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Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake devs wanted to nod to the series’ notoriously convoluted timeline
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
New comments from producer Eiji Aonuma clarify that the developers of the *Ocarina of Time* remake considered adding nods to Zelda’s wider timeline, but he asked them to focus on making the game the best version of itself. The decision keeps the remake centred on its own story rather than explicitly connecting it to other entries.
After *Ocarina of Time*, the series’ chronology divides into three branches: Fallen Hero, Child and Adult, each linked to different games. Nintendo has not treated direct connections between all the games as essential, and the chronology of *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom* remains ambiguous. Aonuma said the timeline was in the developers’ minds, but they did not use it as a basis for explicit references.
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In short
- Aonuma says the remake prioritised *Ocarina of Time* itself.
- Developers considered timeline nods but left them out.
- Zelda’s chronology still has three branches and open questions.
How this story developed
- 44 minutes ago Developers working on a remake of *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* reportedly asked whether it should include nods to the franchise’s wider timeline.
- 50 minutes ago New comments from producer Eiji Aonuma clarify that the developers of the *Ocarina of Time* remake considered adding nods to Zelda’s wider timeline, but he asked them to focus on making the game the best version of itself.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Nods to the wider timeline could reward long-time fans by recognising how Ocarina of Time fits into the series and making the remake feel connected to the games that followed. Carefully chosen references might add depth without changing the original story, and could make the branching chronology easier to appreciate.
The case against
Keeping the remake focused on Ocarina of Time can preserve the clarity and integrity of a game that should stand on its own. Explicit timeline references might constrain creative choices or imply a settled chronology where Nintendo has left some connections ambiguous, risking distraction from the game itself.
Explained simply
The Legend of Zelda is a long-running Nintendo game series, with different adventures featuring the hero Link, Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule. Ocarina of Time follows Link as he travels through time to stop the villain Ganondorf.
The series’ official chronology splits after Ocarina of Time into three branches, each associated with different games and possible outcomes. Nintendo has not made connections between every game central to understanding them, and the placement of the newer Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom in the chronology is unclear.
Eiji Aonuma is a longtime Zelda producer who has worked on the series’ games. The chronology can provide background for fans, but individual Zelda stories are also designed to stand on their own.