Summary
Kakariko is a staple ofThe Legend of Zelda, appearing in seven mainline installments. It’s central to the plot ofTears of the Kingdomand is, of course, typically home to thelegendaryZeldacharacter, Impa. It’s often a place of refuge for Link in his relentless quests, but on occasion, it can be just as dangerous as the open Hyrule fields.
As one of the most recognizable andbeloved locationsinZeldahistory, Kakariko has gone through a surprising number of transformations and troubles. Past its more recent ring ruin dilemma, the village has seen all manner of dangers and darkness but has nonetheless remained a place Link can eventually rely on for safety. Looking at the different iterations, it’s safe to say some are better than others based on how much of a role they play in Link’s quest, as well as how well-designed the village itself is.
Four Swords Adventuresis Kakariko Village’s third appearance in the franchise. It’s the second stage of “The Dark World,” and the village has been overrun by thieves who have set it ablaze and are generally terrorizing the villagers.Four Swords Adventuresis a top-down game akin to the classicZeldatitles, and due to the events taking place, the town isn’t as fleshed out as some newer iterations.
However, this version of Kakariko Village isstill filled with funNPC interactions and strategies that require Link to locate the thieves and carry them to a pen to stop their evildoing. The village doesn’t play a particularly significant role in the game but rather acts as its own satisfying level in Link’s quest.
A Link Between Worldsis a spiritual successor toA Link to the Pastand sees Link travel a very similar map. InA Link Between Worlds, Link can make himself 2D and sidle into rifts to travel between Hyrule, andits “evil” counterpart, Lorule. Kakariko Village appears in Hyrule, but its Lorule version is called Thieves Town - a callback toFour Swords Adventures’Kakariko Village being overrun by thieves, as well asA Link to the Past’sVillage of Outcasts.
Compared toFour Swords Adventures, there’s a bit more going on. It’s home to all sorts of merchants and quirky characters with side quests for Link. However, in the scheme of things, Thieves Town is more central to the plot than Kakariko Village. It just doesn’t have the same level of world-building that newer versions have seen, but nonetheless functions perfectly in the context of the game.
A Link to the Pastis Kakariko Village’s very first appearance, meaning it’s the blueprint for every version that’s been created since.A Link to the PastandA Link Between Worldsshare a largely similar map, so both Kakariko Villages are very much alike.A Link to the Pastalso includes a Light and Dark World version of Kakariko Village, the latter of which is named the Village of Outcasts.
This makes it difficult to decide which iteration of Kakariko Village is actually better than the other. However,A Link to the Past’sversion is a little more informative and charming. A lot of the villagers will tell Link important information, and there are even cute side quests that connect the Light and Dark World. For example, a frog can be found south of the Village of Outcasts that, when returned to the Light World, will transform into the Blacksmith’s Brother. Little details like this makeA Link to the Past’s Kakariko stand out a little more.
InTwilight Princess, Kakariko Village is one of the most central locations in both the narrative and world-building. A lot of important events take place there, and it introduces notable residents like Renado, Luda, and Barnes. Unlike most of Kakariko’s iterations, inTwilight Princessit isnot a pleasantor safe place for Link.
Compared to many other versions, this Kakariko Village is plot-heavy and more expansive, providing a lot of much-needed items and information. It’s where Telma takes Ralis to save his life and is home to the graveyard where Link will receive the Zora Armor. In general,Twilight Princess’village has a lot more lore and detail, and the Hidden Village is even thought to be the original Kakariko Village.
Ocarina of Timeis indisputably home to one of the best iterations of Kakariko Village. Not only is the village broad and fleshed out, but it’s flush with lore and detail that make it incredibly vivid. As always, it’s the place where Link can retrieve many important items and pieces of information, but this time it’s home to the Sheikah and their vast history.
It’s the first place Impa tells Link to go to gain information and is a place of refuge for those who have lost their homes - like the many denizens of Clock Town after the seven-year time jump.Ocarina of Timeis Kakariko’s second-ever appearance, and the game takes tremendous leaps in developing it to be a busy and resourceful place, full of fun and complex quests and information.
This version of Kakariko is also relevant to a lot ofpopularZeldacharacters, including Impa and Zelda-disguised-as-Sheik. For a second try,Ocarina of Time’sversion of Kakariko Village is easily one of the most memorable.
Breath of the Wild’sKakariko Village is very clearly the culmination of decades of work and lore, resulting in a captivating town full of distinct villagers and charming details. Although changed by fallen ruins,Tears of the Kingdom’siteration is essentially the same map, especially since the latter is a direct sequel, so the two have been included together.
This version of Kakariko Village is a perfectly executed vision that draws on previous versions and combines them to make a vision of small-town life and careful living. Every house has new and exciting NPC interactions, as well as a plethora of side quests. Additionally, the architecture commits to Sheikah origins, leaning towards historical Japanese buildings. It is once again the first place Link is sent for information, and Impa has finally taken her place as the wise village elder.
In some ways, this version very much feels like a spiritual successor toOcarina of Time’stake, which, with modern graphics and design, has been elevated toa work of art. The village truly feels as if it’s bustling with life, tradition, and care, and is worthy of being labeled the best iteration so far.
MORE:Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom - Best Things To Do Other Than The Main Story
