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Zelda Game Timeline: Arranged according to their release dates and chronological order

Exploring the expansive saga of The Legend of Zelda, a narrative that has captivated gamers for decades across numerous titles, may leave one questioning the games' interconnectedness. However, a timeline linking these epic adventures does indeed exist.

List of The Legend of Zelda games, arranged by their release dates and chronological timeline
List of The Legend of Zelda games, arranged by their release dates and chronological timeline

Zelda Game Timeline: Arranged according to their release dates and chronological order

The Legend of Zelda series, a beloved collection of games set in the fantastical realm of Hyrule, has a complex and intricate timeline that branches off from the pivotal game, Ocarina of Time. This timeline, as presented in The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, consists of three main branches: The Unified Timeline, the Fallen Hero Timeline, and the Child Timeline.

The Unified Timeline begins with Skyward Sword, the origin story of Hyrule and the Hero, followed by The Minish Cap, Four Swords, and finally Ocarina of Time, where the timeline splits.

The Fallen Hero Timeline is the result of Link's failure to defeat Ganon in Ocarina of Time, allowing Ganon to claim all three pieces of the Triforce. This timeline includes A Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, A Link Between Worlds, Tri Force Heroes, The Legend of Zelda, and The Adventure of Link. The latest addition to this timeline is The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, scheduled for release in 2024.

The Child Timeline occurs when Link defeats Ganon in Ocarina of Time and is returned to the past as a child. This timeline includes Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, Four Swords Adventures, and the latest instalment, Tears of the Kingdom, scheduled for release in 2023.

The Adult Timeline diverges from the Child Timeline after Link is sent back in time, with no one opposing Ganondorf's rule. This timeline includes The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and the latest game, Breath of the Wild, which was released in 2017. The exact placement of Tears of the Kingdom within this timeline is yet to be determined.

It's important to note that there are several non-canon Zelda games that feature Link, Zelda, Ganon, and the world of Hyrule, but have no place in the timeline. Examples include Hyrule Warriors, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, Zelda's Adventure, The Faces of Evil and The Wand of Gamelon, Link's Crossbow Training, Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland, and Cadence of Hyrule.

This official timeline was published in Hyrule Historia to clarify fan debates and provide an official continuity while allowing creative freedom in game design. The branching reflects different possible outcomes of Ocarina of Time, a key narrative fulcrum in the Zelda franchise.

In summary, the timeline flows: - Skyward Sword → Minish Cap → Four Swords → Ocarina of Time → splits into three: - Fallen Hero Timeline (Link loses) - Child Timeline (Link returns to childhood) - Adult Timeline (Link defeats Ganon but disappears)

Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment are the most recent Zelda games, but their exact placement in the timeline is ambiguous. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, considered canonical, is scheduled for release in 2025 and is placed between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

In the expansive world of Hyrule, the beloved games series The Legend of Zelda offers various branches of storylines, one of them being the Unified Timeline which incorporates entertainment such as Skyward Sword, The Minish Cap, Four Swords, and others.

Moreover, the Fallen Hero Timeline, a result of Link's failure to defeat Ganon, encompasses a range of games that provide intriguing and engaging entertainment, including titles like A Link to the Past, The Adventure of Link, and The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, scheduled for release in 2024.

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