Fans of the Legend of Zelda series have been puzzled by the strangely composed Zelda canon for years now. While assured by Nintendo that there was, in fact, a logical continuity between games, the actual order has been a mystery for some time. But with the release of the most recent Zelda book in Japan, it is a mystery no longer.

 

Zelda historians had already figured that there was a split in the Zelda timeline, depending on if Link decided to go back to being a child after defeating Gannon in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, or if he chose to stay an adult. While that assumption solved a lot of continuity hiccups, it hadn't solved everything. But now, Nintendo revealed there to be a third timeline, where Link fails to defeat Gannon at all during the events of Ocarina of Time.

 

That's right - Nintendo made your death in the Water Temple official. The actual order of the games, for those interested, is as follows:

 

Before the Timeline Split:

 

1. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

2. The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap

3. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

 

Then, if Link fails to stop Gannon:

 

5. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

6. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages

7. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

8. The Legend of Zelda

9. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

 

This is the alternate timeline if Link chooses to stay an adult:

 

5. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

7. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

 

Finally, the timeline for if he decides to go back and enjoy his childhood:

 

5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

6. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

7. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

 

No news on where the Phillip CDI games fit in, although I would suggest you file them into your wastebasket.