The extra incarnations of Hyrule that Nintendo has created, the warmer the controversy surrounding the Legend of Zelda timeline has develop into. In 2011, that debate was lastly laid to relaxation because of the Hyrule Historia, a guide laying out the official order during which Hyperlink and Zelda’s adventures have been meant to be organized. Then, a number of years later, that timeline was amended. Moreover, extra video games are launched frequently, which warrants extra debate.
There’s nonetheless loads of dialogue available for the very best entry level into the franchise, nonetheless, with so many alternative Zelda video games to select from. Even so, for gamers who like to play a franchise by following its overarching plot, the timeline placement is evident — for essentially the most half. Right here is the official chronological order of each Legend of Zelda title thus far.
Up to date November 2025: Specs of every sport have been added, overlaying info like their North American launch dates and platforms. Two new video games — Echoes of Knowledge and Age of Imprisonment have additionally been launched since this listing was final up to date!
The Timeline Break up, Defined
What many discover complicated in regards to the Zelda timeline is that it splits into three. After the occasions of Ocarina of Time, three issues occur:
1. The Fallen Hero Timeline: The hero (Hyperlink) falls in battle. One timeline continues from right here, following the defeat of the hero and what occurs subsequent.
2. The Baby Timeline: The hero wins in opposition to Ganon, and is shipped again in time to seven years previous to cease Ganondorf’s plot earlier than it may possibly proceed. A timeline carries on from this youthful Hyperlink’s story, after he and Zelda thwart Ganondorf’s plans.
3. The Grownup Timeline: The hero wins in opposition to Ganon. One other timeline continues from this level, following the story of the older model of Hyperlink and Zelda as soon as Ganon is sealed away.
4??? The Calamity: It appears Breath of the Wild takes place on the finish of all three timelines, someway uniting them, although Nintendo has been type of imprecise about it. The official speaking level is that Nintendo won’t ever reveal the sport’s placement within the timeline, as a result of, general, the builders and writers need to depart it as much as fan interpretation.
We’ll go into extra element about every of those timelines, however for now, this is a useful chart for many who choose a visible illustration. Notice: these titles will soar to their respective sections when clicked.
Early Historical past
The franchise begins earlier than the Kingdom of Hyrule is based or the Grasp Sword is even created. Earlier than Skyward Sword, which is the primary entry within the chronology, the story of Hyperlink and Zelda had already begun.
Three goddesses create the world, and depart the Triforce behind, entrusted to the goddess Hylia. After evil demons seem on the earth, Hylia cuts out a chunk of the world and raises it into the sky to guard her individuals. She is unable to make use of the Triforce as a goddess, so she sacrifices her divinity to allow her to make use of the Triforce’s energy. She and her chosen hero then use this energy to seal away the Demon Lord, Demise.
Nonetheless, all three of them (the hero, the now-mortal Hylia, and Demise) are then destined to reincarnate for eternity. The spirits of the three will return time and time once more as Hyperlink, Zelda, and Ganon, respectively.
Skyward Sword
In Skyward Sword, Hyperlink hails from the flying island city of Skyloft the place he is a knight in coaching and childhood finest associates with Zelda. His journey begins when Zelda is spirited away to the Floor by mysterious forces, compelling him to discover the unknown world under.
After the occasions of the sport, it is revealed that Zelda is the reincarnation of the goddess Hylia. She and Hyperlink as soon as once more defeat Demise, who vows to return as an evil energy time and time once more.
Skyward Sword was well-known for its intensive use of movement controls and the prospect to discover the sky world with a flying mount, the Loftwings. The story’s occasions set the stage for generations of battle over the Triforce, whereas contextualizing the cycle that retains Hyperlink, Zelda, and Ganon collectively, together with the historical past of the Grasp Sword.
