Few franchises in gaming have stood the test of time quite like The Legend of Zelda. Since its debut in 1986, Nintendo’s fantasy epic has enchanted players with sprawling dungeons, heartfelt quests, and a hero destined to battle evil. From 8-bit roots to open-world marvels, each entry brings a new layer to the mythos of Hyrule, making it both a nostalgic journey and a timeless adventure for generations of fans.
Whether you’re new to Link’s legendary adventures or looking to revisit every tale in chronological or release order, this 2025 guide walks you through every major Zelda title — from the heroic beginnings to the shattered timelines, right up to Tears of the Kingdom.
Chronological Timeline Order (According to Official Zelda Timeline)
Nintendo’s Hyrule Historia divides the timeline into three branching paths after Ocarina of Time. Here’s the complete timeline order.
1. The Era of the Goddess Hylia & the Sky
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (2011 – Wii, Switch HD)
The first game in the timeline explores the origin of the Master Sword and Link’s eternal battle against Demise. Set in the sky-floating world of Skyloft, it establishes the ancient struggle between good and evil.
2. The Founding of Hyrule
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (2004 – GBA)
This whimsical entry introduces the origin of Vaati and the creation of the Four Sword, offering a smaller-scale but heartfelt tale in a beautifully animated world.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (2002 – GBA)
A multiplayer-centric title where Link splits into four, continuing the legacy of the Four Sword. Though short, it laid groundwork for future co-op Zelda experiences.
3. The Era of the Hero of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998 – N64, 3DS remake)
Arguably the most iconic Zelda game, Ocarina revolutionized 3D gaming. It chronicles Link’s journey through time and the eventual splitting of the timeline into three distinct paths.
Timeline Split:
A. Decline Timeline – Link Fails
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (1991 – SNES)
A fan favorite that solidified many Zelda tropes: parallel worlds, memorable items, and the Master Sword’s legacy.
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (1993 – GB, Switch remake)
A dreamy and introspective tale set outside Hyrule, beloved for its emotional depth and unique tone.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages & Oracle of Seasons (2001 – GBC)
These linked adventures allowed for puzzle-solving and combat mastery across two complementary games.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (2013 – 3DS)
A spiritual successor to A Link to the Past, introducing wall-merging mechanics and a nonlinear dungeon approach.
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015 – 3DS)
A co-op-focused game centered on fashion, teamwork, and puzzle-solving, with a humorous tone.
The Legend of Zelda (1986 – NES)
The game that started it all. Players explored an open world without hand-holding, forever changing action-adventure gaming.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987 – NES)
A side-scrolling RPG-styled entry that remains divisive but innovative, expanding the lore and magic system.
B. Child Timeline – Link is Sent Back
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000 – N64, 3DS remake)
A darker, time-loop-driven story set in Termina, where Link races to stop the moon from crashing in 72 hours.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006 – GC, Wii, Wii U HD)
A mature, brooding adventure in a shadow-infected Hyrule. Wolf Link and Midna became fan favorites.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (2004 – GC)
A blend of single and multiplayer gameplay where four Links again face off against Vaati and Ganon.
C. Adult Timeline – Hyrule is Flooded
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002 – GC, Wii U HD)
Set in a vast ocean after Hyrule’s flooding, its cartoon art style was divisive at launch but beloved today.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (2007 – DS)
A direct sequel to Wind Waker, featuring touch-screen sailing and dungeon crawling.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (2009 – DS)
Set in a new land with trains, spirits, and Zelda as a helpful companion, it offers fresh mechanics and charm.
Unified Timeline (Tens of Thousands of Years Later)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017 – Wii U, Switch)
A revolutionary open-world experience that redefined Zelda gameplay. Set at the end of all timelines, it’s a story of rebirth and resilience.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023 – Switch)
A direct sequel expanding upon Breath of the Wild’s world with vertical exploration, fusing mechanics, and deeper lore into Hyrule’s forgotten past.
Release Order of All Legend of Zelda Games (Mainline + Major Spin-offs)
Here’s a full list of Zelda titles by release year with platform details and notes.
| Title | Release Year | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda | 1986 | NES | The original top-down adventure that started it all. |
| Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | 1987 | NES | A bold RPG-style sequel with side-scrolling combat. |
| A Link to the Past | 1991 | SNES | Introduced the concept of dual worlds and the Master Sword. |
| Link’s Awakening | 1993 | Game Boy | The first Zelda without Zelda or Hyrule—set in a dream. |
| Ocarina of Time | 1998 | N64 | First 3D Zelda, now regarded as one of the greatest games ever. |
| Majora’s Mask | 2000 | N64 | A dark, time-loop narrative with a focus on side quests and masks. |
| Oracle of Seasons / Ages | 2001 | GBC | Twin adventures with unique mechanics—Seasons for action, Ages for puzzles. |
| Four Swords | 2002 | GBA | First multiplayer Zelda, bundled with A Link to the Past. |
| The Wind Waker | 2002 | GameCube | Cel-shaded exploration on the Great Sea. |
| Four Swords Adventures | 2004 | GameCube | Multiplayer-focused with bite-sized levels. |
| The Minish Cap | 2004 | GBA | Explores the origins of the Four Sword; shrinking mechanics introduced. |
| Twilight Princess | 2006 | GC, Wii, Wii U | A darker take with transformative gameplay as Wolf Link. |
| Phantom Hourglass | 2007 | DS | Stylus controls and sea navigation return. |
| Spirit Tracks | 2009 | DS | Trains, spirits, and puzzles galore in a post-Wind Waker world. |
| Skyward Sword | 2011 | Wii, Switch HD | Chronologically first; motion-controlled swordplay. |
| A Link Between Worlds | 2013 | 3DS | Wall-merging mechanics and nonlinear progression. |
| Tri Force Heroes | 2015 | 3DS | Co-op fashion-based gameplay in a lighter Hyrule. |
| Breath of the Wild | 2017 | Wii U, Switch | Open-world reinvention with physics-based gameplay. |
| Tears of the Kingdom | 2023 | Switch | Vertical world expansion, ancient Zonai lore, and new crafting mechanics. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What’s the best Zelda game to start with?
A: Breath of the Wild is a great modern starting point, while A Link to the Past or Ocarina of Time are ideal if you want classic Zelda vibes with tighter progression.
Q: Are all Zelda games connected?
A: Yes, but loosely. Many games feature reincarnations of Link, Zelda, and Ganon across different timelines. Each game is largely self-contained but shares key themes and elements.
Q: Do I need to play them in timeline order?
A: Not at all! Most fans recommend playing based on release order or starting with highly acclaimed titles like Ocarina, Wind Waker, or Breath of the Wild.
Q: Is Tears of the Kingdom the end of the series?
A: Not at all. While it continues Breath of the Wild’s legacy, Nintendo has hinted at more adventures ahead in Hyrule’s evolving timeline.
Final Thoughts
The Legend of Zelda is more than a series—it’s a legend that has grown with gamers for nearly four decades. Whether you’re drawn to pixelated puzzles, sweeping orchestral scores, or vast open-world exploration, there’s a version of Hyrule calling your name. As we await what comes next, revisiting these timeless tales in either release or timeline order is one of the best ways to appreciate the series’ depth, creativity, and heart.
Heroes rise. Evil returns. But the legend lives on.