- Not to be confused with the Temple of Darkness in Four Swords Adventures or the Dark Palace in A Link Between Worlds.
The Palace of Darkness,[1] also known as Dark Palace and Level 1,[2] is the first Dungeon of the Dark World in A Link to the Past. It is found where the Eastern Palace is located in Hyrule.
Entrance to the Palace[]
Both incarnations are located in the east, in the area were first stood the Eastern Palace. Access to the dungeon is granted by walking through the maze in A Link to the Past. Eventually, in the former, a monkey named Kiki follows Link and asks for ten Rupees. Link must give him the requested amount and continues towards the dungeon. There, the monkey will offer to reveal the dungeon's entrance for one hundred more Rupees. Link must give him these as well before the monkey opens the dungeon for the young hero by hopping onto an otherwise inaccessible switch.
[]
This dungeon introduces a greater level of danger than those found in the Light World, introducing Blade Traps and Medusa among a new host of enemies such as Helmasaurs, making their first appearance in the series. Link will encounter special ledges that allow him to perform an autojump when he runs off of them. In addition, some statues can be pushed Link if he touches them, which he must do to pass through dangerous areas and solve puzzles. Strange, eerie creatures known as Goriya mimic Link's moves (similar to Mask-Mimics and Arm-Mimics in later games), and should some of these enemies face Link directly they will fire a bolt of fire at him. The treasure is the Magic Hammer, which is used to remove Moles and defeat Terrorpins so that Link can reach the Dungeon Master. The boss is the Helmasaur King, a gigantic Helmasaur. After defeating him Link receives a Heart Container and the first Crystal in A Link to the Past.
Enemies and Traps[]
Non-canon Appearances[]
A Link to the Past (Ishinomori)[]
.png){kind=link}
The Palace of Darkness in the comic
The Palace of Darkness is also featured in the A Link to the Past comic by Shotaro Ishinomori. After being told by Zora that a Maiden is imprisoned in the nearby palace, Link decides to go and rescue the maiden. Before leaving, Zora allows Link to take Epheremelda as a guide and grants him the Zora's Mask to disguise himself and not look so conspicuous as he is sneaking around the palace.[3]
The duo arrive to the Palace of Darkness and eventually reach the storeroom with the Firecorn explosives,[4] and although Link had been able to sneak around with the Zora's Mask without being noticed,[5] he is discovered by a Rocklops.[6] This summons a Hinox, who prepares to arm a grenade, only to be chastised by the Rocklops,[7]. The young hero disregards his warning and takes a Hinox's bomb belt that was wrapped around it.[8] Link then sees the crystal in the ruins and hopes he has rescued Zelda, but is attacked by a Gleeok that was called upon by the Rocklops. All Link had time to do before readying himself for a fight was to look at Zelda, only to see it was one of the other Six Maidens, commenting to himself "No, it is not her!" Although he defeats it easily with the Master Sword, soon more Hinoxs riding Gleeoks begin to head towards him.[9] Link gives Epheremelda ones of the bombs from the Hinox's belt, which eventually denotes the firecorn stockpile and destroys the entire palace. This allows the maiden to be freed from the crystal, who thanks Link and grants him a relic called the Comm-Fork.[10]
Trivia[]
- As with the Light World dungeons, this dungeon is translated as a Palace; from Ocarina of Time onwards, 神殿 (Shinden) is always translated as "Temple."
- The Palace of Darkness shares its Japanese name with the Shadow Temple of Ocarina of Time.
Nomenclature[]
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | 闇の神殿 (Yami no Shinden) | Temple of Darkness |
 |
FrenchEU | Palais des Ténèbres | Palace of Darkness |
 |
German | Palast der Dunkelheit | Palace of Darkness |
 |
Italian | Palazzo Cupo | Gloomy Palace |
 |
SpanishEU | Templo de Sombras | Shadow Temple |
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 147
- ↑ "Level 1
Dark Palace" — N/A (A Link to the Past, Game Boy Advance version) - ↑ "If you mussst go, take my Epheremelda for your ggguide... Also, your gggrotesssque face isss too conssspicuousss... You musst wear Zzzora's Masssk!!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 6)
