One of the most beloved and familiar areas in any Zelda game is Kakariko Village — a small hamlet present in many iterations of Hyrule that feels like a safe recluse from the rest of the world. Link's quest has taken him through this village many times, where he'll usually find new characters to help him on his journey.

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Kakariko Village first appeared in A Link to the Past, where Link ventured to gain some crucial information on his quest to save Princess Zelda. Since then, it has continued to serve as an important location in many games. Here are all of Kakariko Village's appearances, ranked from worst to best.

Updated by Kyle Chamaillard on May 27, 2023: Most Legend of Zelda games feature familiar elements such as the Master Sword, the Triforce, and certain areas like Kakariko Village. Tears of the Kingdom launched in May 2023 and includes another iteration of the fan-favorite location. We've decided to update this list to see where the newest version of Kakariko Village ranks against the rest.

8 Four Swords Adventures

A forest catches fire beside a house

Borrowing heavily from its design in A Link to the Past, Kakariko Village appears in Four Swords Adventures as one of the Dark World levels. In this iteration, it has been taken over by thieves and darkness has descended over it. You will need to take down the Shadow Links to rescue the village from burning to the ground.

It sparks some nostalgia for its original appearance but otherwise isn't noteworthy. There are only a few scattered houses with some nondescript residents and not much else to see. It feels empty and heartless, making it not nearly as memorable as other iterations.

Link stands by a pillar in Kakariko Village

This 3DS staple takes place in the same version of Hyrule as A Link to the Past, and as a result, features a Kakariko Village that is very similar to the original appearance. However, being nearly identical, it doesn't really add much that didn't already exist over a decade earlier.

There are some new shops and merchants that are noteworthy, and it's home to a dungeon in its Lorule counterpart, Thieves' Town. While it is nice to see such a great version of Kakariko Village updated with modern graphics, it's a version that we've more or less seen before.

6 Cadence Of Hyrule

Link walks through Kakariko Village

One of the most underrated versions of Hyrule is the one that appears in a spin-off game, Cadence of Hyrule. In this rhythm-based adventure, Link or Zelda - depending on who you choose to play as - will visit Kakariko Village to revive the other.

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It's a fairly small little hamlet in this side game, basically encompassed as a single screen. That being said, it's charming, and it looks fantastic, as do most places in Cadence of Hyrule. It feels nostalgic with this design and appearance, and the graveyard is always a nice touch for a Zelda game.

5 Ocarina Of Time

A view of Kakariko Village from Ocarina of Time

The iteration of Kakariko Village that you're probably most familiar with and fond of is the one present in Ocarina of Time. The village is an important location that Link will visit many times, serving as a type of crossroads. It rests at the foot of Death Mountain - which houses two different dungeons - as well as having its own mini-dungeon and the Shadow Temple residing at the back of the graveyard.

This version of Kakariko Village is truly iconic. The multi-leveled town with different landmarks like the windmill and shops makes it feel like a real place that has a lot to offer. You also see changes when you visit as adult Link, with the newly-built shooting gallery, and former residents of Hyrule Castle Town who sought refuge here after the rise of Ganondorf.

4 Twilight Princess

A view of Kakariko Village from Twilight Princess

In Twilight Princess, Kakariko Village appears in a very different style than in previous renditions. Instead of being a bustling town, it looks and feels more like a run-down spot in a Western flick. Most of the villagers have been turned into Shadow Beasts, with the only survivors being the village shaman, his daughter, and the Bomb Shop owner. The missing Ordon Village children also made their way to Kakariko Village, and it is here that Malo sets up his iconic Malo Mart.

Despite being rather desolate, this version of Kakariko Village is incredibly memorable, with many major plot points playing out during your visits. It is from here that you will make your way up Death Mountain, and surprisingly, this dry and barren area also houses a Zora graveyard and plays an important part in opening the way to Lakebed Temple.

Link talks to a merchant in Kakariko Village

Kakariko Village set a high bar in its original appearance. It's a lively, bustling hub of economic activity and the home to many important characters. There are several unique buildings and merchants to peruse, including a bar, library, blacksmith, and more among the villagers' homes.

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Being the largest settlement in A Link to the Past, you'll find yourself in Kakariko Village numerous times on your quest. While many of the townspeople have worthwhile information, a handful of them also blame Link for Princess Zelda's kidnapping and won't look so kindly upon you. You will also visit its Dark World counterpart, the Village of Outcasts, which is an important location on your adventure.

2 Breath Of The Wild

Impa's house beneath a waterfall in Kakariko Village

Breath of the Wild is the series' first open-world game, which gave the developers a lot more space to play with when creating towns and areas for Link to explore. They absolutely nailed the execution, as never before have iconic places like Zora's Domain and Kakariko Village felt so fleshed out and alive.

This iteration of Kakariko is truly stunning. While certainly the largest scaled version of the village, it still has the feel of a small settlement. Most depictions of Kakariko Village look like cobblestone towns that would surround a castle, but Breath of the Wild's incarnation has taken design inspiration from different Japanese time periods, giving it a quaint and humble feel compared to other locales One can spend hours here just taking in the sights and sounds, from the beautiful water features around town to the variety of gardens and buildings, as well as the many side quests to discover.

1 Tears Of The Kingdom

Ring ruins loom over Kakariko Village

Hyrule has changed significantly since the events of Breath of the Wild, and few locations have changed as drastically as Kakariko Village. What was once a peaceful town has now become a hot spot for tourists to check out the recently fallen Ring Ruins that now loom over the area. There are plenty of familiar faces still hanging around, but Kakariko Village has a new air of mystery around it that makes it more compelling than ever before.

While the Great Fairy Fountain has moved locations, there are still many excellent side quests, character moments, and more waiting for you in Tears of the Kingdom's iteration of Kakariko Village. The music is just as excellent as always, and there is so much more to do that you could easily spend hours talking to the locals and investigating the new landmarks.

Next: Things To Do First In The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom