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Tears of Kingdom Breaks Free from Zelda’s Past

At Nintendo Live 2024 in Sydney, an updated timeline display caught the attention of many fans. The most recent entries in the series, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, now appear as standalone games, disconnected from the established Zelda continuity.

This change shows a new direction from Nintendo’s previous efforts to create a complex narrative tapestry connecting the various Zelda titles. For years, the company maintained an intricate timeline that split into multiple branches following the events of Ocarina of Time.

The idea of a cyclical narrative, where Link, Zelda, and Ganon are reborn to face familiar challenges, resonates more strongly with the spirit of the series. It allows for greater creative freedom in storytelling without the constraints of strict continuity.

Some fans might be disappointed by this change, but it’s a chance to enjoy each Zelda game’s unique story and gameplay. The Legend of Zelda has always been about adventure and discovery, which doesn’t need a strict timeline to work.

The upcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Works in Japan may provide new insights into how Nintendo views the connections between games.

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