Zelda games in their original release order, along with their chronological placement within the series' timeline
The Legend of Zelda series, a beloved franchise spanning decades, has a rich and intricate timeline that connects its various games. The official timeline, as provided by Nintendo, begins with Skyward Sword and continues through The Minish Cap, Four Swords, and Ocarina of Time.
After Ocarina of Time, the timeline splits into three branches, each representing a different outcome of Link's battle against Ganon.
The Branches
- Hero is Defeated Timeline: This branch includes games such as A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening, and the original The Legend of Zelda.
- Child Era Timeline: This timeline follows Majora’s Mask, Twilight Princess, and Four Swords Adventures.
- Adult Era Timeline: This timeline includes Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, and Spirit Tracks.
The Latest Entries
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom (2023) are officially placed at the end of the timeline, after all previous games. Nintendo has not definitively stated to which timeline branch they belong, leaving it open to interpretation.
The Fallen Hero Timeline
A significant branch of the timeline, the Fallen Hero Timeline, results from Link losing to Ganon in Ocarina of Time, allowing Ganon to claim all three pieces of the Triforce. This timeline includes games such as A Link Between Worlds, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Echoes of Wisdom, and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
Recent Releases
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is a recent release considered canonical according to its press kit, which places it between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Other Hyrule Warriors titles are generally considered non-canon.
In summary, the accepted official timeline is as follows:
- Skyward Sword
- The Minish Cap
- Four Swords
- Ocarina of Time
- Branches: a. Hero is Defeated Timeline: A Link to the Past → Link’s Awakening → Oracle of Seasons/Ages → A Link Between Worlds → Tri Force Heroes → The Legend of Zelda → Zelda II: The Adventure of Link b. Child Era Timeline: Majora’s Mask → Twilight Princess → Four Swords Adventures c. Adult Era Timeline: Wind Waker → Phantom Hourglass → Spirit Tracks
- Breath of the Wild (timeline placement ambiguous, but post all previous games)
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom)
- Tears of the Kingdom (set at the very end of the timeline, ambiguous which branch)
This order reflects both the official Nintendo timeline as well as recent clarifications on newer titles, with some ambiguity still present in the placement of the latest games. The Zelda series is considered to have the most complex timeline of any Nintendo franchise. However, for those just starting, it's best to play the games in the order they were released, as that's how most people first experienced them.
In the ever-evolving world of gaming, the Zelda series also embraces technological advancements, with recent additions like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017) and its upcoming sequel Tears of the Kingdom (2023) showcasing immersive open-world gameplay. Meanwhile, the sport ofmbox battling is a recurring element in the series, most notably in Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures. Beyond that, the nature-inspired lifestyle of Hyrule's inhabitants is a constant theme, tying together games like Skyward Sword and The Minish Cap.