- ↑ "The storeroom of the palace! If this went off, they wouldn't call it the Palace of Darkness!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 8)
- ↑ "Now I know why Zora put this thing on my face!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 9)
- ↑ "I can see another face behind the mask! The face of an intruder! Death to the interloper!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 9)
- ↑ "You fool! you know what will happen if you use the firecorn here?!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 10)
- ↑ "We'll all go up in smoke! But if you guys are going to get me...we'll all go together!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 10)
- ↑ "Link!! There's more on the way!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 12)
- ↑ "Thank you, Link! Because of you I can escape this Crystal prison! Now, here is something that will help you--the Comm-Fork!" (A Link to the Past manga, VIZ Media, pg. 16)
Dungeons in The Legend of Zelda series
Parapa Palace · Midoro Palace · Island Palace · Maze Island Palace
Palace on the Sea · Three-Eye Rock Palace 
· Great Palace
Light World
Sewer Passageway · Eastern Palace · Desert Palace · Tower of Hera · Hyrule Castle Tower
Dark World
Palace of Darkness · Swamp Palace · Skull Woods · Thieves' Town (Dungeon) · Ice Palace · Misery Mire (Dungeon) · Turtle Rock · Ganon's Tower
Palace of the Four Sword
Main Dungeons
Tail Cave · Bottle Grotto · Key Cavern · Angler's Tunnel · Catfish's Maw · Face Shrine · Eagle's Tower · Turtle Rock · Wind Fish's Egg
Mini-Dungeons
Moblin Cave · Kanalet Castle · Ancient Ruins
Optional Dungeons
Color Dungeon (LADX | LANS) · Chamber Dungeon (LANS)
Child Dungeons
Inside the Deku Tree · Dodongo's Cavern · Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly
Adult Dungeons'
Forest Temple · Fire Temple · Water Temple · Shadow Temple · Spirit Temple · Ganon's Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Woodfall Temple · Snowhead Temple · Great Bay Temple · Stone Tower Temple
Mini-Dungeons
Swamp Spider House · Pirates' Fortress · Oceanside Spider House · Beneath the Well · Ancient Castle of Ikana
Moon Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Spirit's Grave · Wing Dungeon · Moonlit Grotto · Skull Dungeon · Crown Dungeon · Mermaid's Cave · Jabu-Jabu's Belly · Ancient Tomb · Black Tower (Turret) · Room of Rites(OoS | OoA)
Mini-Dungeons
Maku Road · Great Moblin's Keep · Ambi's Palace · Black Tower (Rescue Zelda) · Hero's Cave
Main Dungeons
Gnarled Root Dungeon · Snake's Remains · Poison Moth's Lair · Dancing Dragon Dungeon · Unicorn's Cave · Ancient Ruins · Explorer's Crypt · Sword & Shield Maze · Onox's Castle · Room of Rites(OoS | OoA)
Mini-Dungeons
Chambers of Insight · Sea of Trees · Talus Cave · Death Mountain · Vaati's Palace
Anniversary Edition
Main Dungeons
Forsaken Fortress · Dragon Roost Cavern · Forbidden Woods · Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple · Wind Temple · Ganon's Tower
Mini-Dungeons
Whereabouts of the Wind — Lake Hylia · Cave of No Return · Hyrule Castle
Eastern Hyrule — The Coast · Village of the Blue Maiden · Eastern Temple
Death Mountain — Death Mountain Foothills · The Mountain Path · Tower of Flames
Near the Fields — The Field · The Swamp · Infiltration of Hyrule Castle
The Dark World — Lost Woods · Kakariko Village (Four Swords Adventures) · Temple of Darkness
Desert of Doubt — Desert of Doubt · Desert Temple · Pyramid
Frozen Hyrule — Frozen Hyrule · Temple of Ice · Tower of Winds
Realm of the Heavens — Realm of the Heavens · The Dark Cloud · Palace of Winds
Main Dungeons
Deepwood Shrine · Cave of Flames · Fortress of Winds · Temple of Droplets · Palace of Winds · Dark Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Main Dungeons
Forest Temple · Goron Mines · Lakebed Temple · Arbiter's Grounds · Snowpeak Ruins
Temple of Time · City in the Sky · Palace of Twilight · Hyrule Castle
Mini-Dungeons
Lantern Caverns · Cave of Ordeals · Cave of Shadows (TPHD)
Dungeons
Temple of Fire · Temple of Wind · Temple of Courage · Ghost Ship · Goron Temple · Temple of Ice · Mutoh's Temple
Master Dungeon
Dungeons
Forest Temple · Snow Temple · Ocean Temple · Fire Temple · Sand Temple
Master Dungeon
Mini-Dungeon
Lost at Sea Station · Tunnel to the Tower · Take 'Em All On!
