View source for Canonical Analysis and Game Grouping

While timelines are often impressive on their own, evidence provided through studying the seven plot '''Arcs''' and analyzing canonical material can be enough to persuade any theorist to abandon their timeline in favor of yours. While it is true that there are many different timeline inflection points, truly successful timelines stick to creating a chronology based on one, two, three or all four main benchmarks: the status of [[Ganon]], the [[Triforce]], and/or the [[Master Sword]] at the beginning and the end of the game, and the generational significance between "Links". Each generally accepted "arc", for example, ''[[The Legend of Zelda (Game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' and ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|The Adventure of Link]]'', carry one or more of these posits in common. Similar posits of the many arcs are listed below, in detail, with their corresponding sources.

==The Game Plot "Arcs" in Detail==
The cornerstone of timeline knowledge is familiarity with the seven story arcs and their proofs. Some of these connection should be immediately obvious, while others may take some exploration. It must be noted that some arcs, such as LoZ/AoL, take place within a small span of time, while TMC - FS/FSA is a good example of a timeline arc that takes place over an extended period. Because of this, it may be possible to break up some arcs to fit specific timelines - however, it is always important to remember that games that are conjoined with a "/" are experienced by the same Link, and cannot be split.

===SS - OOT===
The first arc provides the backstory as to what will become the Split Timeline of the ''Zelda'' series.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'' begins the arc, outlining the very first Link, the Master Sword, and Hyrule's origins.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'' provides further details as to the rise of the Hero of Time, reclaiming of the Master Sword, and the sealing of Ganon in the [[Sacred Realm]].

===OOT - TWW/PH - ST ===
The second ''Arc'' comprises those games which fill the first four chapters of the "Adult Timeline".
*''Ocarina of Time'', as the Hero of Time's great adventure, begins the arc, and ends with Ganon sealed in the Sacred Realm.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', which further details the fate of [[Hyrule]] after the Hero of Time leaves Hyrule, as well as one instance of Ganon's demise.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]'', promoted as a sequel to ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' and its hero's second adventure.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]'' details events occurring soon after a new Hyrule is founded by the Link and Tetra from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]''.

===OoT/MM - TP===
The third ''Arc'' is the most recently confirmed, and comprises the first three chapters of the "Child Timeline".
*''Ocarina of Time'' begins the arc when Link returns to the past after sealing Ganon away in the future.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'' continues the arc by following Link's adventures after bringing peace back to Hyrule.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'' completes the known games within the arc by closing the door on the threat posed by Ganondorf.

===TMC - FS/FSA===
The fourth ''Arc'' comprises those games which can be directly linked by their representation of [[Vaati]] and the [[Four Sword]]. For this reason, it is often referred to as the "Four Sword Trilogy", and is often removed from the main line entirely.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'', which details the forging of the Four Sword and the origns of Vaati, begins the tale.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords|Four Swords]]'', in which the sword is used to seal Vaati a second time, occurs much later.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'', in which Vaati is finally defeated, completes the arc. Another backstory to Ganon is created in this arc.

===OoS/OoA===
{{Main|Oracle Confusion}}
The fifth ''Arc'' is simply the Oracle Series (and possibly Link's Awakening). ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|Oracle of Seasons]]'' may be standalone, or they could directly connect to Link's Awakening. There is evidence that both games (Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages) can be both the first and last games in the Oracle Series. Often abreviated as "OoX" because there is no way to be sure which game is first and last in the Oracle Series, so it is abbreviated to the one title. Placement of the Oracle titles is widely disputed throughout the community, however, they can be fit into the timeline with some certainty, depending on the location. The Oracles can be left ambiguous as well, along with the entire "Four Swords Trilogy", as they can function as standalone titles.

===ALttP/LA/(KnS)===
The sixth ''Arc'' comprises those games which were released around the time of ''A Link to the Past'', and that can be linked in the manner of most gaming series. Whilst this arc is popular, the ALttP/LA connection is not confirmed.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'', which has alternatively been discribes as the earliest and the last game in the timeline as of its release.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'', its [[Oracle_Confusion#Why must LA be the sequel to AlttP?|intended continuation]], is placed subsequently.
*(''[[BS The Legend of Zelda: The Ancient Stone Tablets]])'' is a sequel to ALttP, which takes place long after the events of that game. AST was never released in North America, and was only available on the [[BS-X Broadcasting System]]. It may or may not be canon, but it was created by the same team the designed ALttP.

===LoZ/AoL===
The seventh ''Arc'' comprises the original 8-bit games.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda (Game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'' gives little background information to place it in the timeline; it ends with Link claiming both Triforces of Power and Wisdom.
*''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|The Adventure of Link]]'', the conclusion of the LoZ storyline, completes the arc. Link reforges the complete Triforce after securing the Triforce of Courage.

==Analysis of Canonical Material==
===Commonly Accepted Postulates===
Through the study of canon and intent, theorists have come to the following conclusions, which they claim to be almost as "true" as the canon itself.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda (Game)|LoZ]]'' and ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|AoL]]'' center on the same Hero.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|ALttP]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|LA]]'' are most commonly believed to be the same hero, but this isn't confirmed in LA itself.
*If taken as part of the Timeline [[BS_The_Legend_of_Zelda:_The_Ancient_Stone_Tablets|KnS]] occurs simultaneously with LA.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|OoT]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|MM]]'' center on the same Hero and precede ''ALttP''/''LA'', as is evidenced by the fact that the events in OoT are referenced as historical in the prologue of ALttP.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|TP]]'' stars the newest Hero, and succeeds ''OoT''.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|OoS]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|OoA]]'' center on the same hero.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|TWW]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|PH]]'' center on the same hero.
*Princess Zelda of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|ST]]'' is directly related to Tetra of PH.
*''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|SS]]'' is the first chronological appearance of the Master Sword.

*There is a war preceding OoT, described again in TP. 
*There is a war that results in the casting of a sages' seal on the Sacred Realm preceding ALttP (which may or may not be represented in OoT). 
*There is a possible battle against Ganon as he seizes the Triforce of Power before LoZ.
*Vaati [presumably] attacks Hyrule again between TMC and FS (meaning FS's backstory may or may not be TMC). 
*The naming tradition of the "Legendary" Zelda of AoL succeeds OoT, and is generally thought to be after ALttP/LA (and may feature the Princess Zelda from either of those games).
*There is a second tradition, evidenced in TWW, which may or may not be related to the first.
*The events which occur during the life of the Hero of Time must be inducted or ignored; they cannot be proven.
*The series is incomplete. There are plot holes which may or may not be covered in future games.
*There has yet to be a complete canonical contradiction within the Zelda universe.

[[Category:Timeline]]