One of the most hilariously controversial debates surround The Legend of Zelda is the question of whether or not there's an official timeline. More fuel's been thrown on the fire with Nintendo's Dan Owsen revealing that Nintnedo has a timeline, hidden away under lock and key.
"You know, at one point we had drafted a timeline and wanted to make it available online," he said. "We showed it to the guys in Japan and they basically told us that it would be best if we didn’t post it. They do have a timeline that has continuity between the games but they wanted to keep it open for how each player views the chronology of the series. There are a lot of connections between the games, but they do have a timeline that has continuity. It’s up to the player to place all the pieces together.
"... The developers feel that posting a full narrative would take away from the players’ imagination. Part of what makes the series so special is the legend that spans across the series and they wanted to preserve that in the players’ vision. It’s also why they have never given Link a voice. The story is told as if the player is Link. Giving him a voice would eliminate that attachment."
So there you go. Timeline exists. Confirmed for the billionth time. Not that it'll stop the debates, as certain sectors of the Zelda fanbase continue to question its existence with as much enthusiasm as Koichi Sugiyama denying the Nanking Massacre.
Dan Owsen Talks Zelda Timeline [Zelda Dungeon]
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Contest:
1:00 PM on 05.21.2011 | 
They just don't care about maintaining an overall Zelda story.
LoZ
Link to the Past
OoT
Minish Cap
MM
II: Links Adventure
Links Awakening
Oracle of Ages
Twilight Princess
Skyward
Wind Waker.
There. An inconsistent and rubbish timeline only ninty would approve!
I'm like one of the biggest Zelda fans around, and I refuse to believe there is a timeline until they show me said 20 year old, coffee/sake stained document.
How am I supposed to believe that Miyamoto (god among men) PLANNED this series, the same man who thought that Super Mario Galaxy had TOO MUCH STORY which it SOOO didn't...
I don't even get why people care, other than to feel better about how much time they've wasted on this subject.
The Zelda series is practically rebooted with every single game and that's an incredible achievement, there are hardly any elements that carry over and every game is pretty much self contained. If there WAS a timeline, it barely even counts for anything...
Legend of Zelda
Zelda II
A Link to the Past
Link's Awakening
Ocarina of Time
Majora's Mask
Oracle of Ages/Seasons
Wind Waker
Minish Cap
Twilight Princess
Phantom Hourglass
Spirit Tracks
Skyward Sword
Wind Waker ---> Phantom Hourglass ---> Spirit Tracks
Boom.
I never thought of a timeline, but if I had to have one it'd be: new game comes up, play it to death have fun, wait for the next one. THE END.
I also don't think there's a timeline; just a way to keep fans excited.
http://zelda.wikia.com/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Twilight_Princess#Setting - more on this
The bushes and clouds are the same sprite in SMB
SMB3 was actually a play
The connection with the Gamecube menu sound with the Famicom Disk System
Latest Zelda trailer played backwards
I'm betting you Nintendo still have lots of hidden gems that they only know about, which is why every now and then, we hear the same "Ho shit!" easter egg moment that implodes our head.
I'd love to get my hands on this, maybe in the wake of tonights Rapture?
Characterization is important. Storytelling is important. But the contents of the story it self? Not really that big of a big deal.
Ok, I probably shouldn't make a trollish comment like that in regard to this post. I am so full of fail right now, and I am ashamed of myself.
The same way open ended ending in movies or especially anime are cop outs too.
I like how it looks like a sword.
Yeah I really don't get all the Twilight Princess hate either. The bosses were a bit on the easy side .... but I can't really recall a Zelda boss in the last hand full of games that has been super challenging.
The Zelda series definitely shines in one key area and that is that they are one of the few games that I consistently finish. Where as other series are more hit and miss.
As to the time line .... it would be interesting to know but meh they are fun regardless.
Except making him a kid in Wind Waker/etc is what ruined that (wanted to preserve that in the players’ vision) for me. So just give him a damned voice and tell us the time line.
The original Legend of Zelda, it's sequel and Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask?
WHAT'S THAT?