Zelda Timeline

Legend of Zelda Timeline theory is perhaps the object of greatest debate amongst fans of the series. Nintendo's unconventional formula of "Gameplay first, Story Later" has arguably produced some of the greatest games of all time, but it has also resulted in an incoherent chronology - full of loose ends, contradictions, and general confusion. Fortunately, this has motivated fans to do all they can to sift, sort, and organize the Legend of Zelda canon.

Overview
Since the days of Pong, videogame storylines have endured an amazing evolution, moving from simple "slay the dragon" conflict, through "save the princess" heroism, and into wonderfully deep epics. Early installments of the Legend of Zelda series emerged at a very interesting point of this process; a point where the market was divided between casual platformers and plot-focused RPGs.

Zelda found a niche market somewhere in the middle. This is reflected in the storyline of such games as The Adventure of Link and A Link to the Past, which are simple and yet inspiring. Over the years, Nintendo has kept to this trend. Developers often focus foremost on gameplay and theme, and generally only decide on a definite storyline close to the completion of development. Resulting games are well-connected to the overall Legend of Zelda universe - and consider elements of games past - but do not often present immediate or obvious chronological connections.

In the early stages, this worked wonderfully. The first five Legend of Zelda releases were easily understood and organized. In 1998, the timeline had room even for the content of the Legend of Zelda television show and manga, as well as the mistakes of NoA, which would later be considered non-canonical.

Unfortunately, as time went on the sheer amount of information being introduced into the Legend of Zelda canon made a complete understanding less possible. Games such as The Wind Waker and Four Swords Adventures seemed to strain the connection between older games, and many fans began to wonder whether the Four Swords series had a place in the timeline at all.

English fans of the series wanting to learn more of the timeline began to discuss the concept on the Internet, slowly reaching conclusions on those issues which could be resolved and falling into bitter debate on those which could not. They continue to argue, as they eagerly await the release of Phantom Hourglass.

Timeline Principles
Timeline theory is often accused of being a collection of irrelevant fan-fiction with no real truth to it. In actuality, a large part of our timeline knowledge is strictly canon; a good deal more consists of simple, well supported inferences based on this canon and the intentions of Zelda's creators. These principles are held to be true by almost all Timeline theorists. We can combine all this information and conceive five timeline "arcs"


 * OoT - TWW/PH
 * TMC - FS/FSA
 * ALttP/LA - LoZ/AoL
 * OoS/OoA
 * OoT/MM - TP

Beyond that, all timeline theory is an attempt to combine these arcs and achieve a final chronology.

Timeline Display
In order to save space and typing time, fans discussing the broader timeline issues developed a system by which to convey theorised game placements in as little text as possible. Understanding this shorthand is pivotal to understanding timeline jargon.

Terms include:

Abbreviations
 * LoZ: Legend of Zelda (Game)


 * AoL: Adventure of Link


 * AlttP: A Link to the Past


 * LA: Link's Awakening


 * KnS: Kodai no Sekiban


 * AST: Kodai no Sekiban (anglicism)


 * OOT: Ocarina of Time


 * MM: Majora's Mask


 * OoA: Oracle of Ages


 * OoS: Oracle of Seasons


 * OoX: The Oracle Series


 * FS: Abreviation for Four Swords


 * tWW: The Wind Waker


 * FSA: Four Swords Adventures


 * TMC: The Minish Cap


 * TP: Twilight Princess


 * PH: Phantom Hourglass


 * BS: "Backstory"


 * SZ: Sleeping Zelda (AoL)


 * IW: Imprisoning War (AlttP)

Other Indicators
 * X/Y: Indicates Game X and Game Y have a common Link


 * X - Y: Indicates Game X and Game Y are seperated by atleast a generation


 * (X) - Y - (X): Indicates that Game X may be placed in either of two locations

A Glossary of Timeline-Related Terms
Over the course of the timeline debate, a plethora of terminology has surfaced to describe various facets of the games and the course of events through which they flow. Below are some of those terms, described in detail for the timeline layman:

Adult Timeline

The “Adult Timeline” is one of the two timelines originating from OOT. The Adult Timeline is the timeline that continues after the ending of OoT in which Link defeats Ganon as an adult, and includes TWW and its sequel, PH.

Backstory

“Backstory” consists of events referred to in a given game, but not actually witnessed in that game. Backstory is very important when determining timeline placement, because often backstories reference events from past titles. An example of a backstory would be the SW/IW with respect to ALttP, or the “Fierce War” with respect to OoT.

Canon

“Canon” is the collective set of indisputable facts throughout the LOZ series. Through canon, timeline theorists can gather information with which to make assumptions or look at evidence to interpret in the hopes of creating a coherent timeline theory. The acceptable foundations of canon are called “Canonical Sources”. While the extent to which sources can be considered canonical varies among theorists, most theorists have accepted the following sources as canonical ones: “Story Text” within the official titles themselves, instruction manual story text, and, in the eyes of many—nay, most—“Creator Quotes”.

Canonical Sources

See “Canon”.

Child Timeline

The “Child Timeline” is one of the two timelines originating from OOT. The Child Timeline is the timeline that starts at the ending of OoT in which Link is a child, and that includes MM and TP.

Creator Intent

See “Creator Quotes”.

Creator Quotes

“Creator Quotes” are statements made by the developers of the games about the storyline of the LOZ series that are released to the press. Infamous creator quotes include the “Two Endings” quotes and the “First Story” quote, and, more recently, the "Parallel" quote. The most common sources of such quotes are Eiji Aonuma and Shigeru Miyamoto, the two chief producers and directors of the LOZ series. Typically creator quotes stand as “Canon” unless there is a compelling argument made to disregard them, but theorists are encouraged to determine whether the developers are a good source of information for themselves.

Direct Sequel

A “Direct Sequel”, in the context of the LOZ series, goes beyond simply being the next game in the series timeline. A direct sequel features the same Link character from the previous installment. An example of a direct sequel is MM, which features Link from OoT.

Double Timeline

See “Multiple Timeline” or “Split Timeline”.

False Negative

The “False Negative” is an ontological situation in which the “Lack-of-Evidence Argument” is used to define something, or rather, the lack of evidence for something, as a “negative”, or the nonexistence of said thing. A False Negative argument states that a lack of objective evidence does not constitute nonexistence, or, to put it another way, that a negative cannot be proven. Just because we do not know whether something did or did not happen does not discredit it from having happened at all.

Fierce War

OoT references a “fierce war in our world” that occurred before the king unified the country of Hyrule. During this war, Link was orphaned on the outskirts of the Lost Woods, resulting in his adoption by the Deku Tree as a Kokiri. OoT also implies that the Sheikah were thought to have died out during this war.

TP also references a “great battle” that erupted when word of the SR spread throughout Hyrule. The great battle is called the “prolonged wars” later, during which the Sheikah are also referenced as having been thought to have died out. Because of these similarities, for the purposes of this glossary, the two shall be thought of as one and the same.

Great Flood

The “Great Flood” is a term adopted by timeline theorists to describe the TWW BS, in which the kingdom of Hyrule is flooded by the gods in order to prevent Ganon from conquering it.

Hero of Men

While never specifically conferred as a title, “Hero of Men” is commonly used to refer to the hero in the TMC BS.

Hero of Time

The “Hero of Time” is the heroic title first mentioned in OoT, later referenced in TWW’s BS. In recent months, with TP’s release, a controversy erupted as to what exactly it means to be the HoT. Is the title limited to just OoT Link, or can it be extended to others as well?

Hero of Winds

“Hero of Winds” is the title given to TWW Link by the KoRL after it is discovered that he is, indeed, the true hero, thanks to his ability to assume the ToC into himself and the appearance of its crest on his left hand. It is likely related to his controlling the winds during that game.

Imprisoning War

See “Seal War”.

Lack-of-Evidence Argument

This term may sound familiar to those familiar with theological arguments. The “Lack-of-Evidence Argument” (LEA) is an ontological argument that states that (with respect to timeline debate) if one game leads into another—for example, if Adult OoT leads into TP—then there should be specific, positive, objective proof of that progression. One example of the LEA is a statement by those who place TP in a “Child Timeline”, which says that if TP came after Adult OoT, the HoT would be referenced by name.

When brought into discussion, the LEA is typically met with a counter-argument, the “False Negative” rebuttal.