The Minish Cap
The Minish Cap is the primary sport within the timeline to happen in Hyrule, and was the closest factor to an origin story for Link’s cap earlier than Skyward Sword was launched. The title refers each to a diminutive individuals known as the Minish, in addition to a specific Minish named Ezlo. After being changed into a bird-like cap by the treacherous Vaati, Ezlo groups up with Hyperlink to avoid wasting Hyrule.
The Minish Cap additionally marks the primary chronological look of the recurring 4 Sword, describing its creation and function within the first battle in opposition to Vaati. Notably, The Minish Cap additionally includes a energy known as the “Mild Pressure” which takes the Triforce’s useful function within the story. Whether or not or not the 2 forces are straight associated has but to be confirmed.
4 Swords
The now-monstrous Vaati returns for the next game in the timeline. 4 Swords locations emphasis on the 4 Sword itself and was the primary sport within the collection to introduce the blade. In actual fact, 4 Swords was the primary multiplayer Legend of Zelda entry and required two to 4 gamers to finish. It was later launched as a free single-player title on the DSi and 3DS, albeit solely briefly.
Narratively, 4 Swords contributes little to the Zelda timeline apart from introducing the 4 Sword itself as an idea. At this level within the timeline, Vaati is a beast who’s misplaced most sense of self and the sport itself spends subsequent to no time on cutscenes — specializing in randomly generated dungeons as an alternative. Ultimately, Vaati is sealed away and Zelda is rescued by (the) Hyperlink(s).
Ganon is revealed to be behind lots of the sport’s occasions, however he’s as soon as once more defeated and sealed away by the hero and the princess.
The Timeline Splits
On account of the occasions of Ocarina of Time, the official timeline splits into three, all of which run in alternate realities alongside one another.
Ocarina of Time
Arguably essentially the most well-known entry within the collection, Ocarina of Time holds an important place within the timeline. The story focuses on seven years of the Hero of Time’s life as his childhood is uprooted and future forces him to confront Ganondorf lengthy earlier than he is prepared. Time journey turns into pivotal in thwarting Ganondorf’s conquest of Hyrule, in addition to influencing the way forward for the Zelda timeline.
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On the finish of Ocarina of Time, Princess Zelda divides the timeline by sending Hyperlink again to the previous with out compromising the long run. OoT’s finish credit make clear that these previous and future timelines can coexist, setting the stage for sequels that department from Ocarina’s ending. These timelines are known as The Fallen Hero Timeline, The Baby Timeline, and The Grownup Timeline.
The Fallen Hero Timeline
If the hero falls in battle, Zelda should resort to determined measures. Ganon steals the Triforces of Knowledge and Braveness, and the Seven Sages, together with Zelda, banish Ganon and the Triforce into the Sacred Realm. A struggle breaks out, titled the Imprisoning Struggle, and the Sages should seal entry to the Sacred Realm to stop Ganon’s escape.
Inside, Ganon corrupts the Sacred Realm and turns it into the Darkish World.
A Hyperlink to the Previous
A Link to the Past was notable for introducing the Grasp Sword into the franchise, establishing the formulation for future video games (specifically Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess), and tremendously increasing the collection’ lore.
The NES video games closely characteristic Christian imagery, which A Hyperlink to the Previous exchanges for Hyrule’s polytheistic society whereas additionally establishing the dominion’s creation fable within the handbook.
Hyperlink’s Awakening
Link’s Awakening is a direct sequel to A Hyperlink to the Previous. After defeating Agahnim and Ganon, Hyperlink units sail from Hyrule on a quest to coach himself for future adventures. A storm destroys his ship on his manner residence, and he awakes on the mysterious Koholint Island. Whereas every part appears enterprise as regular at first, Hyperlink quickly learns that his solely manner house is to wake the sleeping Wind Fish — in flip destroying Koholint within the course of.
