WhileThe Legend of Zeldais one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises, its timeline remains one of the series' most infamous aspects. The multiple timeline branches and confusing placements of certain titles have arguably resulted in more questions than answers. While it is certainly confusing,Nintendo’s desire for eachZeldagame to deliver its own distinct experiencemeans that the accuracy of the series timeline is rarely a priority for the developers.
Although theZeldatimeline falters in terms of accuracy, it has the huge benefit of providing valuable insight into the shared attributes between multiple beloved titles.Branches of theZeldatimeline tend to be defined by certain characteristicsthat can be found within the games occupying said branch, ranging across aspects like tone, setting, or narrative. With this in mind, a closer look into theZeldatimeline shows one period that Nintendo favors the most, which may be preventing the franchise from offering a greater variety of creative experiences for the player.
Many Zelda Games Take Place During The Hero Is Defeated Timeline
Games Set During This Period Share Many Similarities
As shown onthe officialLegend of Zeldawebsite, manyZeldagames take place in the Hero is Defeated timeline, including the likes ofLink’s AwakeningandA Link Between Worlds. As one of three branches created following the events ofOcarina of Time, the Hero is Defeated timeline follows a scenario in which the Hero of Time is defeated by Ganondorf.It is the most populated branch within theZeldatimeline, with a current total of eight games, which far exceeds the six games shared between both of the other branches.
ManyZeldatitles are set before the events ofOcarina of Time, includingSkyward SwordandThe Minish Cap. These titles are under one united timeline, and depict the origins of Hyrule and the Triforce.
As these games are set within the same time period, they tend to share a lot of the same characteristics. For example, many of theZeldatitles within this branch feature similardesigns for many charactersand enemies, from the Bokoblins to Ganon himself,while the games set within Hyrule favor a similar layout of the kingdom, with certain locations remaining in the same place. Furthermore, the games in the Hero is Defeated timeline often share the same uplifting, inspiring tone that encourages the player to head out and explore.
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It makes sense that so manyZeldatitles are placed within the Hero is Defeated timeline. This particular time period is home to some of the most iconic and beloved aspects of the series, whether that be its character designs or grand atmosphere. Even if aZeldaentry in the Hero is Defeated timeline doesn’t take place in Hyrule,its adoption of the period’s most well-known characteristics gives the game this instant recognizability, helping to broaden the title’s overall appeal.
Each Zelda Timeline Branch Offers Something Unique
The Alternate Timelines Differ In Atmosphere And Narrative
While the Hero is Defeated timeline is a beloved aspect of theZeldaseries' overall history, Nintendo’s over-reliance on this period has resulted in the series missing out on the potential offered by the alternate timelines.Each branch created followingOcarina of Timeis wildly different from the others in terms of tone and design, with the two Hero is Triumphant timelines diverting much further from certain iconic staples. While games set within these alternate periods may lose that recognizability, they give players a lot of variety in the kind of adventures they can experience.
These alternate timeline branches are often home to some of theZeldaseries' most unique titles. For example, the timeline that follows Child Link after his victory against Ganondorf includes titlessuch asMajora’s MaskandTwilight Princess, both of which adopt a darker and more somber tone than what is typically seen within theZeldaseries. Both games' use of a more mature narrative and unsettling atmosphere create a sense of despair and forebodingthat’s unlike any other experience offered by aZeldatitle before or since.
The titles set within the period can’t offer the same kind of experience as a game likeMajora’s Mask.
TheZeldagames that take place in these alternate timelines are proof of the levels of creativity that the series has to offer. However, Nintendo’s tendency to stick with the Hero is Defeated timeline has resulted in a myriad ofZeldagames that, while often setting themselves apart with distinct gameplay mechanics,have this sense of familiarity in their presentation that prevents them from standing out. As iconic as the Hero is Defeated timeline may be, the titles set within the period can’t offer the same kind of experience as a game likeMajora’s Mask.
Future Zelda Games Should Take Place During Different Time Periods
Giving The Series A Greater Sense Of Variety
It’s clear thatfutureZeldagames will benefitfrom being placed during different periods within the series timeline. Whether that lies in one of the Hero is Triumphant branches or in the united timeline prior to the events ofOcarina of Time,these different periods have their own distinct tone and atmosphere that perfectly demonstrates the malleability of theZeldaseries overall. Sharing futureZeldagames across these periods would allow these titles to take a different direction, creating a multitude of original entries for players to experience.
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FutureZeldagames may benefit from establishing entirely new time periods to give them a unique identity. This is most evident withBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, whose separation from the rest of theZeldatimeline allowed the titles to create their own context from the ground up while providing a slower, more tranquil adventure than what the series had previously offered. By having that blank slate,futureZeldatitles would be able to craft a completely unfamiliar experience for the player, breaking out of the confines of a specific time period.
Due to multiple contradictory reports and statements, it’s currently unclear how eitherBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomfit into theZeldatimeline, if at all. A display at a Nintendo Live event in 2024 depicted bothBOTWandTOTKas being completely separate from the rest of the series, while both games are missing from theZeldawebsite’s timeline.
Only time will tell how futureZeldatitles will fit into the series timeline. That being said, it’s clear that the timeline’s multiple branches aren’t simply a case of attempting to connectZeldagames coherently but serve as a showcase of the many different kinds of adventures that the series has to offer.Nintendo should take advantage of the potential that these other timeline branches offerto give a greater sense of variety toThe Legend of Zeldaoverall, maintaining that sense of creativity that makes the franchise so beloved.
