Sorry To Burst Your Bubble, But There Is No Zelda Timeline.

If you're really into Zelda, you've probably already seen The Legend of Zelda, Split Timeline Theory. An interesting theory, but according to Nintendo, there is no timeline.

The quote of interest:

This means that -- unless otherwise specified -- each new game represents a new Link and that there isn't a true frame of reference or timeline possible for the series.

I'm sure fans will continue to make up their own theories, and try to fit all the games into some sort of a timeline. But as far as Nintendo's concerned, you're probably wasting your time.

Thoughts?

I'd just like to add that Miyamoto has said that there is some sort of timeline (whether he knows it or not, I'm not sure). ^ This is just NoA's opinion.

I've known this for a while. A "timeline" for Zelda can be interpreted i.e. OoT with it's direct sequal Majora leading up TP and then to WW which goes PH and so forth. The timeline theory is irrelevant though, since nothing in past Zelda games truely affect the story or outcome of each other there is no pint to it. It's like trying to give Mario's games timelines, wtf for?

I'd just like to add that Miyamoto has said that there is some sort of timeline (whether he knows it or not, I'm not sure). ^ This is just NoA's opinion.

bob_newman

So, i think your topic title may be a bit attention grabbing.jjr10

I'm acting as the voice of Nintendo :P

I tend to go down the "there might be a timeline but I don't really care" route. :P

Zelda fans are dedicated to the franchise so "sorry to burst your bubble" but this doesnt really change anything since they still get enjoyment from talking about it. ;)

I tend to go down the "there might be a timeline but I don't really care" route. :P

GabuEx

Haha, me too.

I tend to go down the "there might be a timeline but I don't really care" route. :P

GabuEx

that timeline makes sense, and Miyamoto did say their is a timeline of somesort, but if he changes his mind for whatever reason we can settle with fact that its just a legend. After all y do u think its called "THE LEGEND of Zelda". But thats if miyamoto randomly changes his mind:P

I like to link (:P) events up, but your right, there isn't a logical timeline of games.

You mean people didn't already know this?

I tend to go down the "there might be a timeline but I don't really care" route. :P

GabuEx

However I think I may be able to put them in order, though alot of pain will occur in my mind....

As far as zelda games go there is no point in trying to connect a timeline because it will never match up. Each game has recognizable lore and stuff from past games but they should just be taken as subtle background and atmosphere for the feel of the games world and history. No point in connecting dots since each zelda game should be taken as a separate experience with its own story differentiated from the last game while still retelling the same age old story but in a new way, except for games that are obviously sequels like WW-PH. For me its always been the story at hand that's important and not where it would fit timeline wise with the other games. I think miymoto should just say they never had a concrete one and they never will, i mean at least Hideo Kojima said that he made most of it up of the later stories and prequels for MGS as he went on and they all barely managed to fit together nicely. So all in all i could care less about any timeline because its not gonna matter that much.

Watched this guys theory. He made more sense than GT did. Interesting stuff.

noo the time line starts with minish cap i dont wana explain cause im lazy but it dose

Well have Nintendo, Miyamoto or Aonuma said that there isn't a time-line?

Well there could very well be a real timeline for the story, perhaps Nintendo just doesn't want us to know until they are done telling the story.

Q: Where does The Wind Waker fit into the overall Zelda series timeline?

Aonuma: You can think of this game as taking place over a hundred years after Ocarina of Time. You can tell this from the opening story, and there are references to things from Ocarina located throughout the game as well.
Miyamoto: Well, wait, which point does the hundred years start from?
Aonuma: From the end.
Miyamoto: No, I mean, as a child or as a...
Aonuma: Oh, right, let me elaborate on that. Ocarina of Time basically has two endings of sorts; one has Link as a child and the other has him as an adult. This game, The Wind Waker, takes place a hundred years after the adult Link defeats Ganon at the end of Ocarina.
Miyamoto: This is pretty confusing for us, too. (laughs) So be careful.

Link.

:question:

Timeline is in the eye of the beholder.

My theory... They used to have a timeline, but after awhile, the timeline didn't fit what they wanted to do with new games or it limited their story ideas so they just got away from it knowing that people were always unsure or speculating about it anyway.

I could care less about the timeline, I play each game individually anyways. The timeline theory on gametrailers is awesome though.

Doesn't bother me. I kind of figured this a while ago.

The games are still amazing.

My theory... They used to have a timeline, but after awhile, the timeline didn't fit what they wanted to do with new games or it limited their story ideas so they just got away from it knowing that people were always unsure or speculating about it anyway.

I could care less about the timeline, I play each game individually anyways. The timeline theory on gametrailers is awesome though.

roboccs

I saw the dudes timeline, and his timeline didn't make any sense anyways. Also miyamoto made the game, not NOA.

[QUOTE="roboccs"]

My theory... They used to have a timeline, but after awhile, the timeline didn't fit what they wanted to do with new games or it limited their story ideas so they just got away from it knowing that people were always unsure or speculating about it anyway.

I could care less about the timeline, I play each game individually anyways. The timeline theory on gametrailers is awesome though.

There isn't a set timeline, but they always mention before a new game comes out where it takes place in relation to all the other games. I think that if they wanted to do a timeline it would be fairly easy.

Q: Where does The Wind Waker fit into the overall Zelda series timeline?

Aonuma: You can think of this game as taking place over a hundred years after Ocarina of Time. You can tell this from the opening story, and there are references to things from Ocarina located throughout the game as well.
Miyamoto: Well, wait, which point does the hundred years start from?
Aonuma: From the end.
Miyamoto: No, I mean, as a child or as a...
Aonuma: Oh, right, let me elaborate on that. Ocarina of Time basically has two endings of sorts; one has Link as a child and the other has him as an adult. This game, The Wind Waker, takes place a hundred years after the adult Link defeats Ganon at the end of Ocarina.
Miyamoto: This is pretty confusing for us, too. (laughs) So be careful.

Link.

:question:

VGobbsesser

It doesn't matter if Nintendo meant for there to be a timeline or not, the meaning is within the games. The same goes for novels; we find meaning in them even where the author meant none, the death of the author.

miyamoto = creator , if he says there is a timeline then there must be a timeline. i read some where a while back that he tries to fit everything into the time line some whereboba707

YIPPEE!!!!!!

The theory in the video is the most accurate, if there is one.

Pretty sweet video.

Both sides of the argument as to whether or not there is an actual timeline have many valid points. Anyone who has entered a timeline discussion thread knows that any timeline whatsoever is INCREDIBLY confusing, mainly due to the sheer amount of content as well as dangling plot lines. All this indeed suggests that there is no possible way for a comprehensible timeline to exist. However, on the other side of the argument are the few statements made by Miyamoto and Anouma. Its impossible to tell the creator of something that he is wrong about his own product. He created it and therefore he knows it better than anyone else. I think it is possible though that he has somewhat abandoned the timeline a bit, or that many timeline theorists simply over analyze the facts. Sure, I think it would be awesome if there was an actual timeline and it was every bit as complex as its made out to be. However, I think there is a greater possibility that we might never know or that there are perhaps several small timelines, WW, PH, etc. rather than one all encompassing timeline.