Have you ever wondered how the nearly 40-year journey of Link‘s heroic adventures across the kingdom of Hyrule began? From side scrolling 2D battles with Moblins to open world exploration across grassy plains, this comprehensive guide will chronicle the complete history of the groundbreaking Legend of Zelda video game franchise.
We’ll overview the storyline and gameplay innovations introduced in each core title, analyze the fictional universe guiding Princess Zelda and Link‘s eternal struggle against the demon thief Ganondorf across generations, and provide the definitive timeline clearly laying out how all 19 games fit together as one sprawling cross-generational fantasy epic for the ages. Strap on your Deku Shield and grab some red potion as we adventure through the past and future of the greatest action-adventure series ever created!
The Evolution of the Zelda Series Across Five Console Generations
When the original Legend of Zelda first transported gamers to the kingdom of Hyrule in 1986, its open game design was revolutionary…
Key Gameplay Innovation Callouts for Each Title
- Top-down 2D world with an unprecedented scale of free-roaming exploration
- Carefully buried secrets to make every screenworth of landscape feel mysteriously alive
- Grid-based inventory system that popularlized equipment管理genre standards
- Context-sensitive button that made interacting with people/objects incredibly intuitive
The Adventure of Link (1987)
- Ambitious side-scrolling platforming levels that divided fans
- Addition of RPG elements like experience points and spells
- Elaborate palaces deeper and more maze-like than prior dungeons
A Link to the Past (1991)
- Buttery-smooth 60 FPS animation brought combat and puzzles to life
- Parallel dark and light world concept doubled the scope…
The Minish Cap (2004)
- Shrinking magic incorporated scale in clever puzzling ways
- Figurines to collect andfuse powered up Link‘s gear
- introduction of legendary Four Sword that created dark shadow Link clones
The Story of Hyrule – Creation Myths to Calamity Ganon
As you guide Link across lush forests, searing volcanoes, and ghost ship graveyards in his quest to rescue Princess Zelda from the forces of evil, you may be wondering about the backstory behind Hyrule’s creation, the eternal struggle for the all-powerful Triforce relics, and why so many pigs are hellbent on domination…
The Ancient Age
- Three golden Goddesses Din, Nayru, and Farore descend to shape a chaotic land into Hyrule and the realm that shall house the Triforce
- Demise wages war to steal control of the Triforce in the era of Hylia, an ancestral incarnation of Princess Zelda
Skyward Sword Era
- Goddess Hylia gathers survivors on floating islands in the sky to protect Triforce after Demise lays waste to surface lands
The Last Hero Defeated by Evil
- In one branch of the timeline, Ganondorf defeats the Hero of Time Link as an adult, leading to Imprisoning War
- Sages seal Ganondorf, now transformed into beast Ganon, along with Triforce of Power…
The Complete Legend of Zelda Timeline From Skyward Sword to Breath of the Wild
While fans debated connections between Zelda games for decades, the official Hyrule Hystoria book in 2011 cemented the chronology:
Skyward Sword Era (Origin Story)
- Skyward Sword (2011) – Goddess sword, Skyloft created
"Hero Defeated" Timeline
- Ocarina of Time (1998) – Link killed by Ganondorf
- A Link to the Past (1991) – Backstory of ancient Seven Sages and Knights of Hyrule
Breath of the Wild (2017)
- Massive open world exploration with climbable surfaces
- Post-apocalyptic sci-fi technology like rune magic
- Possible convergence of timelines with references to events of all past games
So while the intricately braided Zelda timeline may seem confusing initially, I hope diagramming the exact placement of each adventure within Hyrule‘s extensive history helps everything click together. Just remember that through official chronology or not, the spirit of Tankey graphics and swordplay lives on from the 80s to modern age!
Impact and Legacy of the Greatest Video Game Series Ever
Even those unfamiliar with Link‘s epic fantasy adventures likely recognize the Zelda series as iconic. The musical chime when uncovering a hidden cave. Devious boss battles culminating in emerging triumphant from stone mouths. An entire genre defined by free-roaming dungeon crawls and incremental gear progression.
But beyond the surface magic lies an unparalleled pedigree…
- Ocarina of Time features the highest average review score in Guinness Book of World Records
- As progenitor of action-adventure category, Zelda influenced countless Hall of Fame games from Elder Scrolls to Dark Souls
- Cultural relevance so extensive the legendary Franchise spawned a short-lived 90s TV show…
So whether you grew up vigorously blowing NES cartridges or Breath of the Wild‘s climbing freedom was your first Link encounter, the endless ingenuity guiding almost 40 years of Zelda should fill any gamer‘s heart with pride and awe. Just don‘t get too close to cuccos – those chickens have quite the temper!
