TotK & BotW Timeline Diverge From Series Predecessors

Nintendo confirms that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom exist outside the established Zelda timeline. This announcement was made at Nintendo Live 2024 in Sydney, Australia.

A Separate Branch in Zelda History

The revelation significantly alters the established Zelda timeline, which previously branched into three distinct paths following Ocarina of Time: "Hero is Defeated," "Adult Timeline," and "Child Timeline." These timelines encompass numerous Zelda titles, each building upon events in preceding games.

However, as confirmed by Nintendo's presentation, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom stand apart, unconnected to any of the previously established timelines. This was revealed via slides detailing "The Legend of Zelda History." News site Vooks reported on this significant timeline alteration.

The original timeline, starting with Skyward Sword and branching after Ocarina of Time, is now presented as distinct from the events of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

The Blurring of Hyrule's History

The complexities of Hyrule's cyclical history, as alluded to in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion, further complicate the timeline's interpretation. The book suggests the cyclical nature of Hyrule's rise and fall makes it challenging to distinguish between historical fact and legend, adding another layer to the ongoing debate among fans. The book states: "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 contributes to the unique placement of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom outside the traditional timeline.