Nintendo confirms that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom exist outside the established Zelda timeline. This announcement was made at Nintendo Live 2024 in Sydney, Australia.
A Separate Timeline for BotW and TotK
The revelation significantly alters the established Zelda timeline. Nintendo's presentation explicitly showed Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom as separate entries, unconnected to the previously established timelines.
The traditional Zelda timeline, originating with Skyward Sword and branching after Ocarina of Time, divides into the "Hero is Defeated" and "Hero is Triumphant" timelines. The latter further splits into "Adult" and "Child" timelines. However, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom stand apart from this established structure.
This departure adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate Zelda lore. The book The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Creating a Champion hints at the cyclical nature of Hyrule's history, suggesting that distinguishing between legend and fact is challenging, further complicating the placement of these titles within the broader narrative. The book states: "Hyrule’s recurring periods of prosperity and decline have made it impossible to tell which legends are historical fact and which are mere fairy tale." This ambiguity reinforces the unique position of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom within the Zelda universe.
