{
  "id": "zelda",
  "title": "The Legend of Zelda",
  "description": "Hyrule in story order: the shared origins, Nintendo’s three Hero of Time branches, the Wild era, story expansions and licensed retellings. Includes the forthcoming Ocarina of Time remake without treating it as a later event.",
  "continuities": [
    {
      "id": "fallen",
      "label": "Fallen hero — shared origins → declining Hyrule",
      "note": "Includes shared origins before Ocarina’s branch point. Follows the current Japanese Nintendo Chronicle: Awakening before Oracle; Echoes before the original Zelda. No calendar years are invented."
    },
    {
      "id": "child",
      "label": "Child route — shared origins → Twilight",
      "note": "The same origins, followed by the returned child hero’s history. Shared works reappear for reading convenience; they are counted once in the franchise catalogue."
    },
    {
      "id": "adult",
      "label": "Adult route — shared origins → New Hyrule",
      "note": "The same origins, then the world the adult Hero of Time leaves behind. This is Nintendo’s explicit branching history, not a release-order list."
    },
    {
      "id": "wild",
      "label": "Wild era — ancient kingdom → the Upheaval",
      "note": "Connected Breath / Tears history. Nintendo’s current Chronicle presents it after each route without specifying a unique connecting branch or a merger mechanism. This selector does not assert a separate universe. Ancient memories are available with Show embedded scenes."
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity",
      "label": "Age of Calamity — changed outcome",
      "note": "Time travel changes the Great Calamity’s outcome. Its story is distinct from Breath’s remembered defeat, not a replacement for that history."
    },
    {
      "id": "warriors",
      "label": "Hyrule Warriors — crossover campaign",
      "note": "Cia’s era-crossing campaign and its connected side stories. No verified insertion into the three official branches."
    },
    {
      "id": "cadence",
      "label": "Cadence of Hyrule — connected musical paths",
      "note": "Main adventure, Octavo’s alternative choices and Skull Kid’s future remain together. Connection to Nintendo’s numbered game branches is unspecified; also indexed with NecroDancer."
    },
    {
      "id": "side",
      "label": "Other official stories — placement unresolved",
      "note": "Nintendo side stories and licensed broadcasts are retained without assuming omission from the Chronicle proves non-canon. Unresolved order is not a fabricated extra timeline."
    },
    {
      "id": "screen",
      "label": "Licensed screen stories — undated",
      "note": "Animated and forthcoming live-action adaptations are inventoried separately from game history; no shared calendar or inter-adaptation order is asserted."
    }
  ],
  "entries": [
    {
      "id": "skyward",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword / Skyward Sword HD",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Ancient Hyrule; before The Minish Cap",
      "order": 10,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2011 / 2021",
      "description": "Link follows Zelda from the sky to the surface.",
      "note": "The shared origin. Original and HD version occupy one adventure; time travel inside the story is not a new sequel.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Ancient era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/souj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword / Skyward Sword HD — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "skyward"
    },
    {
      "id": "minish",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Skyward Sword; before Four Swords",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2004",
      "description": "Link and Ezlo confront Vaati.",
      "note": "No exact inter-game year gap is supplied.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Minish era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/bzmj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "minish"
    },
    {
      "id": "four-swords",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords / Anniversary Edition",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After The Minish Cap; before Ocarina of Time",
      "order": 30,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2002 / 2011",
      "description": "Four Links free Zelda from Vaati.",
      "note": "The standalone Four Swords adventure is separate from the bundled A Link to the Past and from Four Swords Adventures. Anniversary Edition expands this same adventure.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Four Sword",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/azlj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords / Anniversary Edition — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "four-swords"
    },
    {
      "id": "ocarina",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest / Ocarina of Time 3D",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Child era → seven years later; outcomes branch",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "1998 / 2003 / 2011",
      "description": "Link challenges Ganondorf across childhood and adulthood.",
      "note": "Shared branch-point adventure. Master Quest changes dungeon challenges, not the seven-year premise. The three continuations reflect different outcomes; they are not sequential sequels.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "oot-gap"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/zelda/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest / Ocarina of Time 3D — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina"
    },
    {
      "id": "ocarina-switch2",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — Nintendo Switch 2 remake",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Same Ocarina adventure; child / adult eras seven years apart",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2026-11-05",
      "description": "The Hero of Time’s adventure rebuilt for Switch 2.",
      "note": "Grouped with Ocarina, not after later games. Upcoming at audit date; changes to specific story scenes remain unverified.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "oot-2026",
        "oot-gap",
        "oot-retailer"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJ6F7L6T",
      "productName": "Ocarina of Time — Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact corresponding upcoming remake. Release is November 5, 2026; not the N64/3DS edition. Retail title checked; price and stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina",
