The Legend of Zelda games, from their humble beginnings on the NES to the latest 3D adventures, are undoubtedly some of the best games of all time. What started as a simple adventure about a boy in green rescuing a princess has evolved into a multi-generational series with countless games across Nintendo’s consoles. Whether you prefer the classic 2D titles or the expansive 3D worlds, choosing the best Zelda game is a difficult task. But what’s even more challenging is understanding the intricate Zelda timeline.
After the first two games, it wasn’t clear if the subsequent entries were interconnected. Each game featured different incarnations of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf, with only loose connections, if any. For years, fans worked tirelessly to decipher the timeline, but Nintendo finally shed light on it with the official timeline in the *The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia* book, later converted into a handy wiki. However, new games have been released since then, requiring us to find their place in the existing timeline, or should we say timelines? This is by far the most complex timeline of any Nintendo franchise, so get ready to draw your Master Sword and explore the true Zelda timeline.
All Zelda Games in Release Order
Starting in 1986 (1987 in Japan) with one of the best NES games and showing no signs of stopping, there are countless Zelda games to experience. Playing them in their release order is a great way to start, mirroring how players first encountered them and offering a gradual increase in quality (for the most part). However, we must exclude games that don’t fit into the official timeline, are spin-offs, or are otherwise non-canon (sorry, CDI games). Here’s a list of all major Zelda games in their release order:
1. *The Legend of Zelda* (1987)
2. *Zelda II: The Adventure of Link* (1988)
3. *The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past* (1992)
4. *The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening* (1993)
5. *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* (1998)
6. *The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask* (2000)
7. *The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons* (2001)
8. *The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages* (2001)
9. *The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker* (2003)
10. *The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Aventures* (2004)
11. *The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap* (2004)
12. *The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess* (2006)
13. *The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass* (2007)
14. *The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks* (2009)
15. *The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword* (2011)
16. *The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds* (2013)
17. *The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes* (2015)
18. *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* (2017)
19. *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* (2023)
All Zelda Games in Chronological Order
This is where the real meat of the Zelda franchise comes in. Long before it was official, fans recognized the existence of multiple timelines. And they were right, with three distinct timelines: Child Timeline, Adult Timeline, and Fallen Hero Timeline. Each of these branches off from *Ocarina of Time*, which makes sense as time travel is a central theme in that game.
The timeline starts simply enough, but we’ll pause to explain where each split occurs, why it happens, and then explore each branch individually. We’ll avoid spoiling the events of each game but will have to reveal some aspects of the games where the timelines diverge.
1.
Skyward Sword:
The starting point of the Zelda timeline. It’s the oldest game chronologically, establishing the origin of Hyrule and the legendary Master Sword. This game lays the foundation for all events that follow.2.
The Minish Cap:
This game takes place long before *Ocarina of Time* and introduces the origin of the Four Sword. It explores a time when Hyrule was still young and the relationship between humans and Picori, a race of tiny beings.3.
Four Swords:
This game is a spin-off and doesn’t directly impact the main timeline. However, it introduces the Four Sword, which plays a crucial role in *Ocarina of Time*.4.
Ocarina of Time:
This game marks a major turning point in the timeline. Link travels through time and alters the course of history, creating three potential outcomes that lead to the three main timelines.Child Timeline
This timeline represents the outcome where Link defeats Ganondorf in *Ocarina of Time* and is sent back to the past as a child. He warns Zelda and Hyrule about Ganondorf, preventing his evil plans from coming to fruition. Link then leaves Hyrule, leaving a future where Ganondorf is never a threat.
1.
Ocarina of Time (Child Timeline):
Link defeats Ganondorf and returns to the past.2.
Majora’s Mask:
Link travels to Termina, a parallel world, where he must stop the moon from crashing. This game is connected to the events of *Ocarina of Time* through Link’s experiences and the characters he encounters.3.