Hyperlink’s Awakening notably included a unusual roster of enemies referencing enemies and creatures from different Nintendo titles, in addition to its existentialist themes. Marin herself stands out as one of many first really developed characters within the collection, along with her arc setting an necessary precedent for the likes of Zelda/Sheik in Ocarina of Time, Tetra in The Wind Waker, and future companions like Midna and Fi on the whole. Though narratively inconsequential, Hyperlink’s Awakening is the sport the place Zelda began taking its tales critically.
Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages
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The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages Platform(s) Nintendo Recreation Boy Coloration Nintendo Recreation Boy Coloration, 3DS Launched 2001-05-14 2001-05-14 Developer(s) Nintendo, Capcom Capcom, Nintendo Style(s) Motion, Journey Motion-Journey
Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages have been launched concurrently on the finish of the Recreation Boy Coloration’s lifespan. Developed by Capcom, the Oracle duology initially started life as a remake of the unique The Legend of Zelda earlier than striving for one thing extra bold altogether. The Oracle video games are designed to be performed again to again in both order, with gamers in a position to switch their progress from Seasons into Ages and vice versa. Story occasions from the earlier sport are referenced, there’s an additional dungeon, and also you even get to inherit all of your Rings.
Finishing a recent playthrough and linking it into its sister sport triggers the Oracle Linked Recreation, a real online game epic that brings Twinrova into the combination, reintroduces Princess Zelda, and ends with a ultimate battle in opposition to Ganon himself. Whereas the Oracle video games have been initially meant to happen between A Hyperlink to the Previous and Hyperlink’s Awakening, they’ve since been moved to happen after LA (although narratively the intent was clearly to characteristic the identical Hyperlink between ALttP, LA, and the Oracles).
A Hyperlink Between Worlds
Developed as a religious successor to A Hyperlink to the Previous, A Hyperlink Between Worlds takes place lengthy sufficient after its inspiration that the occasions of ALttP and Ocarina of Time have been misremembered as the identical occasion in-universe. The Mild and Darkish World mechanic makes a return, albeit this time in the form of Lorule — a parallel world with its personal historical past and Triforce.
An influence-hungry wizard named Yuga serves because the preliminary antagonist, spurring Hyperlink on a journey into Lorule after Yuga turns the Seven Sages into work, however not all is because it appears. A Hyperlink Between Worlds twists iconic Zelda imagery just like the Triforce and the very nature of the primary characters to inform a narrative that displays on the franchise’s lore with a mature quantity of tact.
Tri Pressure Heroes
Happening a number of years after the occasions of A Hyperlink Between Worlds, Hyperlink travels the world and ultimately stumbles upon the Kingdom of Hytopia. The dominion’s princess, Styla, has been trapped by the witch Woman Maud in a hideous jumpsuit — flying within the face of Hytopia’s ardour for style. Just like the 4 Swords video games, Tri Pressure Heroes was designed with multiplayer in thoughts, however truly includes a correct single-player marketing campaign for a change.
Narratively, the one actual connective tissue between A Hyperlink Between Worlds and Tri Pressure Heroes is a throwaway NPC who acknowledges Hyperlink from the previous sport. It is also price stating that the opposite “Hyperlinks” gamers work together with are simply similar-looking heroes.
Echoes of Knowledge
Nintendo has formally positioned Echoes of Knowledge on the canon timeline, happening after Tri-Pressure Heroes and earlier than the unique The Legend of Zelda title.
On this launch, gamers truly get to see Zelda within the function of protagonist for the primary time. When Hyperlink defeats Ganon, an odd rift seems and swallows the hero. Gamers then take up the adventurer’s mantle as Zelda, who should enterprise throughout the dominion with the assistance of her new good friend Tri and a particular rod known as the Tri Rod.
After lastly discovering and rescuing Hyperlink, Zelda learns that the Ganon she’s been pursuing is definitely an imposter created by Null, a primordial evil entity who captured Hyperlink. Zelda then goes on to restore shrines devoted to Din, Nayru, and Farore (the creation goddesses of Hyrule), who seem to her and clarify that Null existed earlier than actuality did, and consumed life in an effort to be the one being that was.