      "upcoming": true
    },
    {
      "id": "past",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Game Boy Advance version",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Ocarina’s defeated-hero outcome",
      "order": 50,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "1991 / 2002",
      "description": "Link enters the Dark World.",
      "note": "Relative story placement, not a numbered calendar year.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Light & dark",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/zl/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Game Boy Advance version — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "past"
    },
    {
      "id": "awakening",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening / DX / Nintendo Switch remake",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After A Link to the Past; before the Oracle games",
      "order": 60,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "1993 / 1998 / 2019",
      "description": "Link seeks a way off Koholint.",
      "note": "Current Japanese Chronicle overrides the older Historia ordering that put Oracle before Awakening. Remakes share the source story position.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Koholint",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/games/zelda-links-awakening/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening / DX / Nintendo Switch remake — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "awakening"
    },
    {
      "id": "seasons",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Link’s Awakening; either linked-game starting order",
      "order": 70,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2001",
      "description": "Link restores Holodrum’s seasons.",
      "note": "The linked games support either first-play sequence. Both occupy this era without an asserted fixed internal order; their linked finale belongs to the pair.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Oracle era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/az7jaz8j/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "oracle",
      "groupLabel": "SHARED ERA · LINKED ORACLE ADVENTURES & RETELLINGS"
    },
    {
      "id": "ages",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Link’s Awakening; either linked-game starting order",
      "order": 70,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2001",
      "description": "Link repairs Labrynna’s history.",
      "note": "The linked games support either first-play sequence. Both occupy this era without an asserted fixed internal order; their linked finale belongs to the pair.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Oracle era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/az7jaz8j/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "oracle",
      "groupLabel": "SHARED ERA · LINKED ORACLE ADVENTURES & RETELLINGS"
    },
    {
      "id": "between",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After the Oracle adventures",
      "order": 80,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2013",
      "description": "Link travels between Hyrule and Lorule.",
      "note": "Relative story placement, not a numbered calendar year.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Lorule era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/bzlj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "between"
    },
    {
      "id": "triforce",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Several years after A Link Between Worlds",
      "order": 90,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2015",
      "description": "Three heroes break a princess’s curse.",
      "note": "Relative story placement, not a numbered calendar year.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "tfh-gap"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Years later",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/ea3j/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "triforce"
    },
    {
      "id": "echoes",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Tri Force Heroes; before the original Zelda",
      "order": 100,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2024",
      "description": "Zelda faces Hyrule’s spreading rifts.",
      "note": "Relative story placement, not a numbered calendar year.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Echoes era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/switch/bdgea/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "echoes"
    },
    {
      "id": "original",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Era of Decline; after Echoes of Wisdom",
      "order": 110,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "1986",
      "description": "Link recovers the Triforce of Wisdom.",
      "note": "Relative story placement, not a numbered calendar year.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Decline era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/zelda1/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "original"
    },
    {
      "id": "adventure",
      "title": "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Six years after the original Zelda; Link’s 16th birthday",
      "order": 120,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "1987",
      "description": "Link seeks the Triforce of Courage.",
      "note": "The Japanese 40th-anniversary History explicitly says six years after Ganon’s defeat and Link turns sixteen. Retain that stated interval rather than replacing it with an English-guide age calculation.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "6 years later",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/famicom/software/zelda2/index.html",
      "productName": "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "adventure"
    },
    {
      "id": "majora",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask / Majora’s Mask 3D",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Ocarina’s returned-child ending; repeating three-day crisis",
      "order": 50,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2000 / 2015",
      "description": "Link enters Termina and its repeating crisis.",
      "note": "Nintendo’s child route; release order would incorrectly put Four Swords Adventures before Twilight Princess.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Three days",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nzsj/normal/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask / Majora’s Mask 3D — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "majora"