Twilight Princess:
This game features a Link who is chosen as a hero to defeat a dark force known as Zant. It focuses on the relationship between the Light Spirits and the Twilight Realm.4.
Four Swords Adventures:
This game is a spin-off that doesn’t directly impact the main timeline. It features the Four Sword and a unique story with multiple Links.Adult Timeline
In this timeline, Link is sent back to the past as an adult after defeating Ganondorf, but he doesn’t warn Zelda or anyone else about the impending threat. He disappears, leaving Hyrule vulnerable to Ganondorf’s rule.
1.
Ocarina of Time (Adult Timeline):
Link defeats Ganondorf but doesn’t warn Zelda or Hyrule, returning to the past as an adult.2.
The Wind Waker:
Set centuries after the events of *Ocarina of Time*, this game features a flooded Hyrule and a young Link on a quest to defeat Ganon. It’s a whimsical and adventurous game that embraces a more cartoonish art style.3.
Phantom Hourglass:
This game takes place after *The Wind Waker*, featuring Link on a journey through a mysterious world filled with ghosts and puzzles. It’s the first Zelda game released for the Nintendo DS and utilizes the touch screen interface.4.
Spirit Tracks:
This game continues the story from *Phantom Hourglass*, with Link venturing into a world where the spirits of the deceased guide him. It incorporates the DS touch screen for unique gameplay mechanics.Fallen Hero Timeline
This is the most intriguing and darker timeline. Here, Link loses to Ganondorf in *Ocarina of Time*, allowing him to claim the Triforce. Zelda and the people of Hyrule manage to trap Ganon and the Triforce within the Sacred Realm before he can conquer the world. This timeline explores a world where evil has triumphed, leaving a lasting impact on Hyrule’s fate.
1.
Ocarina of Time (Fallen Hero Timeline):
Link loses to Ganon and is unable to prevent him from taking the Triforce.2.
A Link to the Past:
Set long after *Ocarina of Time*, this game takes place in a timeline where Ganon has escaped the Sacred Realm and caused chaos in Hyrule. Link must work with Princess Zelda to defeat him once again.3.
Link’s Awakening:
This game is a unique entry in the series, taking place on a mysterious island called Koholint. It features a young Link who is shipwrecked on the island and must find a way to escape.4.
Oracle of Ages:
This game features a young Link who travels through time to prevent a sorceress named Veran from wreaking havoc on the world. It’s a classic Zelda adventure filled with puzzles and dungeons.5.
Oracle of Seasons:
This game features another young Link who is tasked with restoring the seasons of Hyrule after they are stolen by a wicked witch named Onox. It’s another classic Zelda adventure with a focus on environmental puzzles.6.
The Legend of Zelda:
The original NES game. This is where the journey began, featuring a young Link on a quest to rescue Zelda from the clutches of Ganon.7.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link:
This game deviates from the traditional Zelda formula, featuring a more RPG-style adventure. It takes place in a dark and fantastical world, where Link must save Zelda from the clutches of a powerful sorcerer.Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
Now, we come to the two most recent Zelda games. Sadly, Nintendo has once again left their placement ambiguous, but not entirely. In an interview with Famitsu, producer Eiji Aonuma and director Hidemaro Fujibayashi were asked about their position in the timeline. Aunuma stated: “Well, of course, it’s at the very end. But I get what you’re asking, it’s which timeline is it the end of?” Fujibayashi added, “That’s… up to the player’s imagination, isn’t it?”
The most common theories suggest that these games either take place at the end of the Child Timeline or somehow reunite all the timelines into one. However, there is evidence both supporting and contradicting these theories. Until Nintendo clarifies, you’re free to decide where these games fit into the Zelda lore.
The Legend of Zelda’s timeline is a testament to the series’ enduring legacy. It’s a sprawling narrative with multiple timelines, complex characters, and captivating stories that continue to enchant players of all ages. As new games are released, the timeline will continue to evolve, leaving us with more questions and mysteries to unravel.