Multiple Timeline

Not to be confused with a “Split Timeline”, a “Multiple Timeline” is a timeline theory that features two or more timelines with absolutely no relation to one another. Multiple Timeline theories that feature only two timelines are often called “Double Timelines”. Many theorists place the Four Swords Saga in its own timeline, believing that those games are irreconcilable with the other titles. Some Double Timelines break up the series into one timeline for the 2D installments and another for the 3D ones.

Prolonged Wars

See “Fierce War”.

Seal War

The “Seal War” (usually called the “Imprisoning War” by timeline newbies; often abbreviated “SW”)) is a tale that originated in the ALttP BS. It tells of a war that began because the evil thief Ganondorf stole the Triforce from the mystical Sacred Realm. The war ends with Ganon being sealed away by the seven sages.

Single Timeline

A “Single Timeline” is a timeline theory in which there is a single, continuously flowing continuity, unbroken by schisms in time or alternate time realities. STs are sometimes referred to as “Unified Timelines”. A Single Timeline has been rendered all but impossible with recent evidence regarding OOT's relationship to TP.

Sleeping Zelda

The “Sleeping Zelda” story is told in the AoL BS. It relates to us the story of a prince who, when he did not inherit the Triforce in full from his father, as he had expected, approached his sister, Princess Zelda, and confronted her on the issue. When Zelda would not reveal to the prince where the rest of the Triforce was, a wizard cast a sleeping spell on Princess Zelda. The prince was stricken by grief, and so he brought Zelda to the North Castle and ordered that all ladies born into the royal family be named Zelda.

Split Timeline

A “Split Timeline” is a timeline theory in which there are two or more continuities of games, usually resulting from split realities theorized to have been created by time travel. Almost all Split Timelines involve the ending in which Link defeats Ganon leads into one timeline, which follows the storyline of TWW, and the ending in which Link arrives back in the past leads into another, following the storyline of MM and TP.

(NOTE: In some contexts, “Split Timeline” theories are sometimes called “Double Timeline” theories.)

Splitist

A “Splitist” is a timeline theorist who follows the “Split Timeline”.

Story Text

“Story Text” encompasses any item of text in any official LOZ title, or, more narrowly, any text directly related to the main plot of a title’s storyline or that must be encountered in a playthrough of a game that doesn’t involve sequence-breaking. Story text is considered to be canon.

Time and the Timeline
Understanding the Legend's Timeline may require an understanding of the Legend's concept of time itself. Essentially, time is sequence; first, second, third, and fourth. A very basic concept at first glance, but one that takes on a whole new dimension when "fourth" comes between "first" and "second" and stops "third" from ever occurring.

In four games, the precise nature of time has never remained constant. OOT contains at least two very different mechanics, which theorists often find irreconsiable (and down right strange). OoA's mechanics only begin to make sense when one sacrifices logic to storyline completely, and MM's Goddess of Time takes the whole thing to hell by drawing questions of omnipotency into the debate.

Generally, it is not an issue most theorists need worry over, and should only be explored by those with a strangely deep interest in the OOT/MM connection.

Common Points of Debate
Beyond these simple arcs, the amount of helpful canon begins to decrease. At this point, disagreements inevitably arise between various theorists who have naturally formed differing interpretations of the small amount of "truth" they have to work with.

Four Swords Related Arguments
Nintendo went out on a rather interesting tangent when they expanded the multiplayer mini-game featured in 2002's ALttP GBA release. The styles and storylines of the Four Swords games were so different from the conventional Zelda that, at first, many theorists did not accept them as a true part of the storyline. Nintendo has since confirmed their relevance, but the controversy continues.

Many theorists believe that at least one of the three games in the FS trilogy should be placed at the beginning of the timeline, even before Ocarina of Time, while others insist that OoT will always come first. Creator quotes seem to support the former, while small bits of canonical trivia support the latter.

In the end, arguers were again stuck debating principles. What was more important: A developer's quote or contrary canonical evidence?

Hand Held Related Arguments
Non-console Zelda games have never garnered the attention or prestige of their home based cousins. Miyamoto himself has lamented that LA, OoS and OoA lack any grand connection to the timeline as a whole. These games--the Oracles titles, specifically--are not only difficult to place, but also somewhat irrelevant. Still, in the meticulous world of timeline theorists, no detail goes unargued.

It is common for experienced theorist to devoutly insist that LA is, was, and will always be A Link to the Past's first sequel. At the moment, there is no "perfect" place for the Oracles, and most theorists are happy to let it be ambiguously "sometime after ALttP".

