The Zelda timeline is one of the most fascinating among long-standing gaming franchises. On the one hand, putting them in order can be more perplexing than trying to put together a puzzle with pieces from different sets. Don’t believe us? Just ask one of the angriest nerds out there.
On the other, all of the games follow roughly the same themes yet manage to remain captivating throughout the series’ long history.
Whether the Zelda games are deeply ingrained in your gamer psyche or you’re fresh to the series, our Zelda timeline guide will help you make sense of their tangled web of a storyline.
Connecting the timeline
To best make sense of the Zelda timeline, we need to split it into three main eras:
● Early History
● The Child Timeline
● The Adult Timeline
● The Fallen Hero Timeline
● The Era of Calamity
We initially start with the Early History which lays the groundwork for the story behind two key items in the games: the Master Sword and the Triforce. There are a total of three games attributed to this era.
Following that, we enter the Child Timeline, which kicks off with Ocarina of Time and follows Link as he travels back in time to his childhood. This timeline consists of four titles in the series.
Then, we enter The Adult Timeline which begins with The Wind Waker and follows the events that occur after Link defeats Ganon in the future. This era is explored across three games.
Next, we have the Fallen Hero Timeline, starting from A Link to the Past where we follow the events that occur when Link is defeated in battle. This timeline is the longest as its narrative is told through six games.
Finally, we come to the Era of Calamity, which kicks off with the Warriors-like spinoff, Age of Calamity. As the timeline’s name suggests, this era takes place during a period in Hyrule’s history where a lot of destruction and chaos occurs.
With the upcoming release of Tears of the Kingdom, this period will unravel across a total of three games.
Early History
Skyward Sword
Let’s start at the very beginning with Skyward Sword, which takes place before any of the other games in the series. In this game, we meet Link and Zelda as they try to defeat the evil Demise, who is causing chaos in the world.
This game is pivotal because it introduces the Master Sword, which is a recurring item in later games, and the concept of the Triforce, which will play an important role in the timeline’s later eras.
The Minish Cap
Next up is the Minish Cap, which is a prequel to Four Swords. In this game, Link becomes infused with the power of the Minish, a race of tiny beings, and sets out to save Hyrule from the evil sorcerer Vaati.
The Minish Cap is also significant because it’s the first game to feature the Four Sword, which becomes a recurring item in later games.
Four Swords
Following The Minish Cap is Four Swords, which is a multiplayer game that features four different versions of Link, each on a quest to retrieve fragments of the legendary Four Sword and defeat Vaati once and for all.
Four Swords is unique in that it’s the only game in the series to require multiple players, making it a fun and challenging experience for players looking for a new way to play Zelda.
Child Timeline
Ocarina of Time
The Child Timeline begins with Ocarina of Time, which is a classic game that introduced parallel universes and time-traveling mechanics. In this game, Link travels back and forth between the child and adult timelines to stop the evil sorcerer Ganondorf from taking over the land of Hyrule.
Ocarina of Time is vital to the series (and also a fantastic game) because it sets the stage for the entire Child Timeline and introduces many of the characters and concepts that will be revisited in later games.
Majora’s Mask
Following Ocarina of Time is Majora’s Mask, a direct sequel that takes place in an alternate universe known as Termina. In this game, Link tries to prevent the moon from crashing into the land and destroying everything.
Majora’s Mask is one of the ‘darker’ games in the series and features a time-looping mechanic that requires players to replay certain sections of the game multiple times.
Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess takes place several centuries after the events of Ocarina of Time and follows Link as he tries to save the land of Hyrule from being engulfed by the Twilight Realm.
The game features a unique mechanic where Link can transform into a wolf and introduces Midna, one of the series’ most beloved characters. Twilight Princess introduces many new mechanics and features that would become staples in later games.
Four Swords Adventures
Four Swords Adventures takes place after The Minish Cap and is a direct sequel to Four Swords. The game features a similar gameplay style to its predecessor and follows four different versions of Link as they team up to defeat the evil sorcerer Vaati.
Four Swords Adventures is the last game in the Child Timeline and sets the stage for the Adult Timeline.
Adult Timeline
The Wind Waker
The Adult Timeline begins with The Wind Waker, which takes place several centuries after Ocarina of Time and follows a new incarnation of Link as he sets out to rescue his sister from the clutches of the evil sorcerer Ganon.
