Zelda’s Timeline Twist: How Tears of the Kingdom and Skyward Sword Connect!

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The saga of The Legend of Zelda is eagerly anticipating a fresh installment for the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, but its time spent with the initial Switch has been nothing short of productive. Games like Breath of the Wild, Echoes of Wisdom, and everything in between, such as Tears of the Kingdom and Skyward Sword HD, have made for an unforgettable period in the already-established Nintendo franchise. Particularly noteworthy are Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which revolutionized a completely new open-world style of Zelda, while Skyward Sword and Echoes of Wisdom reintroduced some characteristics that marked the series’ golden age.

Independent of a specific player’s taste, there are appealing aspects to the Nintendo Switch’s Legend of Zelda series, and this isn’t solely due to the unique mechanics in these games. The remastered version of Skyward Sword and the narrative connections between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom mean that you can play what seem to be the earliest and latest entries in the Zelda timeline on the Nintendo Switch. It’s an interesting coincidence that this collection of Zelda games forms a timeline, but delving into the individual titles reveals a peculiar trait that makes their shared beginning and end somewhat odd.

Futuristic Precursor Tech Unites Tears of the Kingdom and Skyward Sword

Both Zelda Games Place The Future In The Past, Despite Their Own Settings

One standout feature of “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword” is its status as a prequel for all “Zelda” games, creating a central mythology that lays the foundation for the classic narrative involving Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf. Similarly, “Breath of the Wild” positions itself at the terminus of every “Zelda” timeline, with other games residing in an undefined “Era of Myth.” Following this pattern, “Tears of the Kingdom” has inherited this position, though some fans debate its placement within any timeline. However, it’s accurate to say that as of now, “Tears of the Kingdom” stands as the latest entry in the “Zelda” series’ chronology.

In both games, Skyward Sword and Tears of the Kingdom, there’s a focus on ancient technology, which seems contradictory given their supposed placement at opposite ends of the Zelda timeline. The dungeons in Skyward Sword incorporate a time-shifting mechanic that takes us to an advanced past in the Lanayru Desert, while Tears of the Kingdom presents Zonai technology that could potentially be older than its own depicted ancient past. This shared emphasis on old tech makes the narrative of these games a bit puzzling.

How Out-Of-Place Technology Factors Into Zelda’s Chronological Extremes

In many fantasy worlds set in medieval times, there is often an unexpected presence of advanced technology that harks back to ancient myths such as Hephaestus. This isn’t unusual when seen in various Zelda games. What is surprising, however, is that both Skyward Sword and Tears of the Kingdom, which are deeply rooted in the timeline of the Zelda series, introduce cultures and technology that even predate them. It may seem a bit paradoxical, but it does add an amusing twist when trying to decipher the chronology of events.

TotK and Skyward Sword Make Their Ancient Tech Interesting

The game “Skyward Sword” has been in a delicate position since it isn’t the initial storyline featuring a Hylian hero, the Goddess Hylia, and Demon King Demise, and adding ancient technology to the mix might have just been Nintendo designers trying to keep things fresh. However, the Lanayru region, particularly the Sandship dungeon, was appreciated, and it seems that “Tears of the Kingdom”‘s Imprisoning War era will also gain positive feedback due to its upcoming “Hyrule Warriors” spin-off. It may seem strange that both “Tears of the Kingdom” and “Skyward Sword” delve into the series’ past and future, but at least it keeps things interesting.

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2025-04-14 15:36