Apparently, Din, Farore, and Nayru created the universe over the void Null resided in, in an effort to seal him. He then tried to interrupt by means of his imprisonment with the usage of the rifts that appeared and swalled Hyperlink. In fact, in the long run, Zelda defeats Null and all is restored to regular within the kingdom.
Whereas Hyperlink possesses the Triforce of Braveness and Zelda the Triforce of Knowledge, Null holds the Triforce of Energy. After defeating him, the 2 pull the Triforce of Energy from him and unite it into the total Triforce.
The Legend of Zelda
The franchise’s namesake and begin of the collection truly takes place late within the Fallen Hero timeline. Hyrule falls into decline after a Golden Age introduced on by the rediscovery of the Triforce in Echoes of Knowledge. Ganon returns and tries to overcome Hyrule in pursuit of the Triforce of Knowledge, however Zelda shatters it into eight items and scatters them throughout the dominion.
In accordance with the handbook, Hyperlink runs into Impa being attacked by Moblins and, after rescuing her, feels a burning sense of justice upon listening to of Zelda’s plight. Hyrule as depicted is a wasteland in comparison with different video games, and there is a deep sense that Ganon is on the cusp of victory. Whereas the unique Legend of Zelda options little in the way in which of precise plot, its tone and backstory set the stage for the remainder of the franchise.
Zelda II: The Journey of Hyperlink
Roughly three years after The Legend of Zelda, Ganon’s minions plot to carry their grasp again to life by means of a blood sacrifice — Hyperlink’s. In the meantime, the picture of the Triforce seems on the again of Hyperlink’s hand and he learns that he should now discover the misplaced Triforce of Braveness to wake Princess Zelda I, who has been trapped in a magical sleep for years.
The Journey of Hyperlink is significantly darker than its predecessor in idea alone. Hyperlink’s life is in fixed hazard, Princess Zelda is locked in a near-unbreakable coma, and Ganon’s minions have a real bloodlust. Whereas additionally gentle on story, Zelda II brings in a substantial quantity of worldbuilding by means of the introduction of townships (the namesakes for Ocarina of Time’s supporting solid) and historic temples that check Hyperlink’s price.
The Baby Timeline
On this timeline, Hyperlink defeats Ganon on the finish of Ocarina of Time. Then, Zelda sends Hyperlink again in time to seven years earlier, and he is capable of finding her youthful self and warn her of what occurs sooner or later. The 2 foil Ganondorf’s plans and forestall the occasions of the tip of Ocarina of Time.
From right here, Hyperlink’s companion, Navi, departs from him. The occasions following this level are triggered by baby Hyperlink’s quest to seek out Navi.
Majora’s Masks
Set round a yr later, Majora’s Mask is a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time the place Hyperlink unintentionally finds himself on the earth of Termina whereas trying to find Navi. Like Hyperlink’s Awakening, Majora’s Masks‘s story is outlined by its themes — on this case, id and accepting loss.
Best Dungeons In The Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Ranked
These incredible dungeons provided gamers essentially the most in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Masks.
The Ocarina makes a return from OoT, alongside new mechanics involving magical masks, each of which Hyperlink should use to stop Cranium Child from destroying Termina in three days’ time. Majora’s Masks is a deeply grim sport that does not draw back from the inevitability of dying whereas finally reminding audiences that the individuals you like nonetheless care about you even when they should depart.
Twilight Princess
The Baby Timeline’s darker themes persist from Majora’s Masks into Twilight Princess, the subsequent fast sport within the timeline. Presumably set centuries after Ocarina of Time, a brand new incarnation of Hyperlink faces the results of Ganondorf’s banishment after the Hero of Time returned from the long run. Ganondorf is about to be executed, however the Triforce of Energy manifests itself simply in time and Ganon is ready to discover sanctuary within the Twilight Realm.
