The timeline of The Legend of Zelda is broken into different splits that follow different paths, and those who wish to play the series in chronological order will have to use several consoles to experience them all. The Legend of Zelda franchise’s timeline splits were once the subject of fan theories until a book called Hyrule Historia outlined the timeline. The timeline has since changed in different publications, with new games and differing options shifting things around.
The timeline shenanigans are all linked to the end of Ocarina of Time, as the outcome of the game will determine the future of Hyrule. In one timeline, Link is defeated, leading to the ruined and empty version of Hyrule that is seen in the earliest Legend of Zelda games. The second timeline follows young Link’s adventures in the land of Termina before the realm of shadows starts to overlap with Hyrule. The third timeline involves Ganon returning after Link has been sent in back in time, leading to the flooding of Hyrule, and the eventual founding of the kingdom’s successor. All timelines seem to converge into Breath of the Wild, which begins a new story that continues in its direct sequel Tears of the Kingdom.
The Sky Era To The Hero Of Time
The Legend of Zelda starts at a specific point, and it takes a few games before the timeline split happens. These are the first entries in The Legend of Zelda series chronologically:
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Nintendo Switch has options for three games of this era, with Skyward Sword HD available as a full release and The Minish Cap and Ocarina of Time available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. The addition of Game Boy Advance games to Nintendo Switch Online makes all the difference with The Minish Cap, as the closure of the 3DS and Wii U eShop removed its prior channels for the digital availability. Four Swords is a multiplayer Zelda game for the Game Boy Advance that hasn’t yet appeared in the Nintendo Switch Online library, though a remaster was released for a limited time on Nintendo DSi and 3DS.
The Zelda Timeline Where Link Is Defeated
The Legend of Zelda timeline splits at the end of Ocarina of Time. In “The Hero is Defeated” timeline, as the official Zelda website calls it, Link is killed by Ganon during the final battle of Ocarina of Time, leaving Hyrule vulnerable until a new Link can arrive and purge the realm of evil. The games in this timeline are:
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
- The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
- The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
- The Legend of Zelda
- Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link
The Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo 3DS are the main consoles for this timeline. A subscription to Nintendo Switch Online will grant access to A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda, and The Adventure of Link. The Nintendo Switch received a full remake of Link’s Awakening, with Link’s Awakening DX for the Game Boy Color also available the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. The Oracle games are confirmed Game Boy additions to the Expansion Pack, although neither have yet appeared on the service. Despite the closure of the 3DS eShop, both A Link Between Worlds and Tri Force Heroes can be purchased physically for the system.
The Zelda Timeline Where Link Defeats Ganon
At the end of Ocarina of Time, Link defeats Ganon and Princess Zelda sends him back in time. Thus Link goes on new adventures in the so-called “Child Era” of “The Hero is Triumphant” timeline, some of which are the strangest Legend of Zelda games to date. The games in this timeline are:
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures
Like Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask is available on Nintendo Switch as part of the Expansion Pack. Both games also received enhanced remakes on the Nintendo 3DS. Twilight Princess received an HD remaster on the Wii U that stands a chance of being ported to the Nintendo Switch in the future, with copies of the original game available for both GameCube and Wii. Four Swords Adventures has never been ported, so the only way to play this game is by buying a Nintendo GameCube or a backwards-compatible model of the Wii and a GameCube controller and memory card.
The Zelda Timeline Where Link Succeeds, But Ganon Returns
This timeline branch, the “Adult Era” counterpart to the “Child Era,” is also set in the one where Princess Zelda sent Link back in time after defeating Ganon at the end of Ocarina of Time. In this timeline, Ganon returns, but there is no longer a hero around to stop him. This prompts the three goddesses of Hyrule to flood the realm, in order to stop Ganon from taking over. The games in this timeline are:
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
The ideal system for playing these games is the Nintendo Wii U, as The Wind Waker received an HD remaster on the system, and the other titles were available on its Virtual Console. Players who missed the window of purchase for Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks before the closure of the eShop will need a DS or 3DS to play physical copies. If a Wii U is unavailable, the only way to play The Wind Waker is through a GameCube or backward-compatible Wii.
The Breath Of The Wild & Tears Of The Kingdom Era
Although officially unconfirmed, it would seem all The Legend of Zelda timelines converge into Breath of the Wild, with all previous games treated as the subject of myth and legend. Breath of the Wild is available on the Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo Switch. The game also has a non-canon spin-off on Nintendo Switch, with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity splitting the timeline again. Tears of the Kingdom, available exclusively on the Switch, acts as a direct follow-up to Breath of the Wild and returns to the same Hyrule several years later. For now, Tears of the Kingdom seemingly marks the current endpoint of The Legend of Zelda timeline.
Source: Zelda, Screen Rant/YouTube
