Chronological Conundrum: TotK, BotW Spiritually Apart in Zelda Saga

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom exist outside the established Zelda timeline, Nintendo confirms.

Zelda Timeline Complexity Increases

BotW and TotK Events Stand Alone

Nintendo officially announced at Nintendo Live 2024 in Sydney, Australia, that Breath of the Wild (BotW) and Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) are not connected to the series' previously established timeline. This was revealed via presentation slides detailing "The Legend of Zelda History."

The Legend of Zelda series, launched in 1987, features Link's battles against evil across multiple interconnected timelines. However, as reported by Vooks, Nintendo's recent timeline presentation clarifies that BotW and TotK's events are independent from earlier games.

The established timeline begins with Skyward Sword, leading to Ocarina of Time. After Ocarina of Time, the timeline branches into two: the "Hero is Defeated" timeline (including A Link to the Past) and the "Hero is Triumphant" timeline, further dividing into the "Child" timeline (Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess, Four Swords Adventures) and the "Adult" timeline (The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass).

The chart clearly shows BotW and TotK as separate entries, unconnected to the established branches.

The Zelda timeline's complexity has long fueled fan debate. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion hints at Hyrule's cyclical history obscuring the lines between fact and legend, making precise timeline placement difficult. The book notes: "Hyrule’s recurring periods of prosperity and decline have made it impossible to tell which legends are historical fact and which are mere fairy tale." This ambiguity further complicates the placement of BotW and TotK.