Split Timeline

The Split Timeline Theory is the most commonly accepted theory about the order of Legend of Zelda games. This theory was one of the two main hotly debated theories among fans, the other being the Single Timeline Theory, until 2006 when Eiji Aonuma confirmed the split timeline theory. This theory states that following the strange events of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the timeline splits into two timelines, the "child" timeline which involves Ganon being executed after Link goes back in time to warn Princess Zelda and leading into The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and the "adult" timeline which involves Ganon taking over, leading to Hyrule being flooded into a Great Sea, and then follows The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

Timeline (up to Ocarina of Time)
1. The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap This game is often placed here because this is when Link first receives his trademark cap, which is explained through the events with Ezlo.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords This game is placed here often because it provides background to much of the Zelda story. Also, Eiji Aonuma stated that it is considered a background to the events of the following games.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures This game is placed here because it happens 20 years after Four Swords.

4. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time This game is either placed here or before this point in almost all timelines because it is when Ganondorf rises to be the King of Evil.

Child or Land Hyrule Timeline
5. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask This is placed here because it occurs right after the end of Ocarina of Time, where Link has warned Zelda about Ganondorf and is reliving his childhood.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess This occurs at the same time as The Wind Waker, which occurs in the adult timeline.

7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past This starts a new mini-series of games, and is placed in this side of the timeline because Hyrule is still in its original form.

8. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening This has previously been officially stated as a sequel to ALttP.

9. The Legend of Zelda This game is part of ALttP's mini-series, and signals the end of Ganondorf in a land Hyrule.

10. Zelda II: Adventure of Link This is the sequel to The Legend of Zelda.

11. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons/The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages These games can go in either order, and have a revived Ganon for an extremely short period of time. Hyrule is still land instead of water.

Adult or Great Sea Hyrule Timeline
5. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker This is placed here because it occurs at the same time as Twilight Princess, and Ganon has taken over in this game. The ending of this game implies to many that Hyrule will never be a land covered country like it once was.

6. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass This occurs right after The Wind Waker.