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For anyone familiar with the deeply confusing Legend of Zelda timeline, you’ll know there are some multiverse shenanigans that make it difficult to track where an instalment falls in the official franchise’s universe. However, Nintendo has finally confirmed Echoes of Wisdom’s place in the timeline with its useful infographic.
The Zelda timeline diverges after Ocarina of Time, with one timeline emerging from Link’s defeat at the hands of Ganondorf and one in which Link beats the villain. They’re typically referred to as ‘The Hero is defeated’ and ‘The Hero is triumphant’ timelines by those who like to keep track. Then, the Switch instalments, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, have their own entirely separate timeline, much to the dismay of some diehard fans.
Echoes of Wisdom, the latest instalment, and one in which you can play the titular character of Zelda for the first time has finally been given its spot in the timeline. It’s found in the ‘The Hero is Defeated’ timeline, taking place before the very first Legend of Zelda (1986) game and after the 3DS Tri Force Heroes instalment (2015). It’s set right before the ‘Decline of Hyrule Kingdom’ era of the games, which includes the first game and The Adventures of Link, released in 1987.
Here’s Nintendo’s official description of the game in its official franchise timeline:
The hero Link sets out to rescue Princess Zelda, who was captured by Ganon. Following a fierce battle, Link defeats Ganon, only to be swallowed up by an eerie rift. It was as if he’d been stolen away…All across Hyrule, more mysterious rifts are forming and taking the people of Hyrule away. Nobody is safe—not even the king himself and his advisers, who have also gone missing. Princess Zelda must set out on an adventure to save her father—the king of Hyrule—the people, and Link.
So fans can now rest easy knowing that Echoes of Wisdom is canon and has its spot in the ever-confusing Zeldaverse! That being said, producer Eiji Aonuma has hinted that the Zelda timeline shouldn’t be this sacred, suggesting that it “can kind of box [them] in and limit where [they’re] able to take the story“. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have already been given their own timeline, so what’s stopping them from doing it again in the future?
