With notable exceptions, The Legend of Zelda saga is reborn and reinvented with each new installment. And he does it masterfully. From the intrinsic charm of a modest but unforgettable Link’s Awakening to the inexhaustible Hyrule of Breath of the Wild there is much more than one stretch. However, Link continues to stay true to the original essence: the spirit of adventure.
Which brings us to an interesting point: after more than 20 installments we take it for granted that there are limitless ways to save the kingdom of Hyrule and keep the Triforce in balance. But leaving aside the launch order, is it possible to approach the saga in a correct order? Well, here you have to have two elements ahead:
- On the one hand, there is an official chronology of the saga, which in turn is subdivided into three time lines. We will talk about that later.
- On the other hand, it is possible to organize all deliveries so that, gradually, an evolutionary line is established centered on the player’s experience ahead of events.
The fact that Nintendo has established an official timeline of the saga helps us a lot in the first case. However, this chronological order does not correspond, by any means, to the launch of each title. As a result, it is not so recommended.
Thus, our ultimate goal will be to establish the second channel, which will come in handy to catch up on upcoming deliveries or rediscover its legacy. And although it is complicated, it is not impossible.
We are going to offer you the two options so that you can choose how to approach the saga, since we are aware that to properly understand the legacy of Hyrule it is necessary to have a historical perspective.
The Official Timeline: The Consequences of Link’s Success or Failure
From the beginning, Link’s adventures have been much more than the story of a young hero who embarks on a rescue mission through dangers, enemies and dungeons. To the point where the official timelines contemplate his defeat in the face of the forces of evil.
In essence, in each game of The Legend of Zelda we are presented with an essential chapter within the history of the kingdom of Hyrule. At least, in the case of the main deliveries. And in each of those chapters we will see how the incarnations of those chosen by the Triforce take on a crucial role. Of course, the player will always have one of those roles reserved: the one chosen by the Triforce of Valor.
Now, what is the Triforce? The world in which the universe of The Legend of Zelda takes place was created through the designs of three goddesses: Din , the goddess of power who created the earth; Nayru , the goddess of wisdom who created order and Farore , the goddess of courage who created life.
But before the goddesses made their creations, the three of them materialized a magical object with the appearance of three golden triangles: the Triforce . This item is capable of granting a wish to those who possess the virtues of power, wisdom, and courage.
However, if these are not balanced, it will fragment into three equal parts. As a consequence, the Triforce has chosen heroes throughout the ages capable of embodying their unique powers.
From here and with the creation of earth, order and life, the history of the world of Hyrule would begin.
The Legend of Zelda Official Timeline (to date)
Order of events established in the Hyrule Historia compendium published by Nintendo
The Age of Goddess and Hero Legend
Order according to the canon of the saga:
- Skyward Sword
- The Minish CapÂ
- Four Swords
- Ocarina of Time
After the creation of the earth and the heavens, the era of the goddess Hylia began . A deity that would manifest in the eyes of mortals at the starting point -on a chronological level- of the saga in Skyward Sword and that would give rise to five later eras: the era of heaven, the era of chaos, the era of the prosperity (where the kingdom of Hyrule would be established) and the era of the Hero of time , which would coincide in a period of civil war that would be shown to us in Ocarina of Time.
There would be other adventures before the arrival of the time hero where the chosen of Farore would have the opportunity to prove their worth: during the years after the founding of Hyrule we would see the era of the Force in which the evil Vaati will resurface up to twice and whose events would be shown through The Minish Cap and Four Swords .
However, the interesting thing is that at the end of the Age of the Time Hero, once Ganondorf turns the world into darkness to become the demon king Ganon, three timelines open to us. In one the chosen one of the triforce of valor is defeated, in the other two he is victorious.
The Hero of Time Has Been Defeated by Ganon: The Decline of Hyrule and Farore’s Last Chosen
Order according to the canon of the saga:
- Ocarina of TimeÂ
- A Link to the Past
- Link’s Awakening
- Oracle of Seasons y Oracle of Ages
- A Link Between WorldsÂ
- Tri Force Heroes
- The Legend of Zelda
- The Adventure of Link
After a period of little-documented wars, the era of Light and Darkness would begin, which would lead us to the events that occurred in A Link to the Past and its direct continuations: Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages , A Link Between Worlds and Tri Force Heroes .
Those adventures would eventually lead to the use of the Triforce, restoring order in the golden age . Although of course, evil would find its way to resurface: shortly before the NES classic The Legend of Zelda , the era of decline would begin, culminating in the inevitable return of Ganon and taking us to the events of The Adventure of Link , where (until now) evil has been contained.