Main Dungeons
Skyview Temple · Earth Temple · Lanayru Mining Facility · Ancient Cistern · Sandship · Fire Sanctuary · Sky Keep
Mini-Dungeons
Hyrule
Eastern Palace · Tower of Hera · House of Gales · Inside Hyrule Castle
Desert Palace
Lorule
Ice Ruins · Swamp Palace · Thieves' Hideout · Dark Palace
Skull Woods · Turtle Rock · Lorule Castle
Woodlands — Deku Forest (Level) · Buzz Blob Cave · Moblin Base · Forest Temple
Riverside — Secret Fortress · Abyss of Agony · Cove of Transition · Water Temple
Volcano — Blazing Trail · Hinox Mine · Den of Flames · Fire Temple
Ice Cavern — Frozen Plateau · Snowball Ravine · Silver Shrine · Ice Temple
Fortress — Sealed Gateway · Bomb Storage · Training Ground · The Lady's Lair
The Dunes — Infinity Dunes · Stone Corridors · Gibdo Mausoleum · Desert Temple
The Ruins — Illusory Mansion · Palace Noir · Lone Labyrinth · Grim Temple
Sky Realm — Floating Garden · Deception Castle · Dragon Citadel · Sky Temple
Forest Zone · Flooded Zone · Scorching Zone · Frozen Zone · Fortified Zone · Desert Zone · Shadow Zone · Baneful Zone
Main Dungeons
Divine Beast Vah Ruta · Divine Beast Vah Rudania · Divine Beast Vah Medoh · Divine Beast Vah Naboris · Hyrule Castle · Final Trial (TCB)
Mini-Dungeons
Trial of the Sword (TMT ) · Yiga Clan Hideout
Ancient Shrines
Akh Va'quot ·
Bosh Kala ·
Chaas Qeta ·
Daag Chokah ·
Dagah Keek ·
Dah Kaso ·
Dah Hesho ·
Daka Tuss ·
Dako Tah ·
Daqa Koh ·
Daqo Chisay ·
Dila Maag ·
Dow Na'eh ·
Dunba Taag ·
Gee Ha'rah ·
Gorae Torr ·
Ha Dahamar ·
Hawa Koth ·
Hia Miu ·
Hila Rao ·
Ishto Soh ·
Ja Baij ·
Jee Noh ·
Jitan Sa'mi ·
Joloo Nah ·
Ka'o Makagh ·
Kaam Ya'tak ·
Kah Mael Shrine ·
Kah Okeo Shrine ·
Kah Yah Shrine ·
Kam Urog Shrine ·
Katah Chuki ·
Katosa Aug ·
Kay Noh ·
Kaya Wan ·
Kayra Mah ·
Ke'nai Shakah ·
Keeha Yoog ·
Keh Namut ·
Kema Kosassa ·
Kema Zoos ·
Keo Ruug ·
Ketoh Wawai ·
Korgu Chideh ·
Korsh O'hu ·
Kuh Takkar ·
Kuhn Sidajj ·
Lakna Rokee ·
Lanno Kooh ·
Maag Halan ·
Maag No'rah ·
Maka Rah ·
Mezza Lo ·
Mijah Rokee ·
Mirro Shaz ·
Misae Suma ·
Mo'a Keet ·
Mogg Latan ·
Monya Toma ·
Mozo Shenno ·
Muwo Jeem ·
Myahm Agana ·
Namika Ozz ·
Ne'ez Yohma ·
Noya Neha ·
Oman Au ·
Owa Daim ·
Pumaag Nitae ·
Qua Raym ·
Qaza Tokki ·
Qukah Nata ·
Raqa Zunzo ·
Ree Dahee ·
Rin Oyaa ·
Ritaag Zumo ·
Rok Uwog ·
Rona Kachta ·
Rota Ooh ·
Rucco Maag ·
Saas Ko'sah ·
Sah Dahaj ·
Sasa Kai ·
Sha Gehma ·
Sha Warvo ·
Shada Naw ·
Shae Katha ·
Shae Loya ·
Shae Mo'sah ·
Shai Utoh ·
Shai Yota ·
Shee Vaneer ·
Shee Venath ·
Sheem Dagoze ·
Sheh Rata ·
Sho Dantu ·
Shoda Sah ·
Shoqa Tatone ·
Shora Hah ·
Soh Kofi ·
Suma Sahma ·
Ta'loh Naeg ·
Tah Muhl ·
Tahno O'ah ·
Tawa Jinn ·
Tena Ko'sah ·
Tho Kayu ·
To Quomo ·
Toh Yahsa ·
Toto Sah ·
Tu Ka'loh ·
Tutsuwa Nima ·
Voo Lota ·
Wahgo Katta ·
Ya Naga ·
Yah Rin ·
Zalta Wa ·
Ze Kahso ·
Zuna Kai
Ancient Shrines (TCB)
Etsu Korima · Kamia Omuna · Kee Dafunia · Keive Tala · Kiah Toza · Kihiro Moh · Mah Eliya · Noe Rajee · Rinu Honika · Rohta Chigah · Ruvo Korbah · Sato Koda · Sharo Lun · Shira Gomar · Takama Shiri · Yowaka Ita
Main Dungeons
Wind Temple · Fire Temple · Water Temple · Lightning Temple · Hyrule Castle · Spirit Temple · Gloom's Lair
Mini-Dungeons
Level 1 — Ordon Target Practice · Gerudo Stalfos: Defender · Arbiter's Grounds: Ranger
Level 2 — Goron Target Practice · Zora River: Defender · Skull Shooting
Level 3 — Kakariko Target Practice · Fruit Balloons · The Great Bridge: Defender
Level 4 — Zora River Target Practice · Hyrule Castle: Defender · Skulltula Forest: Ranger
Level 5 — Oocca Target Practice · Gerudo Moldorm: Defender · The Shootout
Level 6 — Ordon Target Practice 2 · Bridge of Eldin: Defender · Snowpeak Ruins: Ranger
Level 7 — Underground Target Practice · City in the Sky: Defender · Temple of Time: Ranger
Level 8 — Horseback Target Practice · Snowpeak Ruins: Defender · Darknut Battle
Finale — Ranch Target Practice · Sacred Grove: Defender · Fossil Stallord Battle