Guidelines:Main

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Overview
As The Legend of Zelda series has existed since 1986, the series has explored several different styles and ideas. Zelda Wiki has grown with the series, and so certain guidelines have been implemented to best account for these changes in style in order to preserve a cohesive database of everything Zelda. Many of Zelda Wiki's guidelines are influenced by policy, which is decided by the staff as needed. In order to assist editors with keeping up with changes in policy, a Policy Log is available below. Entries are provided in chronological order, putting the most recent policy changes last.

A complete list of Guidelines is also presented below, as well as the Universal Guidelines, which apply to all pages and inform subsequent guidelines.

Policy Log

See also: Policy Voting Process

2019

Date Policy Notes Affected Guidelines
February 23, 2019 Foreign name citation It was decided that foreign names should be cited in both the Nomenclature sections of articles as well as Translations listings, but only if the name differs from what is present in a given game.  • Guidelines:Terminology
March 1, 2019 Use of Template:Media Guidelines for Template:Media were created to help standardize its usage.  • Guidelines:Articles
 • Template:Media
August 24, 2019 Concept/developmental file categories It was decided that appropriate categories should be made for concept/developmental files for every applicable game. These files should be kept separate from their final build counterparts.  • Guidelines:Files
October 19, 2019 Merging dungeon articles It was decided that dungeon articles that share the same name should be merged together. Turtle Rock is an example of this.
November 23, 2019 Category template It was decided that all applicable categories should be sorted in the {{Categories}} template in addition to the previous "X in Y" categories.  • Guidelines:Categories

List of Guidelines

Media Guidelines

Media guidelines concern games and supporting media.

Guideline
Tears of the Kingdom Guidelines Breath of the Wild Guidelines Encyclopedia Guidelines
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity Guidelines Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch Guidelines

Style Guidelines

Guideline
Animated PNG Guidelines Article Guidelines Boilerplate Guidelines Cameo Guidelines
Canon Guidelines Category Guidelines Code of Conduct File Guidelines
Getting Started Module Guidelines New Game Guidelines Redirect Guidelines
References Guidelines Terminology Guidelines Theory Guidelines Translation Guidelines
Wiki Rules

Template Guidelines

Guideline
Template:Categories Guidelines Template:Media Guidelines Template:Term Guidelines Template:Ref Guidelines

Universal Guidelines

Ordering

Canon Order

The order that is used to sort games in listings where listed media is sorted by chronological release but separated by canon, ambiguously-canon, and/or non-canon is referred to as the "canon order". In the Other Appearances section only, media is further separated by ambiguously-canon and non-canon so they can be sorted under the Ambig and Noncanon templates. In every instance of the canon order, remakes are to be placed directly after their original counterparts regardless of date. Additionally, though they do not receive their own sections, spots in galleries or categories, books within The Goddess Collection trilogy are deemed as intra-canon material and so any content revealed at that time is considered canon over the contents of the media before it. For more information, refer to the canon guidelines.