OoT/MM Related Arguments
Time travel is a principle element of Fifth Generation Zelda, factoring in 3 of its 4 games. In developing the game mechanics for OoT, MM, and OoA, Nintendo was far more considered with making the mechanics fun and interesting than being scientifically sound (or even consistent).

Attempts to logic out the uncanny mechanics of Time in the Zelda series have been moderately successful, but the various implications of these conclusions have made the OoT/MM connection the most hotly (and most commonly) debated timeline topic.

ALttP/TWW/TP/FSA Related Arguments
Attempting to chart the passage of Ganon through his four very different post-OOT attacks on Hyrule is extremely difficult. The arguments consider everything from the progressions of The Triforce and The Mastersword to the Geography of Hyrule and the memories of its citizens. The true bulk of timeline theory lies in the Ganon conflicts

Popular Timelines
Despite all the hoopla, most Zelda fans only have a passing interest in the timeline. They care not for the endless debates, and wonder only after the final product, or, in this case, products:

Darken Poltergeist's (DP) New Adult Story Theory


 * "Child" Line: (TMC) - OoT/MM - TP - (TMC) - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA - (OoA/OoS) - LoZ/AoL - (OoA/OoS)


 * "Adult" Line: (TMC) - OoT - TWW/PH

The UWM/ASE New Child Story Theory


 * OoT/MM - TP
 * OoT - TWW/PH - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA - OoS/OoA - LoZ/AoL

F-RO Zelda Timeline


 * Timeline "A": TMC - OoT - MM - TP - FS - FSA - ALttP - LA
 * Timeline "B": TMC - OoT - TWW - PH - LoZ - AoL - OoS/OoA

The Triple Continuity Theory
 * OoT - TWW - TP - ALttP - LA - OoS - OoA - LoZ - AoL
 * OoT - MM
 * TMC - FS - FSA

3D/2D Timeline
 * OoT - MM - TP
 * OoT - TWW - PH
 * TMC - FS - FSA - ALttP - LA - OoS - OoA - LoZ - AoL

Jumbie/Arturo (JA) line


 * "Child" Line: (TMC) - OoT/MM - TP - ALttP/(LA)/KnS - OoS/OoA(/LA) - (TMC) - FS/FSA - LoZ-AoL


 * "Adult" Line: TMC - OoT - TWW/PH

Note: These theorists have published a series of articles which can be found at Zelda Legends;

The TripleEspresso9/Impossible II (TEI) Theory


 * "Child" Line: TMC - FS - OoT/MM


 * "Adult" Line: TMC - FS - OoT - TP - TWW/PH - ALttP/LA - OoA/OoS - LoZ/AoL

Note: Revisions pending

The Late-Placed TWW Theory


 * OoT/MM - TP - ALttP/Oracles/LA - TWW/PH - LoZ/AoL''

Note: Revisions pending

Silver Arrow's split / single Ganon theory


 * TMC - OoT/MM - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA/KnS - OoS/OoA - LoZ/AoL/ZG&W


 * TMC - OoT - TP - TWW/PH

Note: Revisions/deletion pending?

"'Slight Logic' Theory"(By JacOak)

"TMC"-"(TP)"-"FS"-"(TP)"-"OoT"/"MM"-"(TP)"-"FSA"-"TWW"/"PH"-"ALttP"/"OoA"+"OoS"/"LA"-"LoZ"/"AoL"

Twilight Princess may go before Ocarina of Time/Majoras' Mask, due to the fact the Ordonians are essentially humans. There are humans in The Minish Cap, but no humans in OoT/MM, and therefore TP may come after TMC and/or FS but BEFORE OoT.

Note: Revisions pending

The United Wise Men's Theory


 * OoT/MM - TP - TWW/PH - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/(KnS)/LA - (OoS/OoA) - LoZ/AoL - (OoS/OoA)

Note: This theory has been determined to be relatively obsolete.

The Literal Legend Theory

This theory posits that the legend of Zelda is literally what it claims to be, a legend. For this reason a timeline is unnecessary. The value is in the lessons imparted to the audience, not in maintaining chronological or internal consistency. One line of evidence supporting this theory is seen in the way many games in the series appear to be re-tellings of the same story. This would reflect the natural evolution that all legends undergo. As the legend of Zelda is passed down from person to person, it changes, it evolves.