Zelda franchise strategy guide/Locations/Spectacle Rock

In the video game series The Legend of Zelda, Spectacle Rock is a famous rock formation recurring in several of the series' games that bears distinct resemblance to a pair of eyeglasses. It takes the form of twin buttes, which may or may not be connected by an isthmian bridge, and is often arranged horizontally from the player's perspective. There are usually caves or secret entrances built into its structure. It is usually found in Hyrule in or near mountain ranges or high elevation areas, which themselves are commonly composed of brown, rocky terrain, and is most commonly associated with the many manifestations of Death Mountain.

The Legend of Zelda

In the original The Legend of Zelda, Spectacle Rock was the location of Ganon's lair in the first quest, found by bombing an entrance in the western rock.

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Spectacle Rock in The Legend of Zelda.

The Adventure of Link

In Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, Spectacle Rock was found in the southwestern region of Hyrule. Using the Hammer on the eastern rock reveals a secret cave, in which a magic container lies.

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Spectacle Rock in The Adventure of Link.

A Link to the Past

In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, this rock is situated at the top of Death Mountain in the Light World, as an obstacle in the path to the Tower of Hera. It is conspicuously absent in the Dark World reflection of Death Mountain, though its footprint is clearly visible. To get beyond Spectacle Rock to the higher ground above, the player must first travel to the Dark World and stand where its footprint remains. When the player looks into the Magic Mirror, he finds himself back in the Light World, standing atop Spectacle Rock. A cave entrance located in the bridge of the glasses leads down the mountain.

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Spectacle Rock in A Link to the Past.

Link's Awakening

Although the setting of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is the imaginary Koholint Island, it is possible that a certain mountain formation in the Tal Tal Mountain Range acts a tribute to Spectacle Rock, which is not farfetched considering the game's referential nature. Between Mt. Tamaranch and Turtle Rock, this structure mimicks Spectacle Rock in both appearance and function — as in A Link to the Past, a cavern in the middle of the rock grants access to higher elevations of the mount from the blocked entrance at its foot.

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This formation in Link's Awakening could be a reference to Spectacle Rock.

Ocarina of Time

In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Spectacle Rock was located inside Death Mountain Crater in front of the entrance to the Fire Temple. Its appearance was more conic or heaped, and a Piece of Heart rested on top of one of the rocks. Volcanic smoke billowed out of the tips of each rock, though there were no natural chimney stacks visible at the peaks. It is evident from its structure and that of the Fire Temple that the upper floors of the Fire Temple extend into the interior of these two mounds.

Majora's Mask

In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Spectacle Rock is most notably present as the path between the Mountain Village and Goron Village in the northern Snowhead region of Termina, where the entrance to the Goron Racetrack is also located. Referred to by the Goron Elder as the Twin Islands, there are actually three islands in this area, though the third is smaller and makes up part of the connection between the two "eyeglasses." While the double igloo structure of the Goron Shrine in Goron Village arguably also resembles Spectacle Rock, the Twin Islands are a more plausible candidate in that they are arranged horizontally on the overworld map and that they have a distinct bridge structure connecting the two main islands.

The Wind Waker

In The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Spectacle Isle is the Great Sea's equivalent to Spectacle Rock after Hyrule has been flooded. Its appearance is understandable in that Hyrule's mountaintops were said to have formed the islands of the Great Sea, and Spectacle Rock was itself one of the higher points of elevation in Hyrule. It topographically appears as two circular stone structures with paths spiraling up their sides and a wooden bridge spanning the gap between them. Atop the eastern structure Link can play a cannon minigame managed by Salvatore. A blue ChuChu also can be found on the beach under the wooden bridge. Spectacle Isle is strangely distant from Dragon Roost Island, which is often believed by fans to be the equivalent to Death Mountain.

Four Swords Adventures

In the Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, there are 2 possible Spectacle Rock locations. One is at the top of Death Mountain, right before the Tower of Flames. This is the area where you fight the Helmaroc King. The other is at the start of Hebra's Hill.

Twilight Princess

In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Spectacle Rock is located at the north most part of the Death Mountain area as two giant sized rocks, visible as a large circle like shape on the map. It is the home of the Gorons and also houses the Goron Mines. Behind Spectacle Rock lies the popular Hot Spring, well visited by Gorons as well as Zoras.