Canon Media
MediaRelease Date
The Legend of Zelda1987-08-22
The Adventure of Link1988-12-01
A Link to the Past1992-04-13
Link's Awakening1993-08-06
Link's Awakening DX1998-12-15
Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch2019-09-20
Ocarina of Time1998-11-23
Ocarina of Time Master Quest2002-11-28
Ocarina of Time 3D2011-06-19
Majora's Mask2000-10-26
Majora's Mask 3D2015-02-13
Oracle of Seasons2001-05-14
Oracle of Ages2001-05-14
Four Swords2002-12-02
The Wind Waker2003-03-24
The Wind Waker HD2013-09-20
Four Swords Adventures2004-06-07
The Minish Cap2005-01-10
Twilight Princess2006-11-19
Twilight Princess HD2016-03-04
Phantom Hourglass2007-10-01
Spirit Tracks2009-12-07
Skyward Sword2011-11-20
Skyward Sword HD2021-07-16
A Link Between Worlds2013-11-22
Tri Force Heroes2015-10-23
Breath of the Wild2017-03-03
Tears of the Kingdom2023-05-12
Ambiguously-Canon Media
MediaRelease Date
Cadence of Hyrule2019-06-13
Super Mario Maker 22019-06-28
Non-Canon Media
MediaRelease Date
Four Swords Anniversary Edition2011-09-28
The Legend of Zelda (Ran)1986-09-01
Battle of Mirage Castle1986-09-28
The Legend of Zelda (Susumu)
The Legend of the Hero of Hyrule1987-01-01
The Adventure of Link (Ran)1987-01-01
The Legend of Zelda: An Original Version1987-04-10
The Legend of the Dark Triforce1987-05-10
Counterattack from the Darkness1987-07-19
The Adventure of Link (Shigoto)1988-01-01
Zelda (Game & Watch)1989-08-26
The Legend of Zelda TV series1989-09-08
Captain N: The Game Master1989-09-09
The Legend of Zelda (Mishouzaki)1989-09-01
The Legend of Zelda Game Watch1989-10-05
Molblin's Magic Spear1990-02-01
The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)1990-02-01
The Adventure of Link (Mishouzaki)1991-01-01
A Link to the Past (Taguchi)1991-01-01
Super Mario-kun1991-07-27
Kwōku and the Fairy Queen1991-12-01
A Link to the Past (Barcode Battler II)1992-01-01
The Crystal Trap1992-01-01
A Link to the Past (Ishinomori)1992-01-01
The Shadow Prince1992-02-01
The Count of Black Shadows1992-02-05
The Legend of Zelda 4-koma Manga Kingdom1992-05-28
The Legend of Zelda 4-koma Manga Theater1992-06-25
A Link to the Past (Gamebook)1992-07-26
A Link to the Past (Ozaki)1992-09-10
4-koma Land: The Legend of Zelda1993-01-01
Link's Awakening (Fujiaka)1993-06-01
The Faces of Evil1993-10-10
The Wand of Gamelon1993-10-10
Link's Awakening (Cagiva)1994-05-01
A Link to the Past (Cagiva)1995-06-27
Oath of Riruto1995-06-01
BS The Legend of Zelda1995-08-09
Zelda's Adventure1996-05-10
Ancient Stone Tablets1997-03-30
The Legend of Zelda (Gamebook)1997-12-20
Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Power)1998-01-01
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Gag Battle1999-04-10
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Manga Theater1999-04-16
Super Smash Bros.1999-04-26
Link's Awakening DX 4-koma Gag Battle1999-06-10
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Manga Kingdom1999-06-12
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Gag Battle Adventure Compilation1999-08-10
Ocarina of Time Pathways to Adventure1999-11-01
Picross NP Vol. 51999-12-01
Majora's Mask 4-koma Gag Battle2000-07-10
Majora's Mask 4-koma Manga Theater2000-08-18
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Gag Battle Expedition Compilation2001-01-10
Oracle of Seasons/Ages 4-koma Manga Kingdom2001-06-20
