With the recent announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, fans of the iconic action-adventure series are eagerly trying to determine where the latest installment fits within the franchise’s official timeline. Ever since Nintendo confirmed that the Zelda series follows a branching timeline, each new game’s placement has become a topic of intense speculation. Echoes of Wisdom is no exception, with fans already dissecting the first trailer and screenshots for clues.
One of the most significant hints comes from the game’s apparent use of the map from A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds. According to a detailed comparison by Reddit user FelipeKits, a shot from the trailer showing Zelda overlooking Hyrule bears a striking resemblance to the maps from these classic games. Key landmarks, such as the placement of Hyrule Castle and island formations within bodies of water, appear nearly identical, although Death Mountain seems slightly altered. However, as another Reddit user, Scdsco, notes, some environments in the trailer don’t match those seen in A Link to the Past, suggesting Echoes of Wisdom might be expanding on this familiar setting rather than directly replicating it.
This theory has gained traction among the community, with many believing Echoes of Wisdom could be set in the “Hero is Defeated” timeline—a branch that begins with A Link to the Past following Link’s defeat by Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time. This timeline also includes Link’s Awakening, Oracle of Seasons/Ages, A Link Between Worlds, and Tri Force Heroes, concluding with the original Legend of Zelda and its sequel. The map’s similarities suggest that Echoes of Wisdom might continue this timeline’s story, potentially filling in gaps or expanding upon previous entries.
Further fueling speculation is the presence of both “river” and “sea” Zora in the game. These two distinct versions of the aquatic race have only appeared together once before, in Oracle of Ages. The trailer features a scene that seems to depict a peaceful meeting between the two groups, which has led some fans, including those on NintendoLife, to theorize that Echoes of Wisdom could take place after Oracle of Ages, exploring the coexistence of these two Zora factions.
Despite these compelling theories, Nintendo has yet to confirm any details about the game’s place in the timeline. Given the series’ long history and complex lore, the timeline has often been treated more as a loose framework than a strict continuity. As such, fans may have to wait until The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom launches on the Nintendo Switch on September 16 to discover its exact place in the Zelda universe—if it’s revealed at all. Until then, the community will undoubtedly continue to piece together the puzzle, keeping the spirit of Zelda theorycrafting alive.
