Recommended Free Tools
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the fourth game in Nintendo’s shared pre-branch history, following Skyward Sword, The Minish Cap and Four Swords. It is the hinge of the published chronology: after its events, Nintendo shows three outcomes—Hero defeated, Hero triumphant in the Child Era, and Hero triumphant in the Adult Era.
That split is a chronology framework, not three endings you select from a Nintendo 64 menu. The current Nintendo chart then places Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom in a later block without identifying which Ocarina branch leads to them. Here is the sequence, what the time travel means inside the game, and how the printed timeline books relate to Nintendo’s current chart.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhere does Ocarina of Time fit in the Zelda timeline?
It comes immediately after Four Swords in Nintendo’s shared history. Nintendo’s chart also marks the Hyrulean Civil War before the game, making Ocarina of Time the point at which the unified chronology reaches its major split.
| Position | Game or event | What Nintendo’s chart establishes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skyward Sword | First game in the pictured shared sequence |
| 2 | The Minish Cap | Follows Skyward Sword |
| 3 | Four Swords | Follows The Minish Cap |
| Before the hinge | Hyrulean Civil War | Marked before Ocarina of Time |
| 4 | Ocarina of Time | Last game before the three-way post-game chronology |
You can see this placement on Nintendo’s official Zelda history chart. “Fourth” refers to the pictured game order, not to the release order of the series.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How does time travel work inside Ocarina of Time?
The game’s internal time travel and the later timeline branches are related, but they are not the same thing. During the adventure, Link moves between childhood and adulthood; the instruction manual explains that he ages seven years and can travel between those two periods.
Nintendo’s manual states, “This time travel is necessary for you to progress through your adventure.” That sentence describes the mechanics and story structure inside Ocarina of Time: some actions occur as child Link, others as adult Link, and the player moves between the eras to advance.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The manual’s seven-year figure describes Link’s in-game aging, not a seven-year gap between separate releases or a real-world date. The chronology chart uses the game’s outcome to describe what follows, so do not treat every trip through the Temple of Time as a new universe. The manual is available as a publisher document at Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time instruction manual.
Why are there three Zelda timelines after Ocarina of Time?
Nintendo’s chart presents three post-Ocarina outcomes: a defeated-hero continuity, a triumphant Child Era, and a triumphant Adult Era. A specialist chronology explains the victorious lines as the childhood Link returns to and the future he leaves behind; that explanatory language helps connect the chart to the game’s time-travel ending, but it should not be mistaken for a label printed beside every narrative detail on Nintendo’s graphic.
| Branch shown by Nintendo | Outcome associated with Ocarina | Named era or event | First subsequent game or event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero defeated | The hero is defeated | Imprisoning War | A Link to the Past |
| Hero triumphant | Triumph in the childhood continuity | Child Era | Majora’s Mask |
| Hero triumphant | Triumph in the adult continuity | Flooding of Hyrule | The Wind Waker |
The defeated-hero line is an official chronology outcome. Nintendo’s chart does not establish that a normal game-over screen in the Nintendo 64 title creates an alternate universe, nor does it ask players to choose a fourth playable ending. The original Nintendo 64 release date—November 21, 1998—is a publication fact, not a date inside Hyrule’s history.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What comes after Ocarina of Time on the defeated-hero branch?
On Nintendo’s current chart, the defeated outcome leads first to the Imprisoning War and then to the following sequence. The two Oracle games are grouped together; the chart does not settle which of those two titles comes first internally.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Imprisoning War: the event named immediately after the defeated outcome.
- A Link to the Past: the first game following that war on the chart.
- Link’s Awakening: placed after A Link to the Past.
- Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons: shown together as the next pair; Nintendo’s graphic does not assign an order between them.
- A Link Between Worlds: follows the Oracle pair.
- Tri Force Heroes: follows A Link Between Worlds.
- Echoes of Wisdom: appears after Tri Force Heroes on this branch, so it is not a pre-Ocarina story.
- Decline of the Kingdom of Hyrule: the chart marks this later condition before the original two-dimensional games.
- The Legend of Zelda and The Adventure of Link: the final pair shown on this line.
This sequence is the reason it is inaccurate to describe Echoes of Wisdom as an earlier-origin story simply because its presentation recalls older games. Its placement on Nintendo’s chart is after Tri Force Heroes.
Which timeline is Majora’s Mask in?
Majora’s Mask begins Nintendo’s Child Era branch. It is followed on that line by Twilight Princess and then Four Swords Adventures.
Child Era sequence
- Majora’s Mask
- Twilight Princess
- Four Swords Adventures
The specialist explanation describes this as the childhood to which Link returns after the events of Ocarina of Time. That explanation does not mean every later protagonist on the branch must be the identical incarnation of Link; the chart identifies a continuity, not a requirement that all heroes share one lifetime.
What comes after Ocarina of Time in the Adult Era?
The Adult Era begins with the flooding of Hyrule, followed by The Wind Waker. Nintendo then places Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks on the same line.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Adult Era sequence
- Flooding of Hyrule: the event that opens the adult-future line.