    },
    {
      "id": "twilight",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess / Twilight Princess HD",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Later child-route Hyrule; before Four Swords Adventures",
      "order": 60,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2006 / 2016",
      "description": "Link and Midna resist the twilight invasion.",
      "note": "Nintendo’s child route; release order would incorrectly put Four Swords Adventures before Twilight Princess.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Twilight era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rzdj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess / Twilight Princess HD — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "twilight"
    },
    {
      "id": "four-adventures",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Twilight Princess; later Four Sword history",
      "order": 70,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2004",
      "description": "Four Links confront a returning darkness.",
      "note": "Nintendo’s child route; release order would incorrectly put Four Swords Adventures before Twilight Princess.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Shadow era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/g4sj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "four-adventures"
    },
    {
      "id": "wind",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker / The Wind Waker HD",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Ocarina’s adult-era victory; flooded Hyrule",
      "order": 50,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2002 / 2013",
      "description": "Link searches the sea for his sister.",
      "note": "Nintendo’s adult route; Phantom’s several-month gap is explicit in the Japanese synopsis.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Great Sea",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ngc/gzlj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker / The Wind Waker HD — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "wind"
    },
    {
      "id": "phantom",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Several months after The Wind Waker",
      "order": 60,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2007",
      "description": "Link and Tetra encounter a ghost ship.",
      "note": "Nintendo’s adult route; Phantom’s several-month gap is explicit in the Japanese synopsis.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Months later",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/azej/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "phantom"
    },
    {
      "id": "tracks",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Est. about 100 years after Phantom Hourglass",
      "order": 70,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2009",
      "description": "Link and Zelda restore the Spirit Tracks.",
      "note": "Approximate century comes from a documented Aonuma interview transcription; no exact New Hyrule calendar is asserted.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "st-century"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "New Hyrule",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Evidence-based estimate",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": true,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/bkij/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "tracks"
    },
    {
      "id": "imprisoning",
      "title": "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Ancient Imprisoning War; before the Wild-era Calamities",
      "order": 10,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2025",
      "description": "Zelda joins ancient Hyrule’s war against Ganondorf.",
      "note": "Connected to Tears’ ancient history. No exact year distance to Breath is invented. Nintendo’s free content updates are included; individual undated post-clear challenges are not presented as new calendar events.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "imprisonment",
        "imprisonment-updates",
        "jp-chronicle"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "Ancient war",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://zelda.nintendo.com/hyrule-warriors/story/",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "imprisoning"
    },
    {
      "id": "breath",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild / Nintendo Switch 2 Edition",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "100 years after the Great Calamity",
      "order": 30,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2017 / 2025",
      "description": "Link awakens to reclaim a fallen kingdom.",
      "note": "Main playable adventure anchors this row. Earlier memories can be shown separately. Switch 2 Edition is the same narrative.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "100 years later",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-switch/",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "breath"
    },
    {
      "id": "breath-memories",
      "title": "Breath of the Wild — memories before the Great Calamity",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "About 100 years before Breath’s present",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2017",
      "description": "Recovered memories show Zelda, Link and the Champions.",
      "note": "Embedded scenes of the base game, not a separate purchasable game. These preserve the defeat that Age of Calamity changes.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "100 years before",
      "segment": true,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-switch/",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "breath-memories"
    },
    {
      "id": "master-trials",
      "title": "Breath of the Wild — The Master Trials",
      "type": "Game DLC",
      "date": "During Breath’s playable present; after obtaining the Master Sword",
      "order": 31,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2017",
      "description": "Link faces the Trial of the Sword.",
      "note": "Interleavable DLC challenge. Order number is a reading convenience, not a claim it must follow the final boss.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "botw-dlc"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "Breath present",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-switch/dlc/",
