The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes place in the official Zelda timeline, but when is it set in relation to Zelda: Breath of the Wild? This guide will help you understand where Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom fits in the Zelda timeline.
When is Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom set?
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom takes place directly after the events of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. While the world of Hyrule has drastically changed in appearance, returning characters indicate that only a few years have passed since the events of Breath of the Wild.
In Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you’ll encounter characters from Breath of the Wild, like Prince Sidon. Prince Sidon has grown since you met him in Breath of the Wild and is now the ruler of the Zora.
The four champions in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom indicate when the game is set in relation to Breath of the Wild, but what about the wider Zelda timeline?
When does Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom take place in the timeline?
The 2023 Zelda timeline has changed following Tears of the Kingdom. Here’s how it now looks:
Beginning Timeline
This is the timeline that begins the entire The Legend of Zelda saga, concluding with Ocarina of Time where it branches off into three different continuities.
- Skyward Sword
- Minish Cap
- Four Swords
- Ocarina of Time
Decline Timeline
This timeline takes place if Ganon defeats Link at the end of Ocarina of Time, spawning an “alternate reality.”
- A Link to the Past
- Link’s Awakening
- Oracle of Seasons & Oracle of Ages
- A Link Between Worlds
- Tri Force Heroes
- The Legend of Zelda
- The Adventure of Link
Child Timeline
This timeline takes place following the Child Ending of Ocarina of Time.
- Majora’s Mask
- Twilight Princess
- Four Swords Adventures
Adult Timeline
This timeline takes place following the Adult Ending of Ocarina of Time.
- The Wind Waker
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
New Timeline
Breath of the Wild brought all previous timelines together, and Tears of the Kingdom takes place within this new timeline.
- Breath of the Wild
- Tears of the Kingdom
A while back, Nintendo revealed that Breath of the Wild takes place “several hundred years” after other Zelda games, so there isn’t much that connects the game to its predecessors. Therefore, Tears of the Kingdom is set right at the end of the Zelda timeline.
Now that you know when it’s set, you’re ready to start Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This guide will help you figure out where to go after unlocking Skyview Towers, and here’s how to unlock Link’s horse, Epona.
