}}
Hyrule Castle is the penultimate dungeon in ''[[Cadence of Hyrule]]'', situated in the center of [[Hyrule]] and the only location in the game that isn't randomly placed. It is the home of the king of Hyrule, who [[Octavo]] puts to sleep when he takes over the castle, and the first two [[Legendary Weapons]] in the game: [[Caladbolg]] and the [[Royal Rapier]]. After Octavo is defeated, a portal to [[Future World]] opens in the castle leading to the final dungeon in the game.

====Future====
{{Main|Future World}}
In the Future World, Hyrule Castle is a dark, dreary castle standing in a crumbling kingdom. The castle is now home to [[Ganon]] (or [[The NecroDancer]] in Octavo's Ode) and the final Legendary Weapon: [[Eli's Greatshovel]].

===Other===
*The ''[[Link's Crossbow Training]]'' stage [[Hyrule Castle: Defender]] takes place in the [[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|''Twilight Princess'' version of Hyrule Castle]].
*The ''[[Hyrule Warriors]]'' stage [[Hyrule Field (Hyrule Warriors)|Hyrule Field]] has Hyrule Castle at one corner of it, and cutscenes early in the game take place there.
*[[Hyrule Circuit]], a DLC stage in the [[Wii U]] ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and base track in the [[Nintendo Switch]] port ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'', takes place around and through Hyrule Castle.

==Trivia==
*In ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', there are stained glass portraits of the [[Seven Sages]] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'' in Hyrule Castle. There is also a stained glass portrait of [[Ganon]]dorf.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:S-hyrule-castle.jpg|Illustration of [[Hyrule Castle (A Link to the Past)|Hyrule Castle]] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''
File:Hyrule Castle - OOT64.png|Hyrule Castle from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''
File:Hyrule Castle - OOT3D.png|Hyrule Castle from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D|Ocarina of Time 3D]]''
File:Hyrule_Castle_(WW).jpg|Hyrule Castle from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]''
File:Hyrule Castle Garden - TMC.png|[[Hyrule Castle Garden]] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]''
File:Hyrule Castle Twilight.jpg|[[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|Hyrule Castle]] covered in [[Twilight]], from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''
File:Castle Town Central Square panorama tall - TPGCN.png|Hyrule Castle, looming over [[Castle Town]] in ''Twilight Princess''
File:Hyrule_Castle_(ST).png|Hyrule Castle from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Outside-Map.png|Outside Hyrule Castle Map from ''Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Floor-1-Map.png|Hyrule Castle 1st Floor Map from ''Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Floor-2-Map.png|Hyrule Castle Interior 2nd Floor Map from ''Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Floor-2-Exterior-Map.png|Hyrule Castle Exterior 2nd Floor Map from ''Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Floor-3.png|Hyrule Castle 3rd Floor Map from ''Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Break-Room-Map.png|Hyrule Castle Break Room Map from ''Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Training-Room-Map.png|Hyrule Castle Training Room Map from ''Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Zeldas-Map.png|Hyrule Castle Map from ''Zelda's Letter in Spirit Tracks''
File:Hyrule-Castle-Breath-Wild.png|[[Hyrule Castle (Breath of the Wild)|Hyrule Castle]] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''
File:TotK-Hyrule-Castle-Rising.png|[[Hyrule Castle (Tears of the Kingdom)|Hyrule Castle]] from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]''
File:Hyrule Castle Stage Select - SSB64.png|''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' Stage Select
File:Hyrule Castle GO - SSB64.png|''Super Smash Bros.''
File:Hyrule Castle Link vs Link 1 - SSB64.png|''Super Smash Bros.''
File:Hyrule Castle Link vs Link 2 - SSB64.png|''Super Smash Bros.''
File:Hyrule Castle Link vs Link 3 - SSB64.png|''Super Smash Bros.''
File:ssbu-hyrule-castle.jpg|''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' Hyrule Castle - Stage Overview
</gallery>

{{Listbox|Ocarina of Time Locations}}
{{Listbox|The Wind Waker Locations}}
{{Listbox|The Minish Cap Locations}}
{{Listbox|Spirit Tracks Locations}}

{{Cat|Ocarina of Time Locations}}
{{Cat|The Wind Waker Locations}}
{{Cat|Four Swords Adventures Locations}}
{{Cat|The Minish Cap Locations}}
{{Cat|Twilight Princess Locations}}
{{Cat|Spirit Tracks Locations}}
{{Cat|Breath of the Wild Locations}}
{{Cat|Cadence of Hyrule Locations}}
{{Cat|Age of Calamity Locations}}
{{cat|Super Smash Bros. Series}}
{{Cat|Mario Kart 8}}
{{cat|Lanayru Locations}}