Oracle of Seasons 4-koma Gag Battle2001-07-10
Oracle of Ages 4-koma Gag Battle2001-08-10
Super Smash Bros. Melee2001-12-01
Oracle of Seasons (Wessel)2001-12-01
Animal Crossing2002-09-16
Oracle of Ages (Wessel)2003-02-01
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!2003-05-26
A Link to the Past 4-koma Gag Battle2003-07-10
SoulCalibur II2003-08-27
Link's 4-Koma Nautical Logbook2003-10-28
How to Draw The Legend of Zelda2004-02-01
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!2004-04-05
Heroes of Hyrule
Daigasso! Band Brothers2004-12-02
WarioWare: Touched!2005-02-14
WarioWare: Twisted!2005-05-23
Animal Crossing: Wild World2005-12-05
Link and the Portal of Doom2006-01-01
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland2006-09-02
WarioWare: Smooth Moves2007-01-15
Tingle's Balloon Fight DS2007-04-12
Link's Crossbow Training2007-11-19
Super Smash Bros. Brawl2008-03-09
Captain Rainbow2008-08-28
Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)2008-10-08
Animal Crossing: City Folk2008-11-16
Majora's Mask (Himekawa)2009-02-03
Oracle of Seasons (Himekawa)2009-04-07
PiCTOBiTS2009-05-18
Oracle of Ages (Himekawa)2009-06-02
Too Much Tingle Pack2009-06-24
Four Swords (Himekawa)2009-08-04
Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love2009-08-06
The Minish Cap (Himekawa)2009-12-01
A Link to the Past (Himekawa)2010-02-02
WarioWare: D.I.Y.2010-03-28
WarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase2010-03-29
Phantom Hourglass (Himekawa)2010-09-07
StreetPass Mii Plaza2011-03-27
AR Games2011-03-27
Zelda HD Experience2011-06-07
Skyward Sword (Krahulik)2011-11-15
Dynasty Warriors VS2012-04-26
Club Nintendo Picross2012-09-13
Ocarina of Time 3D (Ming)2012-10-27
Scribblenauts Unlimited2012-11-13
Nintendo Land2012-11-18
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition2012-11-18
Skyward Sword (Himekawa)2013-01-29
Animal Crossing: New Leaf2013-06-09
Sonic Lost World2013-10-29
The Misadventures of Link2013-11-01
NES Remix2013-12-18
NES Remix 22014-04-25
Ultimate NES Remix2014-11-07
Mario Kart 82014-05-30
Hyrule Warriors2014-09-26
Hyrule Warriors Legends2016-03-25
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition2018-05-18
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS2014-10-03
Club Nintendo Picross Plus2014-10-09
Bayonetta2014-10-24
Bayonetta 22014-10-24
One Piece: Super Grand Battle! X2014-11-13
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U2014-11-21
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate2015-02-13
Link's Hijinks2015-08-07
Super Mario Maker2015-09-10
Nintendo Badge Arcade2015-11-10
Miitomo2016-03-17
My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess2016-03-31
Monster Hunter Generations2016-07-15
Picross 3D: Round 22016-09-01
Swapdoodle2016-11-17
Defenders of the Triforce2017-01-31
Twilight Princess (Himekawa)2017-03-14
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe2017-04-28
Monster Hunter Stories2017-09-08
Skyrim2017-11-17
WarioWare Gold2018-08-03
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate2018-08-28
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate2018-12-07
Ring Fit Adventure2019-10-01
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity2020-11-20
Vermin2021-11-12
Splatoon 32022-09-09
Pikmin 42023-07-21
WarioWare: Move It!2023-11-03