With the assistance of the disgraced Twilight Princess, fan-favorite Midna, Hyperlink embarks on a Hero’s Journey that has him saving Hyrule piece by piece and slowly inspiring Midna to be a greater individual. Twilight Princess additionally would not get sufficient credit score for the way it twists Zelda’s narrative conventions, resigning Zelda to a aspect function in favor of Midna and fleshing out a God/Servant relationship between Zant and Ganondorf that makes the latter’s eventual demise all of the extra highly effective.
4 Swords Adventures
4 Swords Adventures is the final sport within the Baby Timeline and sees Ganondorf and Vaati lastly crossing paths. Though Vaati is introduced as FSA’s most important antagonist initially, it’s slowly revealed that he’s merely a instrument of Ganondorf. Centuries after the tip of Twilight Princess, Ganondorf is reincarnated into a brand new being and exploits Vaati in his quest for energy.
4 Swords Adventures combines the multiplayer gameplay of the 4 Sword with the dimensional journey of A Hyperlink To The Previous, together with usually that includes extra story beats. Because the final sport within the Baby Timeline, 4 Swords Adventures marks Vaati’s ultimate defeat and Ganondorf II’s sole look within the franchise.
The Grownup Timeline
After Hyperlink defeats Ganon on the finish of Ocarina of Time, Zelda sends Hyperlink again in time to seven years earlier. The Triforce of Braveness then has no hero within the present time, so it splits into eight items and scatters itself round Hyrule.
Princess Zelda stays within the current. Sadly, Zelda’s meant act of kindness has unexpected penalties. The following time Ganon is revived, there isn’t any Spirit of the Hero round to cease him. In flip, the individuals pray to the Gods, who finally select to flood all of Hyrule as an alternative of letting Ganon conquer the dominion.
The Wind Waker
The Nice Flood units the stage for The Wind Waker, the place, centuries later, the world is roofed in water and solely known as The Nice Sea. Hyperlink is notably not a reincarnation of the Hero of Time, however a boy who simply needs to rescue his sister.
Whereas the primary sport within the Grownup Timeline, The Wind Waker appears like a grand finale for the entire collection — washing away Hyrule, the Triforce, and the Grasp Sword so as to pave the way in which towards a brand new future.
Phantom Hourglass
Set instantly after the occasions of The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass sees Hyperlink touring The Nice Sea with pirate/princess Tetra so as to discovered a brand new Hyrule. Phantom Hourglass takes cues from Hyperlink’s Awakening, setting itself in a parallel dimension Hyperlink turns into disconnected from by the tip of the story.
Equally, the main target is much less on the plot itself and extra on the final environment of this alien world. Phantom Hourglass finally quantities to little narratively, however it does at the very least arrange the occasions of Spirit Tracks.
Spirit Tracks
Hyperlink and Tetra achieve hitting land after the occasions of Phantom Hourglass, founding the dominion of New Hyrule within the course of. Round 100 years after Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks offers with New Hyrule’s historic historical past from earlier than it was settled. New Hyrule is thrown into turmoil when Chancellor Cole — one in every of Zelda’s retainers — betrays her so as to revive the demon Malladus. Zelda loses her life within the course of, however she finally ends up accompanying Hyperlink for the remainder of the sport consequently.
Spirit Tracks is among the most original entries within the collection, lending The Legend of Zelda its first style of an industrial age. Story-wise, Spirit Tracks makes it clear that New Hyrule is not only a repeat of its namesake, with the backstory behind the Lokomo, Tower of Spirits, and Spirit Flute all giving the plot a singular taste. Extra importantly, Hyperlink and Zelda’s relationship is arguably essentially the most developed it is ever been.
The Period of Calamity
When Breath of the Wild was launched, it was extraordinarily unclear the place it fell within the established timeline. It has references and main characters and locations that place it into every of the three timelines, which means it would not comfortably fall into any of them. Many felt it was meant to unite all three timelines, converging every actuality into one, the place BotW takes place.
