Nintendo's Official Legend Of Zelda Timeline Includes Over 20 Games Since 1986

Imagine a family tree so complicated that it spans centuries, features time travel, and involves a princess who keeps reincarnating. That’s the Official Legend of Zelda Timeline, a sprawling saga of over 20 games that Nintendo finally organized in 2011—and it’s the ultimate binge-read for anyone who loves a good myth. Whether you’ve only played Breath of the Wild or you’re a seasoned hero who remembers the gold cartridge of The Legend of Zelda on NES, this timeline is less a strict history and more a choose-your-own-adventure for the couch.

Three Paths, One Legend

Nintendo’s official Hyrule Historia book splits the timeline into three distinct branches, all stemming from the same childhood quest. After Ocarina of Time, the timeline diverges: the Hero is Defeated, the Hero is Triumphant as a Child, or the Hero is Triumphant as an Adult. This means every game you’ve ever loved is canon, just slotted into its own parallel universe—like Marvel’s multiverse, but with more rupees and fewer capes.

Practical tip: If you’re new to the series, don’t panic. You can start with Breath of the Wild or Twilight Princess and never feel lost. The timeline is a fun treasure map, not a test.

The Defeated Hero: Where Darkness Wins

In one branch, Link loses to Ganon in Ocarina of Time, leading to a dark age that births the classic 2D games. This includes the original The Legend of Zelda (1986) and A Link to the Past (1991)—the games that defined side-scrolling adventure for a generation. Fun fact: The first game’s manual famously states, “It is said that the Triforce can grant any wish,” which is basically the 8-bit equivalent of a genie in a bottle.

Cultural reference: Remember that weird TV show from 1989? The Legend of Zelda cartoon gave us the immortal line, “Well, excuuuuuse me, princess!” It’s so cringey that fans now wear it as a badge of honor.

Zelda Timeline - Zelda Wiki

The Child Hero: Time Rewound

Here, Link warns Hyrule’s royalty as a child, preventing Ganon’s rise and leading to Majora’s Mask (2000) and Twilight Princess (2006). Majora’s Mask is famously the darkest Zelda game, with a three-day time loop that forces Link to relive a moon crashing into the world. Practical tip: If you play it, keep a save file for each day—it’s like having an emotional airbag.

Fun fact: Twilight Princess was originally pitched as a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, but the devs decided to set it 100 years later. The wolf transformation mechanic? That was inspired by a developer’s love for the film The NeverEnding Story.

The Adult Hero: A New Golden Age

In this branch, Link defeats Ganon as an adult and Hyrule floods to stop evil, leading to The Wind Waker (2002) and Phantom Hourglass (2007). The Wind Waker was initially criticized for its cartoon art style, but it’s now beloved for its sailing and expressive characters. Fun fact: The game’s cel-shaded graphics were a deliberate choice to avoid the “realistic” look of competitors, and it paid off—the style ages like fine wine.

Nintendo Reveals Tri Force Heroes’ Placement In The Official Zelda

Cultural reference: The soundtrack includes a track called “Dragon Roost Island,” which sounds like a sea shanty that could score a Wes Anderson film. Try humming it next time you’re stuck in traffic.

Where Does Breath of the Wild Fit?

Nintendo has kept Breath of the Wild (2017) and Tears of the Kingdom (2023) vaguely placed at the end of all timelines, suggesting a unified Hyrule far in the future. It’s a clever move: this lets players enjoy the open-world freedom without worrying about canon contradictions. Practical tip: If you want to explore the timeline in order, start with Skyward Sword (2011)—it’s the chronological beginning, where the Master Sword is forged from a goddess’s blessing.

Fun fact: The Goddess Hylia in Skyward Sword was designed with a blonde aesthetic, a nod to the original 1986 character design. The Zelda team loves their Easter eggs.

Zelda Games Timeline - Infoupdate.org

Tips for Navigating the Timeline Like a Cool Kid

Don’t obsess over order. The timeline is a conversation starter, not homework. If you want a casual playthrough, pick the game with the best vibes: Link’s Awakening (1993) is a dreamy, island-hopping short story that can be finished in a weekend. Or jump into A Link Between Worlds (2013) for a modern take on the classic formula—it’s like visiting a retro diner with updated Wi-Fi.

Cultural reference: The timeline’s official name in Japan is “Taimurain,” which sounds like a fancy coffee order. “I’ll take a large Taimurain with oat milk and a side of Heart Containers.”

Reflection: The Link to Our Daily Lives

Here’s the real takeaway: The Zelda timeline is a metaphor for how we embrace chaos in our own lives. We all have branching paths—career, relationships, the occasional mistake where we accidentally sell a rare item to a beetle-obsessed merchant. The games teach us that every action matters, even if you can’t see the ripple effect for decades. So next time you feel overwhelmed by life’s timeline, remember: you’re the hero, you hold the Master Sword of resilience, and sometimes the best path is the one you haven’t discovered yet. And if all else fails? Just play the ocarina and reset the day.