The Legend of Zelda... Linked or not Linked???

[Linksquest]

The Legend of Zelda, one of Nintendo's most beloved and followed series has numerous games in the saga. Some of them are direct sequels to one another like Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. But others, seem to appear out of nowhere, and have no link at all to the others in the series.

There are two major schools of thought here.

1) The games all follow a timeline, each game falls someplace on this timeline, and although games may not allude to each other, there are links there. Although games are created out of order, Miyamoto and the Zelda team consiously are making the games this way.

2) The games are made at random. The first game was such a success that they made another one. Miyamoto and his team didn't consiously try to make a connection between the games until later in the series: namely OoT.

What is your opinion. Are you part of school 1, 2, or do you have your own opinions on the game?

[Nate]

Actually there is a third school of thought, the One Link theory. This states that the Link in every Zelda game is the SAME Link (!) and through time travel through the power of the Triforce or whatnot...whatever. Obviously I don't believe that one.

I read a site on this, and it tried to put the Zelda games in a cohesive order, which I like. Obviously OoT is the first since Ganon is still Ganondorf, with Majora's Mask following. After that is probably A Link to the Past (with Link's Awakening happening at any point after that), then probably the first Zelda game and obviously the second, with Seasons/Time happening anywhere after that.

The problems...

First of all, Wind Waker. This throws off that theory a LOT because Hyrule was flooded, and it can never be restored according to the ending. This would mean that Wind Waker would have to happen after the second one. Problem is, why would it allude to the Hero of Time if there were so many heroes after that? Plus it wouldn't make sense as Ganon would have been resurrected quite a few times since OoT if that were the case.

Second, if A Link to the Past happens before the first one, I'm confused. At the end of LttP, Link got the unified Triforce, right? So then how did Ganon get a hold of the Triforce of Power in the first Zelda? For that matter, what happened to the Triforce of Courage?

I'd like to believe they all follow a single timeline, I really would, but there's just too much problems with trying to do that.

[TroutNinja]

Wind Waker.. well you could say that the Hero of Time refers to the person who appeared in the Legend of Zelda II.. I think it just says 'A hero.' As for the time when the Hero did not arrive.. that was simply a game over.

As for LttP, Link didn't wish for eternal life or anything, so being the good guy he is he probably put it back and went off to marry Zelda or something. Then Ganon, having again broken through the void now knows where to go and what to do to get the Triforce, so you get original Legend of Zelda. Triforce of Courage, same deal. Once he finished his quest, he gave it back.

I'm just rationalizing.. I believe that the only related games are OoT and MM.

[skynes]

At hyrulefantasy.com we're putting together a section of the site, a sub-site actually called Legend of Hyrule where we put together theories and ideas to try and find how the whole series plugs together, if it all.

[Azier the Swordsman]

Alternate Universes would be most likely, most games I think are in the main universe, but as kaemmerite pointed out, it could create some serious plot holes assuming it's all the same universe. So I think alternate universes would be the most plausible theory.

[Debitt]

This "linked or not linked" (ba dum pish, ha ha) things has been bothering me for quite a while. xD

Actually, my friend has an interesting theory involving OoT and the Windwaker that I think could be rather plausible. In OoT, Ganondorf mentioned that Link's family will be "cursed", linking the flooding of Hyrule to, well....Link and his ancestors. (trying not to make so many bad puns) I've got reason to hope (or, maybe believe) that the new Zelda that's on the way may explain how Hyrule was flooded, therefore providing the missing link between OoT and the Windwaker. ...so many bad puns, it's not fair. u_u;

[uc pseudonym]

The realist in me: They're nothing more than continual sequels of popular games. Good sequels, but they exist to create money, not a comprehensive plot.

The writer in me: They can, however, be worked into a single storyline, with quite a bit of work.

The scientist in me: Alternate universes. Most definitely.

[Raiden no Kishi]

I would say they're all different ways of telling the same basic story, aside from "side stories" like Oracle of Ages/Seasons, Majora's Mask, etc where Link isn't necessarily hunting Ganon and the Triforce (feel free to correct me, I don't play much Zelda).

Rai

[skynes]

OOT, MM and WW are connected.

in OOT Link beats Ganon and he gets locked up in Time.
In MM Link leaves Hyrule when he falls down the tree stump thing. this causes the Triforce of Courage to shatter. Thus the balance between Courage, Wisdom and Power was broken. Power becoming dominant Ganon is able to free himself.

In order to stop world takeovers Hyrule gets flooded and centuries pass.

[Nate]

Interesting note.

Take the world map for Oot and LttP and look at 'em side by side (you kinda have to tilt OoT's map to the side though). Aside from Hyrule Castle being a little too high up, the two maps are almost identical! The one from the first Zelda is kinda similar, but there's just too much stuff in the wrong places for that to work.

[uc pseudonym]

Are you sure? If so, that would be very interesting, but if I recall correctly LttP featured a forest in the upper left hand corner, and the Kokiri Forest of OoT is in the lower right.

[samurai1986]

I just play the game because they are awesome. Except for the cel-shaded ones but that's another topic. Whether they are connected or not is not of importance to me although one theory that might explain it is that they take place in parellel universes. Oh and I can't wait for the next one for Game Cube. I just watched the video and it looks AWESOME!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

it's just a plothole... there IS a timeline, but miyamoto messed up a little

[Linksquest]

yeah... you're right... or maybe not... lol... but i do agree with you... plot holes are def there