The Zelda series loves to reuse its staple characters, items, and locations, typically because what isn't broken doesn't need to be fixed. Many of the iconic locales in Hyrule are so perfect for what the series needs that they've popped up in several games in different capacities.
One of the most famous and beloved areas in any game is the Lost Woods — a mazelike forest filled with creatures, magic, and confusing paths. Making their first appearance in the original Legend of Zelda, they've been found in many iterations of Hyrule. Here are all the times the Lost Woods have appeared, ranked.
10 Four Swords Adventures
An underrated entry in the Zelda series is Four Swords Adventures, a strange title where Link is split into four pieces and uses this new fractured physical form to solve various puzzles.
What isn't underrated about this game, though, is its iteration of the Lost Woods. They're pretty standard in this version of Hyrule, being confusing and getting the player lost. The Lost Woods in FSA closely resemble their appearance in A Link to the Past, but much more open-concept, which makes them lose something, unfortunately. However, they get some points for the signs that say "Woods" with arrows pointing in every direction. That's an A+ joke.
9 The Legend of Zelda
The first appearance of the Lost Woods was in the first Zelda game, the Legend of Zelda. This game's Lost Woods were basically a block of dead-looking trees with exits on each compass direction of the screen. Exiting via any direction, save for east, will just reset him back to where he was.
There's a specific pattern that will get him through once he buys the intel from an Old Woman. These woods get points for being the first, but they're kind of simple and unexciting.
8 Ocarina of Time
It might be controversial to rank anything from Ocarina of Time anywhere but first place, but its rendition of the Lost Woods just isn't up to snuff compared to many of the other games. Ocarina's version of Lost Woods is cool, of course, but aside from a handful of areas like the Forest Stage, they're basically just green squares with four entrances like the original game.
Ocarina does get bonus points for the classic and iconic soundtrack of the Lost Woods, though, which went on to be one of the most beloved tracks in the series. Also, many might say the Forest Temple is the best in the game.
7 Cadence of Hyrule
Cadence of Hyrule isn't a mainline Zelda game, but is definitely a fun and underrated one. This rhythm-based game requires the player to move Link, Zelda, or Cadence to the beat of the music playing, including attacking enemies, picking things up, and more.
There is a version of the Lost Woods in this iteration of Hyrule. The player will need to notice which enemy is different for a clue on which way to exit the screen, otherwise, their position will be reset. Adding the typical Lost Woods maze to the rhythm-based movement makes this Lost Woods high-stakes and very fun.
6 Majora's Mask
The Lost Woods appear only briefly in Majora's Mask, but they leave a lasting impression. They are only really featured in the beginning of the game, as the setting for the opening. Link is looking for Navi and encounters the Skull Kid wearing Majora's Mask who causes quite a headache for the player.
This rendition of the Lost Woods is haunting, dark, spooky, and full of dark magic. It's exactly what the Lost Woods are meant to embody, and they really live up to the name, considering they're the conduit through which Link finds himself lost in a new land.
5 A Link Between Worlds
Most of the map of Hyrule in A Link Between Worlds is the same as it was in A Link to the Past, as these two games take place in the same version of the kingdom. But, there are some changes, including to the Lost Woods. In A Link Between Worlds, the Lost Woods function more like Ocarina's, forcing the player to choose between four exits inside large logs.
There is a group of Poes that will "guide" Link through, with some of them even attempting to mislead him. It's a fun challenge with a hint of nostalgia, which is also an apt description for this entire game.
4 Spirit Tracks
This version of the Lost Woods is very different from the rest on the list. Here, Link isn't walking and fighting through the woods, but instead, driving a large train through them. Deep inside is the Forest Sanctuary and Forest Temple, so it's an important place to head to.
However, you'll find yourself being sent back out instantly upon entering. The villagers in a nearby town will tell Link that there's a pattern to follow, which can be found by looking at the trees. After reaching the Sanctuary, the woods vanish.
3 Oracle of Seasons
The iteration of Lost Woods that appear in Oracle of Seasons isn't technically the Hyrulean woods, because this game takes place in the foreign land of Holodrum. This land still has its own version of the Lost Woods, though, connecting the northwest section of the map with the Tarm Ruins.
These woods are pretty standard, featuring all the hallmarks of the Lost Woods. But, the ability to swap the seasons using the Rod of Seasons makes them really cool. This is the first way you can see the Lost Woods in autumn, winter, summer, or spring.
2 Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild almost feels like a love letter to all of the Zelda staples, so it's no surprise that the Lost Woods make an appearance, complete with the ability to get hopelessly lost and featuring the Great Deku Tree.
These Lost Woods are fantastic. The music is creepy, the pathfinding strategy is unique (using the direction of the wind, as noted by torches), and the stakes feel high. The jolly and jubilant music of the Korok Forest contained within is a nice change of pace and makes one feel super accomplished when they finally find their way through and see the Master Sword.
1 A Link to the Past
All the versions of the Lost Woods on this list are more or less the same. There's a group of trees with different exits that reset your location when you walk the wrong way. A Link to the Past is completely different, though.
There's no magic warping at play here, it's simply another section of the map. Somehow, it's just as easy to get lost, though. These woods are full of bandits, evil creatures, creepy trees, large bones, and of course, the Master Sword. They may not have the warping power that other Lost Woods iterations have, but they're perfectly designed and fantastic in both the Light World and the Dark World.