Release Order

MediaAbbreviationRelease DateStatus
The Legend of Zelda (Susumu)TLoZ (Susumu)Non-canon
Heroes of HyruleHoHNon-canon
The Legend of Zelda (Ran)TLoZ (Ran)1986-09-01Non-canon
Battle of Mirage CastleBoMC1986-09-28Non-canon
The Adventure of Link (Ran)TAoL (Ran)1987-01-01Non-canon
The Legend of the Hero of HyruleTLotHoH1987-01-01Non-canon
The Legend of Zelda: An Original VersionAOV1987-04-10Non-canon
The Legend of the Dark TriforceTLotDT1987-05-10Non-canon
Counterattack from the DarknessCftD1987-07-19Non-canon
The Legend of ZeldaTLoZ1987-08-22Canon
The Adventure of Link (Shigoto)TAoL (Shigoto)1988-01-01Non-canon
The Adventure of LinkTAoL1988-12-01Canon
Zelda (Game & Watch)ZG&W1989-08-26Non-canon
The Legend of Zelda (Mishouzaki)TLoZ (Mishouzaki)1989-09-01Non-canon
The Legend of Zelda TV seriesTLoZ (TV Series)1989-09-08Non-canon
Captain N: The Game MasterCN1989-09-09Non-canon
The Legend of Zelda Game WatchTLoZGW1989-10-05Non-canon
Molblin's Magic SpearMMS1990-02-01Non-canon
The Legend of Zelda (Valiant Comics)TLoZ (Valiant Comics)1990-02-01Non-canon
The Adventure of Link (Mishouzaki)TAoL (Mishouzaki)1991-01-01Non-canon
A Link to the Past (Taguchi)ALttP (Taguchi)1991-01-01Non-canon
Super Mario-kunSuper Mario-kun1991-07-27Non-canon
Kwōku and the Fairy QueenKatFQ1991-12-01Non-canon
The Crystal TrapTCT1992-01-01Non-canon
A Link to the Past (Barcode Battler II)ALttP (BBII)1992-01-01Non-canon
A Link to the Past (Ishinomori)ALttP (Ishinomori)1992-01-01Non-canon
The Shadow PrinceTSP1992-02-01Non-canon
The Count of Black ShadowsTCoBS1992-02-05Non-canon
A Link to the PastALttP1992-04-13Canon
The Legend of Zelda 4-koma Manga KingdomTLoZ4kMK1992-05-28Non-canon
The Legend of Zelda 4-koma Manga TheaterTLoZ4kMT1992-06-25Non-canon
A Link to the Past (Gamebook)ALttP (Gamebook)1992-07-26Non-canon
A Link to the Past (Ozaki)ALttP (Ozaki)1992-09-10Non-canon
4-koma Land: The Legend of Zelda4kLTLoZ1993-01-01Non-canon
Link's Awakening (Fujiaka)LA (Fujiaka)1993-06-01Non-canon
Link's AwakeningLA1993-08-06Canon (superseded by Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
The Wand of GamelonTWoG1993-10-10Non-canon
The Faces of EvilTFoE1993-10-10Non-canon
Link's Awakening (Cagiva)LA (Cagiva)1994-05-01Non-canon
Oath of RirutoOoR1995-06-01Non-canon
A Link to the Past (Cagiva)ALttP (Cagiva)1995-06-27Non-canon
BS The Legend of ZeldaBSTLoZ1995-08-09Non-canon
Zelda's AdventureZA1996-05-10Non-canon
Ancient Stone TabletsAST1997-03-30Non-canon
The Legend of Zelda (Gamebook)TLoZ (Gamebook)1997-12-20Non-canon
Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Power)OoT (Nintendo Power)1998-01-01Non-canon
Ocarina of TimeOoT1998-11-23Canon (superseded by Ocarina of Time 3D)
Link's Awakening DXLADX1998-12-15Canon (superseded by Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch)
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Gag BattleOoT4kGB1999-04-10Non-canon
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Manga TheaterOoT4kMT1999-04-16Non-canon
Super Smash Bros.SSB1999-04-26Non-canon
Link's Awakening DX 4-koma Gag BattleLADX4kGB1999-06-10Non-canon
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Manga KingdomOoT4kMK1999-06-12Non-canon
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Gag Battle Adventure CompilationOoT4kGBAC1999-08-10Non-canon