Time Hero Defeats Ganon: Child Link’s Timeline, Twilight, and Legacy
Order according to the canon of the saga:
- Ocarina of TimeÂ
- Majora’s Mask
- Twilight PrincessÂ
- Four Swords AdventuresÂ
When Link intervenes in the course of time, three chronological lines are created. On the one hand, that of a failure that we have just addressed. On the other, the two that take place in the present and the future of Ocarina of Time . This is the story that continues in Hyrule in which the hero is still a child.
The main thing is that Ocarina of Time had a direct continuation: Majora’s Mask , after which Ganondorf would end up being struck down. But the calm would not be forever. With Twilight Princess the dark Invasion would begin and with it the Twilight era , which left us with a truly unique adventure: in Four Swords Adventures we will face the return of Ganondorf and Vaati. Little joke.
Time Hero Defeats Ganon: Adult Link’s Timeline of the Winds and the New World
Order according to the canon of the saga:
- Ocarina of TimeÂ
- The Wind Waker.
- Phantom HourglassÂ
- Spirit Tracks
The future that the hero of the time left as a legacy is undoubtedly the most curious and unknown. After ages without a hero in which there are no records of what happened, it was learned that Ganon resurfaced and flooded the entire kingdom of Hyrule, ushering in the era of the great sea while leaving us at the gates of what happened in Wind Waker.
This would have two fascinating consequences: in addition to Ganon, a new hero would appear sailing the seas in search of adventure, being the starting point of the era of the great journey of Phantom Hourglass and, with it, the discovery of a new continent and the foundation of a new Kingdom of Hyrule . Finally, Spirit Tracks closes the story date, pitting Link and Zelda against the evil Demon King Malladus.
Where does The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild take place ? There are various theories, although Nintendo has not located it in the chronology. At least to date. Although its announced sequel possibly offers us new clues about this fascinating piece of the masterful nintendero puzzle .
Where is it better to start if I want to play The Legend of Zelda?
So far we have offered you the possibility of tackling the plot by following the official chronicles of the kingdom of Hyrule. From the creation of time to the various destinies that await those chosen by the will of the triforce. Is it the most suitable to tackle the saga? Not quite.
Nintendo has explored and experimented a lot and very well with the possibilities of each of its systems, so the duration and complexity of each installment does not correspond to its chronological order. In fact, roughly, we will not notice the difference at the plot level when playing one title before another.
With this premise, we want to offer you an alternative order from which to start or resume all the installments of The Legend of Zelda saga based on the experience for the player, while maintaining a certain playable and artistic progression. Something that gives it an extra point of interest.
Next, you will see all the installments of the saga reorganized with the player as a reference for the game experience.
The starting point: from the original Zelda to Link Between Worlds
Recommended order:
- The Legend of Zelda (NES)
- Link’s Awakening (Game Boy)
- The Adventure of Link  (NES)
- A Link to the Past (SNES)Â
- Four Swords Adventures (GameCube)Â
- Tri Force Heroes (3DS)
- A Link Between Worlds (3DS)
Despite its modest visual section, the fruit of its time, The Legend of Zelda is the stone on which the entire saga is built. And by far the perfect starting point to embark on the adventure. Delving into Hyrule is tremendously simple, but no less attractive. However, the leap in quality would come with subsequent deliveries.
Link’s Awakening would be the natural continuation, although not because of its technical or visual section, but because of the way it drastically elevates what is seen without depending on avant-garde sprites. The Adventure of Link , on the other hand, offers that aspect closer to the action that would be replicated in the three-dimensional installments or in cooperative with Tri Force Heroes .
But, beyond doubt, the epicenter of this first section is A Link to the Past. Nintendo picked up the saga on SNES with success by creating a timeless classic that would set a chair in the adventure game genre. An adventure that leaves us wanting more and that, fortunately, receives a declared continuity from the hand of Four Swords Adventures and A Link Between Worlds.
Winds of Adventure: From The Minish Cap to Spirit Tracks
Recommended order:
- The Minish Cap (Game Boy Advance)
- Oracle of Seasons / Ages (Game Boy Color)
- The Wind Waker (GameCube)
- Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo DS)
- Spirit Tracks (Nintendo DS)
The evolutionary line of the Zelda saga does not go hand in hand with its visual section: Link’s appearance is the perfect example that you do not have to judge a game by its cover and, despite the casual tone of these adventures, such experiences await you epic and fascinating as well as fun.
