TotK & BotW: A Separate Zelda Timeline

Nintendo's recent announcement at Nintendo Live 2024 in Sydney, Australia, has sent ripples through the Zelda fanbase: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom exist outside the established series timeline. This revelation significantly alters the previously understood chronological order of the games.

A Separate Branch in Zelda History

The presentation clarified that Breath of the Wild (BotW) and Tears of the Kingdom (TotK) events are independent from those in previous Zelda titles. This contradicts the established timelines branching from Skyward Sword and Ocarina of Time, which previously divided the series into "Hero is Defeated" and "Hero is Triumphant" branches, further subdivided into "Child" and "Adult" timelines.

News outlet Vooks reported on Nintendo's timeline presentation, which showcased BotW and TotK as a distinct, standalone entry, detached from the established narrative threads. This leaves the established timeline intact, while adding a completely new, independent storyline.

Blending Fact and Legend in Hyrule

The ambiguity surrounding Hyrule's cyclical history, as alluded to in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion, further complicates the timeline's interpretation. The book hints that the cyclical nature of Hyrule's rise and fall makes distinguishing historical fact from legend nearly impossible, thus explaining the separation of BotW and TotK from the established chronology.

This unexpected development adds another layer of complexity to the already rich and intricate history of the Zelda franchise, prompting fans to reconsider their understanding of the series' overall narrative.