Summary
The Legend of Zeldais one of Nintendo’s most popular video game franchises, with every title featuring an expansive world for players to explore. Aside from a few exceptions, most installments take place in the fantasy setting of Hyrule, though the landscape changes with every new entry, particularly as the series has evolved throughout the innovation of game consoles.
The more recentLegend of Zeldagames give players an overworld map to explore that has become way more immersive, with more than enough for players to discover over hundreds of hours. Considering all the changes that have been applied toThe Legend ofZelda’smaps, these eight versions of Hyrule (and other locations) are the very best that players have gotten to explore.
This first entry on the list is a rarity in that it doesn’t take place in the familiar setting of Hyrule like many otherZeldatitles. Originally released for the Nintendo GameBoy beforegetting a re-release on Nintendo Switchin 2019,The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakeningtakes place on Koholint Island, a small but easy-to-explore locale that only exists in a dream.
Though there’s not much to the overworld map compared to the vastness of some otherZeldainstallments, it nevertheless offers a cozy environment for players to experience. Particularly in the Nintendo Switch remake, exploring the overworld has an almost tropical feel, which makes the entire game feel lighter and breezier than otherZeldatitles.
Majora’s Mask,the sequel to the Nintendo 64’sOcarina of Time,is another entry on this list that doesn’t take place in Hyrule. Early in the game, Link is transported to the mysterious land of Termina by Skull Kid. This new land isthreatened with doomsday by the forest-dwelling child. As a result, Link makes use of time travel to accomplish a lot within a 3-day time limit.
Because the game encourages players to retrace their steps, by the end players have gotten quite familiar with Termina and its various map locations, from the bustling central location, Clock Town, to the forests and mountains that make up its terrain. Though it doesn’t have as many familiar destinations as Hylian maps, it makes for a memorable overworld nonetheless.
The predecessor toMajora’s Maskis amongthe more iconic interpretations of Hyrulethroughout theZeldafranchise, establishing many integral destinations depicted in future games. Once players exit Kokiri Forest after the game’s opening, they spend time exploring places like Death Mountain, Gerudo Valley, and Lake Hylia.
Overall, the overworld map inOcarina of Timeis iconic, but it’s pretty basic compared to future titles in the series. The game itself almost makes traveling from point to point difficult, The fastest form of travel is on horseback, as fast travel would not be added to the series until later installments.
5The Legend Of Zelda
The Original Hyrule
Few overworld maps inThe Legend of Zeldaare more iconic than the very first map from its original NES title, which was released in 1986. Until 2017’sBreath of the Wild, this was also the most freedom players were given in Hyrule, leaving it up to players to explore with little to no guidance on where they should go, though this did make progressing quite difficult.
Perhaps the biggest flaw in the overworld map fromThe Legend of Zeldais its simplicity, but it makes up for it with a massive size compared to titles likeLink’s Awakening. It may seem overwhelming for new players, but by the time they’re ready to face Ganon, they will know the map and its intricacies like the back of their hand.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princesswas released simultaneously for the GameCube and Nintendo Wii in 2006, introducing players to a darker version of the franchise than they had seen before. This translates to the game’s overworld map, with players spending most of the game navigating a Hyrule that has been covered in darknessdue to a Twili invasion.
It features many of the iconic locations introduced inOcarina of Time, including Death Mountain, Kakariko Village, and the Gerudo Desert. Though the game’s story is much more linear, leaving little room to explore, the design of this version of Hyrule felt like the most fleshed-out and vibrant the series had seen up to this point, even if it lacked creativity.
In terms of creativity,The Wind WakerhasTwilight Princessbeat. In this GameCube title, Hyrule has been flooded to prevent the return of Ganondorf, meaning the land is made up of several disconnected islands. Fortunately, players have more opportunities to explore this overworld, sailing on the King of Red Lions anywhere they want.
While the game’s story will direct players on where to go, getting to discover what the Great Sea has to offer isa huge part ofThe Wind Waker’s appeal. There are plenty of secrets to discover, from hidden islands to dangerous enemies. For those who’d rather not explore, the game also integrates fast travel by playing the Ballad of Gales on the titular Wind Waker baton.
The SNESZeldatitleA Link to the Pastwas the first opportunity Nintendo had to flesh out the land of Hyrule, andthey made a memorable impression. The continuous overworld map is among the most vibrant iterations of Hyrule, giving players the opportunity to explore it for secrets like the NES game, but with the freedom of more modern titles likeBreath of the Wild.
After over two decades, Nintendo gaveA Link to the Pasta direct sequel on the 3DS, titledA Link Between Worlds,which upgraded the map for a newer generation console. What’s even more impressive about these two versions of Hyrule is they each have a dark world - an inversion of the game’s primary world - to explore, though the one inA Link Between Worldsis a little more psychedelic in its design.
It’ll be difficult for any futureZeldagames to top the overworld maps of the two most recent installments.Breath of the Wildwas an ambitious move for Nintendo, boasting an expansive open-world map with lots to discover, and boy did they deliver. The overworld map is not only a blast to explore, but players could spend hundreds of hours doing so.
It’s even more impressive that they upped the ante in 2023’sTears of the Kingdom.This time around, the expansive map of Hyrule remains nearly identical, with the addition of Sky Islands that give players more to explore vertically. Plus,the mysterious Depths below Hyruledouble the game’s explorable areas, while also doubling the threat as well.
