There are three main branches of the Zelda timeline which split from one another after the events of Ocarina of Time . BOTW ’s developers have ambiguously stated that the game takes place at the end of the Zelda timeline, though the exact branch it belongs in remains to be confirmed. Bits and pieces of lore referenced in BOTW and TOTK ’s trailers thus far seem to include details from all three branches, potentially implying that these games will be connected to the timeline in its entirety. A full playthrough of every single mainline Zelda game before TOTK ’s release would be a near-impossible feat, but Zelda fans should be sure to revisit these major tit

Fans of The Legend of Zelda ** have yet to figure out exactly why the title of the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom ** was kept secret for its alleged spoiler potential, but the name may actually be a hint about Zelda’s hidden power. The fate of Hyrule was set into motion by the Goddess Hylia long before the events of Breath of the Wild , and TOTK ’s title could be an indication that the Goddess’ namesake kingdom will soon see her return. While Princess Zelda struggled to awaken her sacred sealing power during the battle against Calamity Ganon, BOTW ’s upcoming sequel may yet reveal the full extent of her hidden potent

These connections may seem arbitrary to analyze, but Tears of the Kingdom’s title may follow a similar pattern if its story does focus on Zelda. Zelda’s Triforce of Wisdom associates her with Nayru's element of water, which would draw a parallel between "tears" and "breath" in the games’ two titles. As the last surviving member of the royal family, Zelda can be considered the representative of her kingdom, so it makes sense to assume that " Tears of the Kingdom " may refer to her tragic story. However, while piecing these parallels together may not feel like much of a spoiler on the surface, the implications that lie deeper within Zelda’s timeline reveal a major potential plot line in BOTW's upcoming seq

King Bulblin is a minor antagonist in Twilight Princess . He's the one who first kidnaps the children from Kakariko Village and indirectly sets up the rest of the plot. Link battles him many times throughout the game, both on horseback - with King Bulblin riding Lord Bullbo - and on foot. He's a loyal servant of Zant, and his Bulblin minions frequently act as minor enemies on Link's quest. Although he may seem evil, during his last encounter with Link and Midna, he gives them a Small Key and joins their side, stating that he was simply following whoever was strongest as it's all he's ever kn

If Hyrule is indeed enveloped by Malice in Tears of the Kingdom , it could change the game drastically. Just like it corrupted the Guardians and Divine Beasts in BOTW , Malice may turn regular animals such as boar and deer into hostile monsters, and may do the same to sentient species like Hylians and Rito. It's established that Malice has the capability to do this since it happened to Naydra in BOTW , and in the very first TOTK trailer , it flows over a rat, which could be another hint that it will corrupt the various inhabitants of Hyrule in BOTW Nintendo Switch 2 Controversy and turn them into powerful enemies and bosses . If this possibility proves true, the game may be much harder than BOTW was due to a lack of people to work at shops and inns, though it's still possible for these services to be pres

Ocarina of Time is often considered to be the definitive Zelda game as it introduced much of the series’ most important lore while simultaneously splitting its timeline. Ocarina ’s use of time travel via the Ocarina of Time, the Master Sword, and the Door of Time opened the path to the Sacred Realm, allowing Ganondorf to enter and claim the Triforce. Depending on the outcome of Link’s final battle against Demon King Ganon, the timeline splits into three distinct branches, any of which could be relevant again in TO

If the Zonai tribe returns in TOTK , it’s possible that the many timeline mysteries raised by Twilight Princess’ plot may finally be resolved. This ancient tribe may even be connected to the Interloper War that threw Hyrule into a state of chaos in the years following Hyrule’s establishment sometime after Skyward Sword , which could have resulted in their imprisonment in the Twilight Realm. While any potential connections between the Zonai and Twili have yet to be confirmed, it would explain both the vanishing of the Zonai and the mysterious origins of the Twili in an ancient era closer to Hyrule’s founding. In any case, it seems likely that Twilight Princess’ plot and lore will be relevant again in Tears of the Kingdom , making it a must-play for fans hoping to catch up on **The Legend of Zelda ** l

If Link falls in battle at the end of Ocarina of Time , the Demon King is free to claim the Triforce and lay waste to Hyrule until the Seven Sages successfully seal Ganon inside the Sacred Realm . If Link is victorious, Princess Zelda uses the Ocarina to send him back to his original era, breaking the timeline into two separate paths as the Triforce’s pieces are scattered through time. The Triforce of Courage returns to the past with Link, whereas the Triforce of Wisdom remains in the future with Zelda after his depart