- The Wind Waker
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
The specialist account describes this as the future Link leaves behind after the time-travel story. It is therefore distinct from the Child Era, even though both lines begin with a triumphant outcome associated with Ocarina of Time.
Which timeline is Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom in?
Nintendo places Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom together in a later block, but the displayed chart does not name one of the three Ocarina branches as their origin. The safest official description is simply “later, branch not specified.”
That placement does not authorize presenting a fan theory as Nintendo’s answer. Do not redraw the chart as a confirmed merger of all three lines, and do not call the pair a definitively named fourth outcome of Ocarina of Time. Nintendo’s graphic gives the games a later position while leaving the originating branch unidentified.
Which Zelda timeline book should you use?
The two major Dark Horse reference books serve different purposes, and neither replaces checking Nintendo’s current online chart for games added after its publication.
| Book | Publisher date | Length | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia hardcover | January 29, 2013 | 276 pages | The physical book explicitly marketed as containing the official chronology |
| The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia hardcover | June 19, 2018 | 328 pages | Expanded lore and timeline material; Dark Horse describes it as “An expansion of information from The Legend of Zelda timeline.” |
See the publisher pages for Hyrule Historia and The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia. The dates and page counts are publisher specifications, not readership or sales measurements.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Edition date matters. Nintendo’s present chart places Link’s Awakening before the Oracle games, while a specialist chronology says Hyrule Historia had placed it after them. Use Nintendo’s current chart for the sequence in this article, and remember that a 2013 book cannot include games released later.
How should you read Nintendo’s Zelda chart?
Read it in three passes so that game mechanics, chronology outcomes and publication history do not get mixed together.
- Read the shared line first. Start at Skyward Sword, continue through The Minish Cap and Four Swords, note the Hyrulean Civil War, and arrive at Ocarina of Time.
- Separate the three outcomes. Follow the defeated-hero line to the Imprisoning War, or follow the triumphant result into the Child Era or Adult Era. These are the chart’s continuities, not buttons the player selects after finishing the Nintendo 64 game.
- Check the later block independently. Treat Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom as later entries whose originating branch Nintendo has not identified on the displayed chart.
- Use books with their edition dates. A printed chronology is a snapshot of what was known and published at that time; later online chart updates can add games or alter sequence details.
This method keeps the most common confusions apart: Link’s seven-year in-game time travel is a gameplay necessity, the defeated line is an official chronology outcome rather than a game-over trick, and the later open placement of Breath of the Wild is not a confirmation of any single fan theory.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Frequently asked questions
Are Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons in a fixed order?
Nintendo’s current chart groups the two Oracle titles together without specifying which one precedes the other. Any more precise internal ordering comes from interpretations or other editions, not from the ordering shown in that graphic.
Can Hyrule Historia include Echoes of Wisdom?
No. The hardcover is dated January 29, 2013, years before Echoes of Wisdom. For that game’s placement, consult Nintendo’s current chart, which puts it after Tri Force Heroes on the defeated-hero branch.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Is November 21, 1998 a date in Zelda’s fictional history?
No. That is Nintendo’s release date for the original Nintendo 64 game. It tells you when players received the title, not when the events of Hyrule occurred.
Do all games in the Child Era star the same Link?
The branch indicates continuity after the childhood outcome of Ocarina of Time, but Nintendo’s chart does not require every later protagonist to be the same individual. Treat each game’s hero identity as a separate narrative question rather than inferring it from the branch name alone.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Should I play the games in timeline order?
Timeline order is useful for studying Nintendo’s chronology, but the games were released across different hardware generations and were designed to stand on their own. If you want to understand the split specifically, playing Ocarina of Time before following one branch makes the chart’s structure easier to recognize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons in a fixed order?
Nintendo’s current chart groups the two Oracle titles together without specifying which one precedes the other. Any more precise internal ordering comes from interpretations or other editions, not from the ordering shown in that graphic.
Can Hyrule Historia include Echoes of Wisdom?
No. The hardcover is dated January 29, 2013, years before Echoes of Wisdom. For that game’s placement, consult Nintendo’s current chart, which puts it after Tri Force Heroes on the defeated-hero branch.
Is November 21, 1998 a date in Zelda’s fictional history?
No. That is Nintendo’s release date for the original Nintendo 64 game. It tells you when players received the title, not when the events of Hyrule occurred.
Do all games in the Child Era star the same Link?
The branch indicates continuity after the childhood outcome of Ocarina of Time, but Nintendo’s chart does not require every later protagonist to be the same individual. Treat each game’s hero identity as a separate narrative question rather than inferring it from the branch name alone.
Should I play the games in timeline order?
Timeline order is useful for studying Nintendo’s chronology, but the games were released across different hardware generations and were designed to stand on their own. If you want to understand the split specifically, playing Ocarina of Time before following one branch makes the chart’s structure easier to recognize.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