Ocarina of Time Pathways to AdventureOoTPtA1999-11-01Non-canon
Picross NP Vol. 5Picross NP Vol. 51999-12-01Non-canon
Majora's Mask 4-koma Gag BattleMM4kGB2000-07-10Non-canon
Majora's Mask 4-koma Manga TheaterMM4kMT2000-08-18Non-canon
Majora's MaskMM2000-10-26Canon (superseded by Majora's Mask 3D)
Ocarina of Time 4-koma Gag Battle Expedition CompilationOoT4kGBEC2001-01-10Non-canon
Oracle of AgesOoA2001-05-14Canon
Oracle of SeasonsOoS2001-05-14Canon
Oracle of Seasons/Ages 4-koma Manga KingdomOoS/A4kMK2001-06-20Non-canon
Oracle of Seasons 4-koma Gag BattleOoS4kGB2001-07-10Non-canon
Oracle of Ages 4-koma Gag BattleOoA4kGB2001-08-10Non-canon
Super Smash Bros. MeleeSSBM2001-12-01Non-canon
Oracle of Seasons (Wessel)OoS (Wessel)2001-12-01Non-canon
Animal CrossingAnimal Crossing2002-09-16Non-canon
Ocarina of Time Master QuestOoTMQ2002-11-28Canon (superseded by Ocarina of Time 3D)
Four SwordsFS2002-12-02Canon
Oracle of Ages (Wessel)OoA (Wessel)2003-02-01Non-canon
The Wind WakerTWW2003-03-24Canon (superseded by The Wind Waker HD)
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!2003-05-26Non-canon
A Link to the Past 4-koma Gag BattleALttP4kGB2003-07-10Non-canon
SoulCalibur IISCII2003-08-27Non-canon
Link's 4-Koma Nautical LogbookTWWL4kNL2003-10-28Non-canon
How to Draw The Legend of ZeldaHtDTLoZ2004-02-01Non-canon
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$!2004-04-05Non-canon
Four Swords AdventuresFSA2004-06-07Canon
Daigasso! Band BrothersDaigasso! Band Brothers2004-12-02Non-canon
The Minish CapTMC2005-01-10Canon
WarioWare: Touched!WarioWare: Touched!2005-02-14Non-canon
WarioWare: Twisted!WarioWare: Twisted!2005-05-23Non-canon
Animal Crossing: Wild WorldAnimal Crossing: Wild World2005-12-05Non-canon
Link and the Portal of DoomLatPoD2006-01-01Non-canon
Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy RupeelandFPTRR2006-09-02Non-canon
Twilight PrincessTP2006-11-19Canon (superseded by Twilight Princess HD)
WarioWare: Smooth MovesWarioWare: Smooth Moves2007-01-15Non-canon
Tingle's Balloon Fight DSTBFDS2007-04-12Non-canon
Phantom HourglassPH2007-10-01Canon
Link's Crossbow TrainingLCT2007-11-19Non-canon
Super Smash Bros. BrawlSSBB2008-03-09Non-canon
Captain RainbowCaptain Rainbow2008-08-28Non-canon
Ocarina of Time (Himekawa)OoT (Himekawa)2008-10-08Non-canon
Animal Crossing: City FolkAnimal Crossing: City Folk2008-11-16Non-canon
Majora's Mask (Himekawa)MM (Himekawa)2009-02-03Non-canon
Oracle of Seasons (Himekawa)OoS (Himekawa)2009-04-07Non-canon
PiCTOBiTSPiCTOBiTS2009-05-18Non-canon
Oracle of Ages (Himekawa)OoA (Himekawa)2009-06-02Non-canon
Too Much Tingle PackTMTP2009-06-24Non-canon
Four Swords (Himekawa)FS (Himekawa)2009-08-04Non-canon
Ripened Tingle's Balloon Trip of LoveRTBToL2009-08-06Non-canon
The Minish Cap (Himekawa)TMC (Himekawa)2009-12-01Non-canon
Spirit TracksST2009-12-07Canon
A Link to the Past (Himekawa)ALttP (Himekawa)2010-02-02Non-canon
WarioWare: D.I.Y.WarioWare: D.I.Y.2010-03-28Non-canon
WarioWare: D.I.Y. ShowcaseWarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase2010-03-29Non-canon
Phantom Hourglass (Himekawa)PH (Himekawa)2010-09-07Non-canon
StreetPass Mii PlazaStreetPass Mii Plaza2011-03-27Non-canon
AR GamesAR Games2011-03-27Non-canon
Zelda HD ExperienceZelda HD Experience2011-06-07Non-canon
Ocarina of Time 3DOoT3D2011-06-19Canon