The game features a unique art style and takes place in a flooded version of Hyrule. The Wind Waker is significant because it introduces many new mechanics and features, including sailing and the use of the Wind Waker to control the wind.
Phantom Hourglass
Phantom Hourglass is a direct sequel to The Wind Waker and takes place several months after the events of that game. In Phantom Hourglass, Link must rescue his friend Tetra from the Ghost Ship using his trusty stylus. The game features many of the same mechanics as The Wind Waker and introduces several new ones, including the use of the DS microphone to blow out candles.
Spirit Tracks
Spirit Tracks takes place several centuries after the events of Phantom Hourglass and follows Link as he teams up with Princess Zelda to stop the evil Chancellor Cole from taking over the land of Hyrule.
The game features a unique mechanic where Link can control a train to travel between different areas. Spirit Tracks introduces many new features and mechanics, including the use of the DS microphone to play a pan flute.
Fallen Hero Timeline
A Link to the Past
The Fallen Hero Timeline begins with A Link to the Past, which is the first game in the series to feature the iconic parallel world mechanic. In A Link to the Past, Link travels between the Light World and the Dark World to rescue the seven maidens and defeat the evil wizard Agahnim.
A Link to the Past is significant because it sets the stage for many of the themes and in later games. It also sets the stage for ‘Hyrule’ (the lighter world) and the ‘Dark World’ which was created when Ganon corrupted the sacred realm.
Link’s Awakening
Link’s Awakening takes place after A Link to the Past and follows Link as he becomes stranded on a mysterious island after his ship is destroyed in a storm.
The game features many iconic characters, including Marin and Tarin, and features a twist ending that leaves players questioning everything. Link’s Awakening is significant because it’s the first game in the series to take place outside of Hyrule and sets the stage for many of the series’ later handheld games.
It was remastered by Nintendo and re-released on Sept. 20, 2019.
Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages
Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are two separate games that take place simultaneously in the same universe. In Ages, Link must travel through time to prevent the evil sorceress Veran from altering the course of history, while in Seasons, Link must stop the evil General Onox from plunging the land into eternal winter.
The games introduce many new features and mechanics, including the use of the Game Boy Color’s unique features to unlock new content.
A Link Between Worlds
A Link Between Worlds takes place after A Link to the Past and features a new mechanic that allows Link to merge with walls and move along them in a 2D space.
The game follows Link as he travels between the Light World and the Dark World to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat the evil sorcerer Yuga. A Link Between Worlds reintroduces many of the mechanics and themes from A Link to the Past and updates them for a modern audience.
Tri Force Heroes
Tri Force Heroes takes place in the same universe as A Link Between Worlds and features a unique multiplayer mechanic. The game follows three heroes as they team up to defeat the evil witch Lady Maud and restore peace to the land of Hytopia.
Tri Force Heroes is one of the few multiplayer games in the series and features a fun and engaging gameplay style that’s perfect for groups of friends.
Era of Calamity
Age of Calamity
The Era of Calamity begins with Age of Calamity, a prequel to Breath of the Wild that takes place 100 years before the events of that game. The game follows the heroes of Hyrule as they battle against the evil Calamity Ganon and his minions.
The game features many of the same gameplay mechanics as Breath of the Wild and serves as a bridge between the earlier games in the series and the modern era.
Age of Calamity originally released on Nov. 20, 2020 for the Nintendo Switch.
Breath of the Wild
Finally, we have Breath of the Wild, which takes place in a post-apocalyptic version of Hyrule where Link must use his wits and resources to save the land from the evil Calamity Ganon. The game features an open-world gameplay style that’s unlike anything else in the series and introduces many new mechanics and features, including weapon durability and cooking.
The open world in Breath of the Wild features incredible art style, different challenges and shrines that want to make you play the game over and over again.
Tears of the Kingdom
The upcoming sequel to Breath of the Wild will be the third entry in the Era of Calamity. Not much is known about the story, beyond that it takes place right after the events of its predecessor and it all kicks off when Zelda and Link discover something dark hidden away under Castle Hyrule.
Tears of the Kingdom is set to release on May 12, 2023. There have even been some rumors that traditional dungeons are coming back to the series and that Zant will return as the villain.
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