Nonetheless, plainly it is meant to fall into one of many three branches, in keeping with statements from Nintendo. They’ve stated that the Period of Calamity takes place to this point into the long run that the occasions of the previous have pale into obscure fable.
What is evident, although, is that this collection of video games within the franchise’s general canon match collectively as their very own chronological mini-story. How far Nintendo will develop out this remoted, smaller timeline of tales is just not identified, however given their gross sales success, they may seemingly proceed for a while.
Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Calamity
Though not developed straight by Nintendo, the Age of Calamity story was written with the intent of connecting to Breath of the Wild. Age of Calamity was initially marketed as a prequel detailing the occasions of Breath of the Wild’s backstory 100 years prior, however the story correct truly features as one thing of a stealth sequel.
Age of Calamity makes notable use of time journey to concurrently happen earlier than and after the occasions of Breath of the Wild. This does, sadly, imply the precise occasions of Age of Calamity are non-canon to Breath of the Wild, however solely within the sense that AoC is triggered by BotW taking place to start with. Chronologically, Age of Calamity does happen a century earlier than BotW whereas highlighting Hyrule earlier than the Calamity, however the sport is simply a prequel within the loosest sense of the phrase.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment
Like the opposite Hyrule Warriors sport, Age of Calamity, time journey is utilized in a manner that type of makes this sport each a prequel story and a sequel. In it, Zelda travels again in time at the start of Tears of the Kingdom to Hyrule’s founding 1000’s of years earlier, through the age of Rauru, Sonia, and the unique imprisonment of Ganon. After discovering the Demon King under Hyrule fortress, when Hyperlink features Rauru’s powers through his arm, Zelda is transported again in time to this time interval.
Subsequently, this sport takes place earlier than some other within the Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom arc, however it begins in the beginning of of the latter, inserting it between the 2.
Breath of the Wild
Breath of the Wild and its direct sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, will not be formally hooked up to a specific timeline (but). As a substitute, Nintendo has merely clarified that BotW takes place on the finish of a department with out specifying which. For the reason that sport takes place 10,000 years after Ganon’s final look in a technologically superior Hyrule, clues to the timeline are scarce — however not non-existent.
Breath of the Wild truly options essentially the most references to the timeline than some other sport within the collection, straight referencing historic characters like Ruto and Nabooru (one thing very not often executed within the video games). Whereas thematic and aesthetic particulars trace towards every of the timelines, followers can solely use their very own interpretation in the interim. Nintendo has made it clear that the intention is to let followers resolve how they really feel about the place the sport matches, and that does not appear set to vary any time quickly.
Tears of the Kingdom
The long-awaited sequel to Breath of the Wild, named Tears of the Kingdom, launched in 2023. Like its predecessor, it would not match neatly into the sooner timeline. Nonetheless, it is a direct sequel storywise to BotW, happening shortly after the occasions of that sport.
This time round, Hyperlink and Zelda, recent off the defeat of Calamity Ganon, are exploring some ruins and are available throughout the Demon King, who’s being pinned down in place by an odd hand. Instantly, the Demon King wakes up, casting Zelda and Hyperlink right into a pit, earlier than Hyperlink is saved by a mysterious determine who seems to be the ghost of Rauru, the late Zonai and first King of Hyrule.
All through this sport, the participant can study extra in regards to the reconstruction of Hyrule following the occasions of the sport prior. Hudson Development helps construct up the infrastructure throughout the dominion, Zelda helped set up a college in Hateno, and way more. Nonetheless, given the Upheaval — the occasions surrounding the awakening of the Demon King and the looks of Zonai ruins, units, and sky islands — Hyperlink should put apart serving to within the reconstruction of the dominion to seek out Zelda and take down the Demon King.
How Link Has Changed Since the First Legend of Zelda Game
Hyperlink has modified so much because the first Legend of Zelda sport from 1986, by way of each his bodily look and technical gameplay.
