The Legend of Zelda’s quasi-anthology format has allowed it to be both inventive and remarkably consistent throughout its decades-long history. As such, key pieces of its iconography have been reinvented time and again, as the franchise experiments with different art styles, tones, and narratives. Indeed, there is rarely one definitive character or location inThe Legend of Zelda.

One particularly unforgettable repeat locale is Kakariko Village, sometimes called Kakariko Town. First appearing inA Link to the Past, this quaint, often pastoral settlement has traditionally served as a more slow-paced, relaxed alternative to the bustling urban environments of Castle Town and other densely populated areas. Any given Kakariko Village is therefore likely to feel cozy and minimal, but these factors don’t preclude its importance to the narrative andworld-building elements ofZeldaas a whole. The best Kakariko Villages manage to capture this small-town feel without being superfluous or underdeveloped in relation to the rest of their respective games.

S-Tier: Zelda’s Most Stunning, Stylish, and Memorable Kakariko Villages

The cream of the crop comes from the two most recent 3DZeldagames. The version ofKakariko Village featured inBreath of the Wildis slightly different from its rendition inTears of the Kingdom, with it being far more tourism-ridden in the latter, for instance, but its core characteristics remain mostly unchanged.

Nestled in a valley in West Necluda, this Kakariko embodies the slow charm of the village that was introduced so many years prior. It is small but dense, lush, and teeming with life. Crucially, it has narrative significance,being the home of Impa, a major character. It also gets extra points for being visually striking, tucked away near the side of a mountain, with a unique architectural style and memorable landmarks like the Goddess Statue. This visual distinction is something that the lesser Kakariko Village incarnations lack.

A-Tier: The Unique and Iconic Kakariko Villages of Zelda

WithTwilight PrincessandOcarina of Timebeing remarkably similar from a tonal and structural standpoint, it’s no surprise that their respective Kakariko Villages are both among the best in the series.Ocarinawas tasked with bringing Kakariko Villageinto the 3D realm, and it did so spectacularly, elegantly capturing the simple beauty of the small hamlet. Its narrative relevance, central location, and bevy of secrets, including an entire dungeon, make it a joy to explore and return to.

The same praise can beapplied toTwilight Princess' Kakariko, which acts as a temporary haven for the children of Ordon Village. The considerable, fundamental changes it undergoes after being cleansed of Twilight make its more wholesome elements, including its colorful cast of friendly faces, far more impactful. And, like the Kakariko ofBOTWandTOTK, it contains a number of unforgettable landmarks, including the Eldin Spring and the thermal baths.

Interestingly enough, both of these Kakariko Village versions are situated at the base of Death Mountain.

B-Tier: Zelda’s Cute, Mediocre Kakariko Villages

Here are the middling renditions of Kakariko Village. Similar to the relationship betweenTears of the KingdomandBreath of the Wild,A Link Between Worldsand aLink to the Pastare narratively linked, taking place in the same timeline. As a result, their versions of Kakariko Village are almost identical, with only a few minor distinctions. But whileBOTWandTOTKhave the benefitof building off the rich pedigree of Kakariko Villages,A Link Between Worldswas the series' first swing at it, and it’s therefore much more barebones than its successors. Plainly put, there’s not a whole lot to do in these towns, and their lack of meaningful visual flair makes them blend together with any number of other rural environments from other games.

Cadence of Hyrule, the third-party spin-off rhythm game, features its own version of Kakariko Village, and while it is a nice homage to the location’s heritage, it’s still among the most minimalist appearances. Its dearth of activities and small scope keep it from sticking in the mind, and although its aesthetic identity is notably more unique and expressive than the other Kakariko Villages in this tier, it’s still not particularly memorable or subversive. To be fair,Cadence of Hyruleis a fundamentally differentZeldaexperience, so its Kakariko Village shouldn’t be held to the same standards as the aforementioned, but it’s still worth noting.

C-Tier: The Blandest Kakariko Villages in Zelda

The twoweakest versions of Kakariko Villagesuffer from the same issues as those in the B-tier: they are relatively barren and lack a unique aesthetic. The town’s appearance inFour Swords Adventuresis perhaps its most nondescript; it would be nearly impossible to identify it as a significant location were it not for its title. It is stripped of notable landmarks and activities, making it a Kakariko Village in name, but not in style or importance.

The Kakariko Village ofEchoes of Wisdomis not as bland, serving as the home of the Slumber Dojo, but very little else. There are precious few inhabitants, landmarks, or events that make it worth revisiting. Much like the other lower-ranked Kakariko Villages,Echoes of Wisdom’s version doesn’t have a strong visual identity, doing very little to stand out from the game’s other rural locations.

It should be noted that none of these locations are, strictly speaking, bad. The design and narrative significance of Kakariko Village is dictated by the broader design goals of the game in which it exists, so a less memorable or important version of the town isn’t always detrimental. Still, when it comes to capturing theessential elements of Kakariko, elements that have been developed over the course of decades, some entries are clearly more successful.