Four Swords Anniversary EditionFSAE2011-09-28Non-canon
Skyward Sword (Krahulik)SS (Krahulik)2011-11-15Non-canon
Skyward SwordSS2011-11-20Canon (superseded by Skyward Sword HD)
Dynasty Warriors VSDynasty Warriors VS2012-04-26Non-canon
Club Nintendo PicrossClub Nintendo Picross2012-09-13Non-canon
Ocarina of Time 3D (Ming)OoT3D (Ming)2012-10-27Non-canon
Scribblenauts UnlimitedScribblenauts Unlimited2012-11-13Non-canon
Nintendo LandNL2012-11-18Non-canon
Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U EditionTekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition2012-11-18Non-canon
Skyward Sword (Himekawa)SS (Himekawa)2013-01-29Non-canon
Animal Crossing: New LeafAnimal Crossing: New Leaf2013-06-09Non-canon
The Wind Waker HDTWWHD2013-09-20Canon
Sonic Lost WorldSonic Lost World2013-10-29Non-canon
The Misadventures of LinkTMoL2013-11-01Non-canon
A Link Between WorldsALBW2013-11-22Canon
NES RemixNES Remix2013-12-18Non-canon
NES Remix 2NES Remix 22014-04-25Non-canon
Mario Kart 8MK82014-05-30Non-canon
Hyrule WarriorsHW2014-09-26Non-canon (superseded by Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DSSSBfN3DS2014-10-03Non-canon
Club Nintendo Picross PlusClub Nintendo Picross Plus2014-10-09Non-canon
Bayonetta 2Bayonetta 22014-10-24Non-canon
BayonettaBayonetta2014-10-24Non-canon
Ultimate NES RemixUltimate NES Remix2014-11-07Non-canon
One Piece: Super Grand Battle! XOne Piece: Super Grand Battle! X2014-11-13Non-canon
Super Smash Bros. for Wii USSBfWU2014-11-21Non-canon
Monster Hunter 4 UltimateMonster Hunter 4 Ultimate2015-02-13Non-canon
Majora's Mask 3DMM3D2015-02-13Canon
Link's HijinksLH2015-08-07Non-canon
Super Mario MakerSuper Mario Maker2015-09-10Non-canon
Tri Force HeroesTFH2015-10-23Canon
Nintendo Badge ArcadeNintendo Badge Arcade2015-11-10Non-canon
Twilight Princess HDTPHD2016-03-04Canon
MiitomoMiitomo2016-03-17Non-canon
Hyrule Warriors LegendsHWL2016-03-25Non-canon (superseded by Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
My Nintendo Picross: Twilight PrincessMNPTP2016-03-31Non-canon
Monster Hunter GenerationsMonster Hunter Generations2016-07-15Non-canon
Picross 3D: Round 2Picross 3D: Round 22016-09-01Non-canon
SwapdoodleSwapdoodle2016-11-17Non-canon
Defenders of the TriforceDotT2017-01-31Non-canon
Breath of the WildBotW2017-03-03Canon
Twilight Princess (Himekawa)TP (Himekawa)2017-03-14Non-canon
Mario Kart 8 DeluxeMK8D2017-04-28Non-canon
Monster Hunter StoriesMonster Hunter Stories2017-09-08Non-canon
SkyrimSkyrim2017-11-17Non-canon
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive EditionHWDE2018-05-18Non-canon
WarioWare GoldWarioWare Gold2018-08-03Non-canon
Monster Hunter Generations UltimateMonster Hunter Generations Ultimate2018-08-28Non-canon
Super Smash Bros. UltimateSSBU2018-12-07Non-canon
Cadence of HyruleCoH2019-06-13Ambiguously-canon
Super Mario Maker 2SMM22019-06-28Ambiguously-canon
Link's Awakening for Nintendo SwitchLANS2019-09-20Canon
Ring Fit AdventureRing Fit Adventure2019-10-01Non-canon
Hyrule Warriors: Age of CalamityHWAoC2020-11-20Non-canon
Skyward Sword HDSSHD2021-07-16Canon
VerminG&WTLoZV2021-11-12Non-canon
Splatoon 3Splatoon 32022-09-09Non-canon
Tears of the KingdomTotK2023-05-12Canon
Pikmin 4Pikmin 42023-07-21Non-canon
WarioWare: Move It!WarioWare: Move It!2023-11-03Non-canon