Nintendo Unveils Echoes of Wisdom’s Position in The Legend of Zelda Timeline

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The latest addition to The Legend of Zelda series, “Echoes of Wisdom,” has found its spot in the official Zelda timeline between “Tri Force Heroes” and the original 1986 “Legend of Zelda.” It’s set within the “Hero is defeated” timeline, a narrative pathway where Link fails to conquer Ganon in “Ocarina of Time.”

“The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” carves out a unique slot in the series’ timeline, placing itself neatly between “Tri Force Heroes” and the classic original. Though its art style shares similarities with the “Link’s Awakening” remake, don’t mistake Echoes of Wisdom for a direct continuation. It resides in the same timeline branch but unfolds much later in the chronology.

Whenever a Zelda game hits the shelves, fans eagerly pry into where it might fit into the sprawling series canon. Nintendo does offer its own official timeline, though this often sparks debates with fans who concoct alternate theories that sometimes make more sense. Even the series’ own director has admitted that gameplay takes precedence over narrative, suggesting Nintendo might not be as invested in the timeline as the players are. Nonetheless, locating where Echoes of Wisdom slots in the timeline is crucial for many devoted fans.

In its release on September 26, Echoes of Wisdom initially left fans puzzled about its place in Zelda lore. With the recent update to Nintendo’s official Zelda history page, it’s been confirmed that Echoes finds its home in the “Hero is defeated” timeline. This particular timeline imagines a universe where Link failed in his quest against Ganon during “Ocarina of Time.” Specifically, Echoes occurs after “Tri Force Heroes,” establishing a chronological gap that spans three games between it and “Link’s Awakening,” the game from which it draws artistic inspiration.

Echoes of Wisdom acts as a kind of prequel to the original “Legend of Zelda” from 1986, but it stands at a significant distance. The official timeline suggests a period marked as the “decline of Hyrule” between the two games, indicating that a notable part of the Zelda lore occurs post-Echoes and pre-original Zelda. This age of decline, already a key element of the series lore, was previously thought to include Echoes. Now, we can see it’s where the storyline slides in, just ahead of Hyrule’s downfall.

For those who followed the clues, Echoes of Wisdom’s timeline position might not come as a massive shock. It syncs with some earlier speculations, though not flawlessly. The way the game portrays the Triforce as an enigmatic, scarcely-known force seems more appropriate for the “adult timeline” than the “downfall line.” Yet, this type of inconsistency isn’t unique to Echoes. Many equally perplexing elements exist within the Zelda timeline, likely because Nintendo focuses on delivering enjoyable gameplay experiences rather than adhering strictly to timeline continuity. At the very least, fans can rest easy knowing the canonical position of the game is no longer up for debate.