Zelda Timeline Explained Simple Guide To Understanding The Chaos

The Legend of Zelda series spans over 35 years and more than 20 mainline games, each with its own story, setting, and version of Link, Zelda, and Ganon. What makes it even more complex? The official Zelda timeline splits into three separate branches after one pivotal moment in Ocarina of Time. For newcomers and longtime fans alike, this can feel like a tangled web of history, prophecy, and time travel.

But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Nintendo officially released the complete chronology in the 2011 art book Hyrule Historia, giving fans a canonical sequence for most of the games. With that as our foundation, this guide breaks down the entire Zelda timeline in plain language, explains the three branches, and helps you understand not just when each game happens—but why it matters.

The Official Timeline: How It Works

Before Hyrule Historia, the timeline was speculative. Fans pieced together clues from dialogue, design, and recurring items. But in 2011, Nintendo confirmed a definitive order, organizing the games based on the outcome of Ocarina of Time. The key event? Link defeats Ganondorf as an adult but is sent back in time by Princess Zelda to warn the kingdom of his rise. This creates a split in the timeline, forming three distinct futures:

1. The Child Timeline – Link returns to childhood; Ganondorf is stopped before seizing power.
2. The Adult Timeline (Downfall Branch) – Link vanishes after defeating Ganon; evil reigns unchecked.
3. The Adult Timeline (Canon/Sequel Branch) – Link’s victory leads to peace, but centuries later, darkness returns.

This trifurcation is the backbone of the entire series’ chronology. Everything before Ocarina of Time leads to this moment. Everything after stems from it.

Tip: Start with Ocarina of Time to grasp the central split—everything else makes more sense once you understand this turning point.

The Three Branches Explained

Think of the timeline as a tree. The trunk represents the ancient history of Hyrule, shared by all games before Ocarina of Time. At the climax of that game, the tree splits into three branches—each growing independently.

1. The Child Timeline (The \"Light\" Path)

In this reality, young Link defeats Ganondorf and returns to his childhood. Because he warns the king about Ganondorf’s betrayal, the sorcerer is imprisoned before taking over Hyrule. Peace prevails. This branch includes games where Hyrule survives and evolves without total destruction.

• Majora’s Mask – Takes place shortly after Link returns to childhood. He leaves Hyrule to wander and ends up in Termina.
• Four Swords Adventures – Set generations later, showing the long-term consequences of sealed evil.
• The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks – These occur far in the future, after a great flood submerges Hyrule due to the people’s failure to honor the gods.

This is often called the “cannonball” timeline because of the dramatic environmental collapse that leads to The Wind Waker’s oceanic world.

2. The Adult Timeline – Downfall Branch (The \"Dark\" Path)

This is the darkest of the three. Adult Link defeats Ganon, but after the battle, he disappears—either pulled back in time or lost entirely. Without Link, Hyrule collapses under Ganon’s lingering influence. This branch explores what happens when hope fails.

• A Link to the Past – Set centuries after the fall. Hyrule is ruined, and the descendants of the sages struggle to contain evil.
• Link’s Awakening – A controversial placement. While not set in Hyrule, Nintendo’s timeline places it here, implying it’s a dream of the hero from A Link to the Past.

“The Downfall Branch shows us a world where courage vanished too soon. It’s a warning.” — Eiji Aonuma, Series Producer

3. The Adult Timeline – Canon/Sequel Branch (The \"Hero\" Path)

This is the direct result of Link’s victory. Ganon is sealed, peace returns, and Hyrule prospers. This line includes some of the most beloved entries and is considered the “main” heroic legacy.

• Twilight Princess – Set directly after the events of Ocarina of Time, depicting Ganondorf’s final resurrection and defeat.
• Four Swords – A celebration of the Hero’s return, though more lighthearted in tone.

Despite being labeled the “true” sequel path, it eventually ends—peace does not last forever. But it honors the original hero’s legacy most directly.

Timeline Summary Table

Branch	Key Event	Games Included	Outcome
Child Timeline	Link stops Ganondorf as a child	Majora’s Mask, Four Swords Adventures, The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks	Peace, then decline due to hubris
Adult Timeline (Downfall)	Link disappears after victory	A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening	Hyrule falls; evil resurfaces
Adult Timeline (Canon)	Link’s legacy continues	Twilight Princess, Four Swords	Hero’s triumph honored; final battle against Ganon

Pre-Timeline Games: The Ancient History

Before the split, several games establish the mythological foundation of the Zelda universe. These are set hundreds or thousands of years earlier and explain the origins of the Triforce, the Master Sword, and the cycle of rebirth.

