Nintendo has kept Breath of the Wild (2017) and Tears of the Kingdom (2026) 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.”