      "productName": "View official expansion",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official expansion",
      "storyGroup": "master-trials"
    },
    {
      "id": "champions",
      "title": "Breath of the Wild — The Champions’ Ballad",
      "type": "Game DLC",
      "date": "Breath’s playable present; memories about 100 years earlier",
      "order": 32,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2017",
      "description": "New trials uncover the Champions’ past.",
      "note": "Grouped expansion, with present-day trials and historical memories distinguished in the date. Exact player-dependent interleaving is not fixed.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "botw-dlc"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "Breath present",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-switch/dlc/",
      "productName": "View official expansion",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official expansion",
      "storyGroup": "champions"
    },
    {
      "id": "tears",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom / Nintendo Switch 2 Edition",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Breath of the Wild; exact elapsed years unspecified",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2023 / 2025",
      "description": "Link investigates the Upheaval above and below Hyrule.",
      "note": "Japanese synopsis gives an elapsed period without an exact number. Do not turn release years or a fan estimate into a calendar. Ancient memories sit beside the corresponding war below.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "After Breath",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-switch/",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "tears"
    },
    {
      "id": "tears-memories",
      "title": "Tears of the Kingdom — ancient Dragon’s Tears memories",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Founding-era Hyrule and the Imprisoning War",
      "order": 10,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2023",
      "description": "Zelda’s memories reveal ancient Hyrule’s rulers and war.",
      "note": "Embedded scenes are grouped with Age of Imprisonment as another portrayal of the same war, not a new separate timeline.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "imprisonment"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "Ancient war",
      "segment": true,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-switch/",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "tears-memories"
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity-main",
      "title": "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Great Calamity era; altered outcome about 100 years before Breath",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2020",
      "description": "A time-travelling Guardian changes Hyrule’s fate.",
      "note": "Actual changed outcomes warrant an alternate path. Historical premise alone does not make this the unchanged prequel to Breath.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "calamity",
        "calamity-divergence"
      ],
      "continuity": "calamity",
      "railLabel": "Calamity era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-switch/",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "calamity-main"
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity-guardian",
      "title": "Age of Calamity — Guardian of Remembrance",
      "type": "Game DLC",
      "date": "Before and during Age of Calamity; exact stage order unresolved",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2021",
      "description": "Additional story stages expand the altered war.",
      "note": "Kept at the base campaign’s story position; earlier Terrako memories are acknowledged rather than asserting all DLC happens after the ending.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "calamity-dlc",
        "calamity-divergence"
      ],
      "continuity": "calamity",
      "railLabel": "Calamity era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-ca/store/products/guardian-of-remembrance-70050000025934-switch/",
      "productName": "View official expansion",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official expansion",
      "storyGroup": "calamity-main"
    },
    {
      "id": "warriors-main",
      "title": "Hyrule Warriors / Legends / Definitive Edition — main campaign",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Crossover war; calendar and official-branch position unspecified",
      "order": 10,
      "canon": "Official crossover",
      "release": "2014 / 2016 / 2018",
      "description": "Link opposes Cia’s era-crossing invasion.",
      "note": "The definitive edition contains the connected versions’ campaigns; time gates do not establish a merge of all official branches.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "warriors"
      ],
      "continuity": "warriors",
      "railLabel": "Crossover era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/nl-nl/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Hyrule-Warriors-Definitive-Edition-1325999.html",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "warriors-main"
    },
    {
      "id": "warriors-side",
      "title": "Hyrule Warriors — Cia’s Tale and Linkle’s Tale",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Crossover war; calendar and official-branch position unspecified",
      "order": 10,
      "canon": "Official crossover",
      "release": "2014 / 2016 / 2018",
      "description": "Cia and Linkle’s viewpoints accompany the central war.",
      "note": "Overlapping side campaigns, not chronological sequels to the original game.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "warriors"
      ],
      "continuity": "warriors",
      "railLabel": "Crossover era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/nl-nl/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Hyrule-Warriors-Definitive-Edition-1325999.html",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "warriors-main"
    },
    {
      "id": "warriors-sea",
      "title": "Hyrule Warriors — Wind Waker campaign",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Crossover war; calendar and official-branch position unspecified",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Official crossover",
      "release": "2014 / 2016 / 2018",
      "description": "Toon Link and Tetra enter the continuing crossover.",
