Lets look at this logically, ok? Starting from the beginning:
Obviously the original Legend of Zelda (
LoZ) came first in '87, so we have this:
LoZ
Next, there was the Adventure of Link (
AoL) a year later in '88, which obviously came after LoZ because it was a sequal to the game and no other Links had been thought of yet:
LoZ - AoL
Next came A Link to the Past (
ALttP) which was meant to be a prequel to the two games, because it showed how Ganon first came to be (from the grave), and also had other elements which showed it logically as a sequel:
ALttP - LoZ - AoL
After that came Link's Awakening (
LA), the first non-console Zelda game. This game, logically featured the same Link everyone loved at the time, the Link from ALttP, and is therefore believed to be a sequel; which is why they both look exactly the same in the official art, and why hes had such experience:
ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
After that, the Zelda series went into 3-dimensions with the ever popular Ocarina of Time (
OoT) on the n64. This was meant to predate ALL of the Zelda games, because it showed the BS of ALttP where Ganon was sealed away. It was clearly meant to be a prequel to the series, clearing up many of the plot points, and making it a much deeper experience:
OoT - ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
Next came Majora's Mask (
MM) which was most obviously a direct sequel to OoT, in that it clearly featured the same Link, who looked the same, had the same items, same horse, same background, etc. This game is also the main reason timeline theorists are split into two divisions, but that aside, the order of the games so far is as follows:
OoT - MM - ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
In this next time period, the Oracle of Seasons (
OoS) and Oracle of Ages (
OoA) games came out for the game boy color. These games were clearly following the hype of the n64 duo (OoT and MM). They contained elements of the games, obviously (characters, horse, items, etc.). These games dont honestly fit perfectly anywhere in the timeline. I beleive originally they belonged after the n64 games, but Capcom, not knowing much about Zeldaism, messed it up. Further evaluation of the games leads it to believe that they dont fit there at all. Now its believed they fit between LA and LoZ. Because of this debate they will be excluded for now, just to keep it simple.
Next Capcom came back with another boom in the Zelda series re-releasing ALttP along with a side game on the cartridge, Four Swords (
FS), for the game boy advance. This is another game that didnt fit at all either, continuing Capcom's bashing of Zeldaism. Because of this, we will also exclude this game for the time being.
Soon after, the game everyone had been waiting for, the next fully 3D Zelda game came for the Gamecube. The Wind Waker (
TWW/WW) answered some questions, but opened many more. This game was clearly once again following the now legacy of the n64 games, in that it talked constantly of the Hero of Time (Link in OoT and MM) and had characters such as Jabun (Lord Jabu Jabu) as well as stainglass windows surrounding the mastersword, picturing the sages from OoT. It can be logically inferred, because no other Links or heroes were mentioned that it continues as follows:
OoT - MM - WW - ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
Next came Four Swords Adventures (
FSA) on the gamecube. Although it wasnt 3D it was quite popular (even if I didnt like it) because of its party-like style like fans of FS could enjoy. This game was obviously a sequel to FS, in that it clearly featured the same Link, who knew of the Four Sword, and whatnot. So because we do not know where this and FS fit, we will assemble another timeline, not knowing exactly whereabout to place it:
OoT - MM - WW - ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
FS - FSA
Next came the ever popular The Minish Cap (
TMC) on gameboy advance. This game was clearly meant to be a prequel to FS and FSA because it showed how the villian in those games, Vaati, came to be such an aparision of evil. It also showed how the Four Sword came to be, coming form the "Picori Blade". So it would continue as follows:
OoT - MM - WW - ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
TMC - FS - FSA
While we are assembling miniature timelines which we dont know where to place, Ill add the Oracle games in there:
OoT - MM - WW - ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
TMC - FS - FSA
OoS/OoA
Next, last year, came what game? Twilight Princess (
TP). While a popular game, it was a dissappointment to those who enjoyed WW. This was yet another game that followed the legacy of the n64 titles, in that it clearly featured the same hyrule, and descendants of all the n64 characters you came to love. However it never completely made sense to put it in between MM and WW chronilogically because if there was this other hero, other than the Hero of Time, wouldnt he also be mentioned in WW? This is evidence that Splitists (believers in a split-timeline when OoT Link was sent back in time in the end of the game). However, if TP took place in the "second" timeline, wouldnt there be no Hero of Time? Splitists believe that in the end of OoT, Link was sent back to warn the King of Ganon's intentions, as he held the Triforce of Courage within his body. This theory would make no sense either, because then there would be no Hero of Time and he would not be referenced in TP. So where exactly does TP fit? No ones entirely sure. The best we can do is put it between MM and WW because it is obviously in the same universe as the n64 games. A sequel is needed.
Our final timeline is as follows:
OoT - MM - TP - WW - ALttP - LA - LoZ - AoL
TMC - FS - FSA
OoS/OoA
The FS and Oracle timelines are still not certain of their placement, and TP isnt either. But TP at least has some sensible evidence of its placement (i.e. referencing the Hero of Time, having a shiekah present, being in the same Hyrule, etc.)
Man, now I feel like a geek.