When it comes to establishing a nexus with respect to previous installments, the perfect starting point is The Minish Cap , a delivery that – despite having been developed at the hands of Capcom – radiates nonsense magic. And the same can be said for Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, two titles that complement each other so well that each is an extension of the previous one.
However, the real shock would come with The Wind Waker : a completely different artistic section was the touchstone for the future of a saga that seemed to have peaked with Ocarina of Time , with two extra stops that would give continuity to its exquisite essence: Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks .
Gestas atemporales: de Ocarina of Time a Breath of the Wild
Recommended order:
- Ocarina of Time (N64)
- Majora’s Mask (N64)
- Twilight Princess (GameCube y Wii)
- Skyward Sword (Wii)
- Breath of the Wild (Wii U y Nintendo Switch)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is – never better said – a timeless icon. Not only did it define the timeline for the series, but it has been the yardstick of all subsequent games, as well as adventure games, for years. How to overcome it? Well, Nintendo bought time with a misunderstood sequel that time would put in its place: Majora’s Mask .
Combining what was learned in Ocarina of Time, A Link to the Past and The Wind Waker , Nintendo created with Twilight Princess what is considered the darkest Zelda to date. A transitional installment that would be published on GameCube and Wii, leaving a margin of five years until the next installment: Skyward Sword was not only the starting point of the saga, but also the finishing touch to its 25 years.
With this final trajectory, Nintendo faced its greatest challenge: to surpass itself with a saga that grew in ambition and whose shadow of its legacy – frequently recovered thanks to Virtual Consoles – was enormous. Then, after a production with more delays than desired, it was when he dared to take the next leap in quality with Breath of the Wild : an almost infinite open world and the constant feeling of challenges and adventures. An unquestionable masterpiece .
The other adventures of Link, Zelda and Ganondorf
Spin-offs and titles sorted by release date
- Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland (Nintendo DS)
- Link’s Crossbow Training (Wii)
- Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love (Nintendo DS) (Nintendo DS)
- Hyrule Warriors (Wii U, 3DS y Switch)
The heroes of Hyrule have starred in all kinds of secondary adventures that, without hindering the main saga, are the perfect excuse to revisit some of their most memorable installments. And, logically, they were not going to be left out of our review.
Link’s Crossbow Training gave fans the ability to use the Wii Remote’s sensors as a crossbow, somewhat recalling the spirit of the SNES Superscope. Although it is certainly not the greatest extravagance: the two adventures starring the peculiar Tingle are the example of the force with which the Touch Generations of DS aroused the imagination of the developers.
Special mention to Tecmo Koei’s Hyrule Warriors , which was adapted from Wii U to Switch through a curious version for 3DS. A review of all the characters and stages of the saga in the key of MUSOU that gradually expanded in modes and contents, while introducing a particularly unique character: Linkle, Link’s feminine counterpoint whose sense of direction took her away from the main adventures.
A mandatory procedure: let’s talk about the Zelda trilogy on CD-i
Recommended order (at your own risk and expense)
- Link: The Faces of Evil
- Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon
- Zelda’s Adventure
There was a time when Nintendo and Philips studied developing a joint disc player similar to the Mega CD. That project had two direct consequences: the launch of the CD-i entertainment system and the agreement to publish games from the Zelda saga on it . Some in which the Big N would not be involved in development.
With a very limited budget and the clock against to be able to make use of the rights, Phillips delegated to Animation Magic the realization of two traditional adventure games with digitized animations that would come out in 1993 and Viridis a third game that would arrive a year later. .
We have separated these three installments from the rest because of their low quality, but they could not be left out of our review if we wanted to address the entire legacy of Zelda. Including the one that even Nintendo itself has ignored.
The fate of the Triforce and its heroes continues
The trail that The Legend of Zelda’s legacy radiates is enormous: we have seen – and will continue to see – countless recognized tributes inspired by the deeds of Link and Zelda, ranging from blockbusters to indie jewels. But what about the saga itself?
The Hero of Hyrule continues to punish the forces of evil, and will continue to do so in the short and long term future. Well based on special collaborations and crossovers such as the recently released Cadence of Hyrule or its exquisite remake of Link’s Awakening , but also through a direct continuation of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
In subtle ways, The Legend of Zelda saga has always found a way to stay true to itself
You can be sure that the future holds new surprises and joys related to the saga that we want to add to our list. Always have the master sword handy , we can’t wait to find out when we’ll need it again.
