Page "The Legend of Zelda" Paragraph 5

Every game in the main Zelda series has consisted of three principal areas: an overworld in which movement is multidirectional, allowing the player some degree of freedom of action ; areas of interaction with other characters ( merely caves or hidden rooms in the first game, but expanding to entire towns and cities in subsequent games ) in which the player gains special items or advice ; and dungeons, areas of labyrinthine layout, usually underground, comprising a wide range of difficult enemies, bosses, and items.

Each dungeon usually has one major item inside, which is usually essential for solving many of the puzzles in that dungeon and often plays a crucial role in defeating that dungeon's boss as well as progressing through the game.

In nearly every Zelda game, navigating a dungeon is aided by locating a map, which reveals its layout, and a magic compass, which reveals the location of significant items.

In later games, the series also included a special ' boss key ', that would unlock the door to battle the dungeon's boss enemy.