Zelda Theory: BOTW & Tears Of The Kingdom Are Actually A New Timeline

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and have left players wondering where on the franchise's complicated timeline they're set. gives very few hints about its time period relative to other games, although it seems like it could be far into the future considering what information is given. The trailers and information given about 's timeline placement haven't offered any extra insight about its location on the timeline either.

Once the timeline reaches, it splits into three timelines that vary based on Link's success or failure in handling Ganondorf. While can revisit classic locations from the franchise, familiar settings, items, and characters aren't enough to help figure out the time period of and its sequel. It's possible that these two games are beyond the timeline of, adding another layer of complexity to the connections between all the games.

Related: Zelda: It's Time To Say Goodbye To Link's Iconic Tunic (For Good)

There's information in that makes it difficult to place it on the current timeline or any of its branches. The Calamities that are mentioned happen thousands of years apart, and if both involved Calamity Ganon, then it's unlikely that Ganondorf appeared in the time between to allow to be placed at the end of the timeline, which might contradict the First Calamity being the Interloper War theory. Additionally, if Ganondorf appeared and caused problems like flooding Hyrule or the Hero of Time appeared in the time between the Calamities, it seems odd that there's no mention of such events.

The scope of 's story and the events included within make it difficult for it to line up on the official timeline, which could mean that it exists separately from the universe of the other games in the franchise. With how complex the timeline is, putting