Most video game enthusiasts got familiar with The Zelda series through The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of the Wild video game. In reality, The Legend Of Zelda has a long history of 35 years that consists of more than 20 video amazing video games.
However, it’s tough to understand the Legend Of Zelda timeline for new players who want to play all Zelda games in order.
That’s why, in this post, we’ve mentioned all Legend Of Zelda games in order. So, it’s best to go through the article if you’re thinking of exploring Zelda games from the start.
The Legend Of Zelda Timeline
February 21, 1986
The Legend Of Zelda: First Zelda Game
This is where it all started, the first Legend Of Zelda game that introduced us to Zelda and Link. The game’s plot was straightforward; Link, an elf-boy, goes on a journey to protect Princess Zelda from Ganon. The action-adventure role-playing video game is a 2D game that is played from a top-down perspective.
January 14, 1987
January 14, 1987
Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link
A sequel to the first Legend Of Zelda game, The Adventure of Link continues Link’s struggle to save Zelda. Unlike 1986’s The Legend Of Zelda, the sequel puts more emphasis on combat. Also, the game is played from a side-scrolling perspective. So, if you’re trying to understand the Legend Of Zelda timeline, ‘The Adventure of Link’ is on the second spot for you to explore.
November 21, 1991
November 21, 1991
A Link To The Past
The story continues, and Link is still trying to defeat Gordon. The only difference is that in ‘A Link To The Past,’ our favorite protagonist travels back and forth between two parallel worlds: Light and Dark. Similar to the first Zelda game, A Link To The Past gets back to the top-down perspective. Falling on the third spot in The Legend Of Zelda timeline, A Link To The Past is considered one of the best video games of all time.
June 6, 1993
June 6, 1993
Link’s Awakening
Continuing the same top-down perspective, Link’s Awakening is the fourth installment of Zelda games. Unlike most Zelda games, this one doesn’t take place in Hyrule. Instead, Link’s Awakening story takes place in Koholint, an island guarded by a whale-like deity, Wind Fish. So, our protagonist has to face enemies and solve numerous puzzles to escape that island. Moreover, this is one of those The Legend Of Zelda games where you won’t meet Zelda.
October 10, 1993
October 10, 1993
Link: The Faces Of Evil/Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon
The Faces of Evil and The Wand of Gamelon are two different games released on the same day. Both the game were developed simultaneously on the same engine. The Faces of Evil gives players the control of Link, who wants to defeat Gordon and save Princess Zelda. On the other hand, The Wand Of Gamelon is played from Zelda’s perspective, who also wants to defeat Gordon and save her kingdom.
November 21st, 1998
November 21st, 1998
Ocarina Of Time
Developed and published by Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time is the first 3D game of the franchise. In this game, you take control of Link, who travels through time to defeat Ganondorf. The story takes place in Hyrule, where Link explores several dungeons and plays songs to progress in the game.
January 21, 1999
January 21, 1999
Super Smash Bros.
Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. pits favorite Nintendo characters against each other in the same game. So, it only made sense for the developer to introduce Link and Zelda in Super Smash Bros. That is why this fighting game is included in the Legend of Zelda timeline.
April 27, 2000
April 27, 2000
Majora’s Mask
Majora’s Mask is the direct sequel of Ocarina of Time and the eighth game if you want to play Zelda games in order. The events of Majora’s Mask take place in an alternate reality at a place called Termina. Players take control of Link, who has three days to save the world from destruction. Interestingly, in Majora’s Mask, Link wears several masks that turn him into different beings.
February 27, 2001
February 27, 2001
Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages
Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are two Legend of Zelda games released at the same time. The story of Oracle of Seasons takes place in Holodrum, whereas Oracle of Ages transports Link to Labrynna. In both games, Link has to defeat powerful enemies; however, the main story is revealed when players complete both the games. So, if you’re planning to complete the entire Legend of Zelda timeline, these two games play a crucial part in the story.
