Zelda Timeline 2026

The Zelda timeline is Nintendo's in-story order of the games, not the order they were sold. It runs from Skyward Sword to Ocarina of Time, then splits into the Downfall, Child, and Adult branches. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom sit in a later section with its own founding. Last verified: 2026-11-10.

The Legend of Zelda

Zelda timeline

Every game. Three branches. One legend.

Play the timelineSee the chart

Where to play · What changed in 2026

Original parchment illustration of a golden tree with Downfall, Child, and Adult branches
3 branches
21 games
1 legend

Official games in story order

21 games

Official games in story order
GameEraBranch JapanNorth AmericaEurope Original platformStory neighbors Remakes / editionsStatus
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Sky eraBefore the split 2011-11-232011-11-202011-11-18 Wii
Skyward Sword HD · Nintendo Switch · 2021-07-16
 On official timeline · 3 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Force eraBefore the split 2004-11-042005-01-102004-11-12 Game Boy Advance
Nintendo Classics · Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 · date not sourced
 On official timeline · 3 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Force eraBefore the split 2003-03-142002-12-02 / 2002-12-03 (sources differ)2003-03-28 Game Boy Advance (bundled with A Link to the Past)
Four Swords Anniversary Edition · Nintendo DSiWare · 2011-09-28
 On official timeline · 3 source domains · NA date conflict
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Era of the Hero of TimeBefore the split 1998-11-211998-11-231998-12-11 Nintendo 64
Ocarina of Time 3D · Nintendo 3DS · 2011-06-16 (Japan)
Ocarina of Time · Nintendo Switch 2 · 2026-11-05
 On official timeline · 4 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons Era of Light and DarkDownfall 2001-02-272001-05-13 / 2001-05-14 (sources differ)2001-10-05 Game Boy Color
Nintendo Classics · Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 · date not sourced
 On official timeline · 3 source domains · NA date conflict
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages Era of Light and DarkDownfall 2001-02-272001-05-13 / 2001-05-14 (sources differ)2001-10-05 Game Boy Color
Nintendo Classics · Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 · date not sourced
 On official timeline · 3 source domains · NA date conflict
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Era of Light and DarkDownfall 2015-10-222015-10-232015-10-23 Nintendo 3DS — On official timeline · 3 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Era of Light and DarkDownfall 2024-09-262024-09-262024-09-26 Nintendo Switch — On official timeline · 4 source domains
The Legend of Zelda Era of declineDownfall 1986-02-211987-08-221987-11-15 Famicom Disk System / Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Classics · Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 · date not sourced
Game Boy Advance port · Game Boy Advance · 2004
 On official timeline · 2 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Child eraChild 2000-04-272000-10-25 / 2000-10-26 (sources differ)2000-11-17 Nintendo 64
Majora's Mask 3D · Nintendo 3DS · 2015-02-13 (North America / Europe)
 On official timeline · 3 source domains · NA date conflict
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Twilight eraChild 2006-12-022006-11-192006-12-08 Wii / GameCube (regional dates below are Wii)
Twilight Princess HD · Wii U · 2016-03-04 (North America / Europe)
 On official timeline · 4 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Shadow eraChild 2004-03-182004-06-072005-01-07 GameCube — On official timeline · 3 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Era of the Great SeaAdult 2002-12-132003-03-23 / 2003-03-24 (sources differ)2003-05-02 GameCube
The Wind Waker HD · Wii U · 2013-09-26 (Japan; NA digital 2013-09-20; NA physical / Europe 2013-10-04)
 On official timeline · 3 source domains · NA date conflict
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Era of the Great VoyageAdult 2007-06-232007-10-012007-10-19 Nintendo DS — On official timeline · 3 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Era of Hyrule's rebirthAdult 2009-12-232009-12-072009-12-11 Nintendo DS — On official timeline · 3 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild The Great Calamity and the UpheavalWild era 2017-03-032017-03-032017-03-03 Wii U / Nintendo Switch
Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition · Nintendo Switch 2 · 2025-06-05
 On official timeline · 2 source domains
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom The Great Calamity and the UpheavalWild era 2023-05-122023-05-122023-05-12 Nintendo Switch
Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition · Nintendo Switch 2 · 2025-06-05
 On official timeline · 3 source domains

What changed in 2026

Era by eraThe three branchesStory orderRelease dates2011 to 2026Where to playEvery gameQuestionsEn español
Official key art for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2
Official key art for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Key art © Nintendo. The hero illustration and chart are original.

Questions

How many Zelda timelines are there?

Three branches after Ocarina of Time, plus one history before the split. The wild-era section is not a fourth branch.

What is the first Zelda game?

The first sold is the 1986 Legend of Zelda. The first in the story is Skyward Sword.

Where is Breath of the Wild?

In the wild-era section, after a founding by Rauru and Sonia, not as a result of Ocarina's duel.

Did the 2026 Ocarina remake change the chart?

It is a new release of the same story, dated 5 Nov 2026. The chart still has one Ocarina node.

Sources

Nintendo — Ocarina of Time product information and official media gallery · checked 2026-11-10