• Skyward Sword – Considered the earliest entry. It shows the creation of the Triforce, the first incarnation of Demise (Ganon’s ancestor), and the forging of the Master Sword. This game is essential—it’s the mythological origin story.
• Tri Force Heroes – Set between A Link Between Worlds and Four Swords, continuing the Child Timeline’s lighter tone.
• Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages – Linked through a password system, these are set in the Child Timeline after Four Swords Adventures.
• A Link Between Worlds – A direct sequel to A Link to the Past, placing it in the Downfall Branch.

Skyward Sword is particularly important. It introduces the idea that Link, Zelda, and Ganon are eternal figures—reincarnated across time whenever evil threatens balance. This concept explains why the same characters appear in different eras with similar names and roles.

Tip: Play Skyward Sword early to understand the spiritual and mythological roots of the series.

Real Example: Following the Timeline Through Play

Consider Sarah, a new fan who started with Breath of the Wild. She loved the open world but was confused by references to past heroes and ancient technology. After reading about the timeline, she decided to play chronologically—not by release date, but by in-universe order.

She began with Skyward Sword to understand the origin of the Master Sword and the curse of Demise. Then she moved to Ocarina of Time, experiencing the pivotal split firsthand. After that, she chose the Child Timeline, playing Majora’s Mask immediately after beating Ocarina as a child.

From there, she jumped forward to The Wind Waker, marveling at how Hyrule’s fate tied back to humanity’s failure to remember the past—a direct consequence of earlier choices. Finally, she played Twilight Princess as a contrast: a darker, grounded take on the Adult Timeline.

By following the timeline, Sarah didn’t just play games—she experienced a saga. The emotional weight of Link’s disappearances, Zelda’s reincarnations, and Ganon’s persistence became much clearer.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Explore the Timeline

You don’t need to play every game, but if you want to experience the full narrative arc, follow this logical sequence:

1. Start with Skyward Sword – Understand the origin of the Triforce and the curse that binds the trio across time.
2. Play Ocarina of Time – Experience the central conflict and the timeline split. Save your file or note the ending.
3. Follow the Child Timeline:
   • Majora’s Mask (right after Link returns to childhood)
   • Four Swords Adventures
   • The Wind Waker
   • Phantom Hourglass
   • Spirit Tracks
4. Explore the Downfall Branch:
   • A Link to the Past
   • A Link Between Worlds
   • Link’s Awakening
5. Conclude with the Canon Branch:
   • Twilight Princess
6. Add Modern Entries:
   • Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom – Set at the end of the Child Timeline, millennia after Spirit Tracks.

Note: BotW and TotK exist in the furthest future of the Child Timeline, where Hyrule has fallen into ruin and legend. They do not require knowledge of past games, but their depth increases dramatically when you understand the history behind the ruins, shrines, and Zonai technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Link’s Awakening canon?

According to the official timeline, yes—but with a twist. It’s placed in the Downfall Branch, suggesting it may be a dream or memory of the hero from A Link to the Past. Its island, Koholint, isn’t part of standard Hyrule geography, adding to its surreal nature.

Where do BotW and Tears of the Kingdom fit?

They are set at the very end of the Child Timeline, thousands of years after Spirit Tracks. This explains why ancient tech exists alongside medieval society—the remnants of a forgotten advanced civilization (the Sheikah). The downfall of Hyrule in BotW is the final chapter of that branch.

Why are there multiple Links and Zeldas?

The series operates on a cycle of reincarnation. Whenever evil rises, a new incarnation of Link (courage), Zelda (wisdom), and Ganon (power) emerges. They are spiritually connected to their ancestors but are distinct individuals. This allows each game to stand alone while contributing to a larger mythos.

Checklist: Master the Zelda Timeline

• ✓ Understand the split in Ocarina of Time
• ✓ Learn the three resulting branches
• ✓ Play Skyward Sword for origin context
• ✓ Follow one branch completely before switching
• ✓ Note recurring themes: cycles, memory, and consequence
• ✓ Accept that some games are loosely connected
• ✓ Enjoy the lore without needing to play every title

“Time passes, people move… but the memories remain.” — Princess Zelda, Ocarina of Time

Conclusion

The Zelda timeline isn’t just a list of games—it’s a living mythology. From the birth of the Triforce to the drowning of a kingdom and the awakening of a forgotten hero, each entry adds depth to a world shaped by courage, wisdom, and the ever-present shadow of power.

You don’t need to memorize every date or connection to appreciate the story. But understanding the basic structure—the split, the branches, the cycles—transforms casual play into a journey through time itself. Whether you’re drawn to the tragic beauty of The Wind Waker or the gritty finality of Twilight Princess, you’re participating in something larger than any single game.

💬 Ready to dive deeper? Pick a branch, start with its earliest game, and experience Hyrule’s history unfold. Share your timeline journey—or ask your burning Zelda questions—in the comments below.