December 2, 2002
December 2, 2002
Four Swords
Four Sword is a multiplayer co-op addition to The Legend of Zelda: Link to The Past. So, you could say that it doesn’t contribute to the Legend of Zelda timeline. Still, if you’re playing all Zelda games in order, you can’t skip this one as well.
December 13, 2002
December 13, 2002
The Wind Waker
The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker takes Link on an incredible journey to save his sister. Players discover various islands, a talking boat, a pirate captain who is a reincarnation of Princess Zelda, and many enemies. With the help of his new allies, Link tries to defeat the evil sorcerer Ganon.
November 4, 2004
November 4, 2004
The Minish Cap
The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap explores the unseen part of Hyrule. Ezlo, a magical talking cap, shrinks Link to the size of a Minish. Basically, Minish is a bug-sized race living in Hyrule for a long time. So, this time, our favorite protagonist explores something entirely new in the magical world.
September 2, 2006
September 2, 2006
Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland
This one doesn’t directly fall in The Legend of Zelda time as it is a spinoff of the main Zelda series. Instead of Link, it stars Tingle, who appears in several Legend of Zelda games. If you want to follow only the Legend of Zelda story, then you can skip this one. However, if you are hellbent on playing all Legend of Zelda games in order, go ahead and play this one as well.
November 19, 2006
November 19, 2006
Twilight Princess
The events of Twilight Princess take place hundreds of years after Ocarina of Time. In the game, Link prevents Twilight Realm, a parallel dimension, from eating Hyrule. Also, in Twilight Princess, Link takes on the form of a Hylian and a Wolf. So, this is one of the best Zelda games you should play if you’re exploring Zelda games in order of release.
June 23, 2007
June 23, 2007
Phantom Hourglass
The events of Twilight Princess take place hundreds of years after Ocarina of Time. In the game, Link prevents Twilight Realm, a parallel dimension, from eating Hyrule. Also, in Twilight Princess, Link takes on the form of a Hylian and a Wolf. So, this is one of the best Zelda games you should play if you’re exploring Zelda games in order of release.
November 18, 2011
November 18, 2011
Skyward Sword
Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword in November 2011. The sixteenth major entry in the Legend of Zelda timeline, Skyward Sword takes Link to the floating island of Skyloft. Here, Link solves puzzles and defeats enemies to save princess Zelda while also discovering the origin of Skyward Sword.
November 22, 2013
November 22, 2013
A Link Between Worlds
A Link Between Worlds is the seventeenth video game to play if you’re exploring Zelda games in order. The events of A Link Between Worlds occur after The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Link tries to restore everything back to normal in Hyrule while also saving princess Zelda from the sorcerer Yuga, who wants to bring Demon king Ganon back to life.
August 14, 2014
August 14, 2014
Hyrule Warriors
The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Warriors is a hack and slash game developed by Omega Force and Team Ninja for Wii U. Of course, Hyrule Warriors is one of those Zelda games that doesn’t contribute anything to Zelda games timeline. However, it is one heck of a fighting game in which Link engages in Melee combat against several villains in Zelda games.
October 22, 2015
October 22, 2015
Tri Force Heroes
Developed for Nintendo 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes features the multiplayer campaign, similar to Four Swords and Four Sword Adventure. The game’s protagonist is Link from A Link Between Worlds, who is called upon by two other Links to save the kingdom of Hytopia.
March 3, 2017
March 3, 2017
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
In 2021, Breath Of The Wild is the last Zelda game you play to complete the Legend of Zelda games timeline. Released for Nintendo Switch and Wii, Breath of The Wild follows Link’s story, who awakens after 100 years to defeat Ganon and save the kingdom of Hyrule once again. The massive and astonishing open-world of Breath Of The Wild inspired other modern video games such as Genshin Impact and Ubisoft’s Immortals Fenyx Rising. Honestly, Breath Of The Wild is the ultimate reward of playing Zelda games in order.
Enjoy Playing The Legend Of Zelda Games In Order
So this was the complete Legend of Zelda timeline in 2021. If you are a Legend of Zelda fan waiting for Breath Of The Wild 2, maybe playing all Zelda games in order will keep you busy for a while.