      "note": "Additional campaign incorporated in Legends and Definitive Edition. Exact interval after the principal war is not supplied.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "warriors"
      ],
      "continuity": "warriors",
      "railLabel": "Crossover era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/nl-nl/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Hyrule-Warriors-Definitive-Edition-1325999.html",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "warriors-sea"
    },
    {
      "id": "zelda-cadence-of-hyrule-crypt-of-the-necrodancer-featuring-the-legend-of-zelda",
      "title": "Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Est. after Crypt; Hyrule present → possible future",
      "order": 3,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2019",
      "description": "Cadence, Link and Zelda oppose Octavo’s enchantment.",
      "note": "Cadence and her NecroDancer-family background link the crossover to Crypt. Its place before Rift is provisional: accessible sources did not establish an exact Cadence age or a confirmed interval between those adventures. The future excursion is a time jump within Hyrule, not a separate franchise universe. Its position relative to Nintendo’s three game branches is not established.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cadence-hyrule",
        "cadence-edition",
        "cadence-cadence-age",
        "cadence-future-world"
      ],
      "continuity": "cadence",
      "railLabel": "Hyrule present",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Provisional evidence-based estimate",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": true,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F86ZDRV",
      "productName": "Cadence of Hyrule — physical Nintendo Switch edition",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding physical edition includes the DLC packs. Check language / region. Octavo’s Ode is an update; Symphony of the Mask is included DLC, not a separate cartridge.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon"
    },
    {
      "id": "zelda-cadence-of-hyrule-octavo-s-ode",
      "title": "Cadence of Hyrule: Octavo’s Ode",
      "type": "Game update",
      "date": "Hyrule’s Octavo path; present → alternative future",
      "order": 3.1,
      "canon": "Disputed canon",
      "release": "2019-12",
      "description": "Octavo becomes the playable focus of a new storyline.",
      "note": "A connected alternative-decision story: Octavo can encounter his future NecroDancer self. Kept with Cadence’s shared chronology; the outcome does not have to occur after the base campaign’s ending. Its position relative to Nintendo’s three game branches is not established.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cadence-hyrule",
        "cadence-future-world"
      ],
      "continuity": "cadence",
      "railLabel": "Octavo’s path",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Stated date / relative sequence",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F86ZDRV",
      "productName": "Cadence of Hyrule — physical Nintendo Switch edition",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding physical edition includes the DLC packs. Check language / region. Octavo’s Ode is an update; Symphony of the Mask is included DLC, not a separate cartridge.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon"
    },
    {
      "id": "zelda-cadence-of-hyrule-symphony-of-the-mask",
      "title": "Cadence of Hyrule: Symphony of the Mask",
      "type": "Game DLC",
      "date": "Hyrule’s ruined future; after its present-era events",
      "order": 3.2,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2020-09",
      "description": "Skull Kid explores an expanded Hyrule with transforming masks.",
      "note": "Skull Kid’s campaign explores Hyrule’s future with Skull Ganon. It belongs beside the base game’s future excursion, with variant outcomes noted rather than a new selector. The time interval and one uniquely canonical ending are not verified. Its position relative to Nintendo’s three game branches is not established.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cadence-mask",
        "cadence-future-world"
      ],
      "continuity": "cadence",
      "railLabel": "Future Hyrule",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Stated date / relative sequence",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F86ZDRV",
      "productName": "Cadence of Hyrule — physical Nintendo Switch edition",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding physical edition includes the DLC packs. Check language / region. Octavo’s Ode is an update; Symphony of the Mask is included DLC, not a separate cartridge.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon"
    },
    {
      "id": "tingle-rupee",
      "title": "Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Official side story; exact era and inter-game position unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Assumed canon",
      "release": "2006",
      "description": "Tingle pursues a promise of rupee-filled paradise.",
      "note": "No verified exclusion is inferred merely from an omitted timeline slot. Broadcast variants stay grouped; original voice tracks were not inspected. Correlation to a source game is not proof of an identical story.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "tingle"
      ],
      "continuity": "side",
      "railLabel": "Undated",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-DS/Freshly-Picked-Tingle-s-Rosy-Rupeeland-270847.html",
      "productName": "View story record",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official or bibliographic record. No Amazon edition or authorized current playable copy verified.",
      "actionLabel": "View story record",
      "storyGroup": "tingle-rupee"
    },
    {
      "id": "tingle-balloon",
      "title": "Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Official side story; exact era and inter-game position unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Assumed canon",
      "release": "2009",
      "description": "Tingle journeys through a storybook world.",
      "note": "No verified exclusion is inferred merely from an omitted timeline slot. Broadcast variants stay grouped; original voice tracks were not inspected. Correlation to a source game is not proof of an identical story.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "tingle-love"
      ],
      "continuity": "side",
      "railLabel": "Undated",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/bcnj/road/index.html",
