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[[File:File:SmallKeySS.png.png|20x20px]] [[|]] Keys are items found in the dungeons of every Zelda game. They are necessary for advancing through locked doors. Keys can be obtained through a variety of different puzzles, such as defeating all the enemies in a room. Once a Key is used, it disappears from Link's Inventory.

There are three different types of keys: Small Keys, Boss Keys (which grant access to the dungeon's boss), and Dungeon Keys (needed to enter their respective dungeon).

Types of Keys

Small Keys

MM3D Small Key Icon

Small Keys are featured in many Zelda games. They can be found in small chests, by defeating enemies such as Rats in A Link to the Past, or bought from a Merchant in The Legend of Zelda. A Small Key can be used to open locked doors that have chains around them[1] and key blocks. In every Zelda game, except The Legend of Zelda, they can only be used in the dungeon where they are found.

In games such as Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask, having the Compass will show Link where a hidden Key is found in a room via the Dungeon Map. The alert could be a tone sounding upon entering the room, as in Link's Awakening, or a colored blip on the map as seen in The Wind Waker.[2]

In Tri Force Heroes, Small Keys appear as objects that can be picked up, like Pots or stones. A Link must carry the Key to its keyhole, and will drop it if he takes damage. If the Key falls into a pit, quicksand, or water, it will reappear in its initial spot. Some enemies, such as Karat Crabs and Key Bandit Poes, will attempt to take the Key from the Links, in which case they must be defeated, stunned, or otherwise avoided in order to progress.

Boss Keys

MM3D Boss Key Icon
File:BossKey.gif

Link obtaining a Boss Key in Ocarina of Time

Boss Keys are one of the three standard dungeon items, the other two being the Compass and the Dungeon Map. They are also called Big Keys in A Link to the Past, The Wind Waker, The Minish Cap, and Twilight Princess,[3][4][5][6] and are specifically known as Nightmare Keys in Link's Awakening.[7] They are generally used to open the big door leading to the boss' chamber. In A Link to the Past, Big Keys are also necessary to open the Treasure Chests containing a dungeon's special item, and doors unlocked by the Big Key may not necessarily lead directly to the boss. In Twilight Princess, the Big Key from the Goron Mines had to be put together by obtaining the three Key Shards from the Goron Elders. In Snowpeak Ruins, the Big Key is replaced by the Bedroom Key, as said dungeon is actually the mansion residence of Yeto and Yeta. In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, Link must carry the Boss Key in his hands rather than inventory. In certain instances in Spirit Tracks, the key is electrified and Link must have his Phantom partner carry it for him.

Dungeon Keys

Dungeon Keys allow access to a dungeon. Not all dungeons in games that feature Dungeon Keys require a Dungeon Key to open. Alternatively, Dungeon Keys are specific to which dungeon they open.

Other Keys

In Four Swords, Great Keys are special Keys given to the Links upon completing a mission. They are required to unlock the final mission in the game, as well as to unlock bonus content.

Phantom Hourglass featured three Keys needed to open special doors spread across the islands of the World of the Ocean King: the Sun Key, the Ghost Key, and the King's Key.

Boss Door Objects

Main article: Boss Door Objects

In Skyward Sword, Boss Door Objects are a special type of Keys with unique three-dimensional structures. The objects must be rotated until they glow gold, indicating that it is in the correct orientation. These objects are then inserted into the lock and the door opens automatically.

Gallery

Small Keys

Boss Keys

Dungeon Keys

Other Keys

See Also

References

  1. "You found a Small Key! This key will open a locked door. You can use it only in this dungeon." — N/A (Ocarina of Time)
  2. "You've got the Compass! Now, you can see where the chests and Nightmare are hidden! This Compass has a new feature — a tone will tell you if a key is hidden in a room when you enter!" — N/A (Link's Awakening)
  3. "You got the Big Key! This is the master key of the dungeon. It can open many locks that small keys cannot." — N/A (A Link to the Past)
  4. "You got the Big Key! Use it to gain entrance to the room where the dungeon's boss lurks!" — N/A (The Wind Waker)
  5. "You got the Big Key! Use it to open big doors!" — N/A (The Minish Cap)
  6. "You got the big key! Use it to gain access to the lair of this dungeon's boss!" — N/A (Twilight Princess)
  7. "Eh? It's locked! You can open the door with the Nightmare Key." — N/A (Link's Awakening)
TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name
Key Door Key Small Key Big Key
Boss Key
Japan Japanese Template:Japanese
French-speaking countries French Clé Petite clé Grande clé
Clé du Boss
Grande clé Template:ExpGame
Canada FrenchCA Clé Template:ExpGame Petite clé Template:ExpGame Grande clé Template:ExpGame
Federal Republic of Germany German Schlüssel Kleiner Schlüssel Template:ExpGame Großer Schlüssel Template:ExpGame
Italian Republic Italian Chiave piccola Template:ExpGame Grande chiave Template:ExpGame
Kingdom of Spain SpanishEU Llave pequeña Template:ExpGame Big key Template:ExpGame
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States SpanishLA Llave Template:ExpGame Llave pequeña Template:ExpGame Big key Template:ExpGame
Boss key Template:ExpGame

Template:Items

Template:Keys

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