      "productName": "View story record",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official or bibliographic record. No Amazon edition or authorized current playable copy verified.",
      "actionLabel": "View story record",
      "storyGroup": "tingle-balloon"
    },
    {
      "id": "bs-map",
      "title": "BS The Legend of Zelda — Map 1 and Map 2, weeks 1–4",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Official side story; exact era and inter-game position unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Assumed canon",
      "release": "1995–1996",
      "description": "A broadcast visitor gathers the Triforce fragments.",
      "note": "No verified exclusion is inferred merely from an omitted timeline slot. Broadcast variants stay grouped; original voice tracks were not inspected. Correlation to a source game is not proof of an identical story.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "bs"
      ],
      "continuity": "side",
      "railLabel": "Undated",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellaview_games_from_The_Legend_of_Zelda_series",
      "productName": "View story record",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official or bibliographic record. No Amazon edition or authorized current playable copy verified.",
      "actionLabel": "View story record",
      "storyGroup": "bs-map"
    },
    {
      "id": "bs-stones",
      "title": "BS Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets — weeks 1–4",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Six years after A Link to the Past; est. placement before A Link Between Worlds",
      "order": 75,
      "canon": "Assumed canon",
      "release": "1997",
      "description": "A visiting hero collects eight ancient stone tablets.",
      "note": "The six-year interval is documented secondarily, not visually read from the original broadcast. Relative position against Awakening/Oracle is unresolved; shown after their cluster as a provisional insertion.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "bs",
        "bs-official"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "6 years after",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Evidence-based estimate",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": true,
      "productUrl": "https://web.archive.org/web/19970605043353/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n03/program/rec/r9704/page_3.html",
      "productName": "View archived official record",
      "productMatch": "No exact current legal playable/Amazon product found. This is the original broadcast’s information page.",
      "actionLabel": "View archived official record",
      "storyGroup": "bs-stones"
    },
    {
      "id": "crossbow",
      "title": "Link’s Crossbow Training",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Twilight Princess setting; est. adjacent placement",
      "order": 60,
      "canon": "Assumed canon",
      "release": "2007",
      "description": "Link completes crossbow challenges in familiar locations.",
      "note": "Setting is official; no exact interval or substantial new plot beyond the challenge premise established. Included adjacent to Twilight, not declared non-canon for lacking a year.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "crossbow"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Twilight era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Evidence-based estimate",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": true,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Wii/Link-s-Crossbow-Training-281782.html",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "crossbow"
    },
    {
      "id": "cdi-faces",
      "title": "Link: The Faces of Evil",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Licensed CD-i adventure; game-history insertion unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Non-canon connected",
      "release": "1993",
      "description": "Link travels to Koridai to confront Ganon.",
      "note": "Licensed connected material outside Nintendo’s published game chronology. Neither a numbered year nor an order among the three is asserted.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cdi"
      ],
      "continuity": "side",
      "railLabel": "Undated",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i_games_from_The_Legend_of_Zelda_series",
      "productName": "View licensed-game record",
      "productMatch": "No authorized current digital copy or exact Amazon physical match verified. Bibliographic link only.",
      "actionLabel": "View licensed-game record",
      "storyGroup": "cdi-faces"
    },
    {
      "id": "cdi-wand",
      "title": "Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Licensed CD-i adventure; game-history insertion unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Non-canon connected",
      "release": "1993",
      "description": "Zelda searches Gamelon for the missing king and Link.",
      "note": "Licensed connected material outside Nintendo’s published game chronology. Neither a numbered year nor an order among the three is asserted.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cdi"
      ],
      "continuity": "side",
      "railLabel": "Undated",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i_games_from_The_Legend_of_Zelda_series",
      "productName": "View licensed-game record",
      "productMatch": "No authorized current digital copy or exact Amazon physical match verified. Bibliographic link only.",
      "actionLabel": "View licensed-game record",
      "storyGroup": "cdi-wand"
    },
    {
      "id": "cdi-adventure",
      "title": "Zelda’s Adventure",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Licensed CD-i adventure; game-history insertion unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Non-canon connected",
      "release": "1994",
      "description": "Zelda explores Tolemac to rescue Link.",
      "note": "Licensed connected material outside Nintendo’s published game chronology. Neither a numbered year nor an order among the three is asserted.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cdi"
      ],
      "continuity": "side",
      "railLabel": "Undated",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i_games_from_The_Legend_of_Zelda_series",
      "productName": "View licensed-game record",
      "productMatch": "No authorized current digital copy or exact Amazon physical match verified. Bibliographic link only.",
      "actionLabel": "View licensed-game record",
      "storyGroup": "cdi-adventure"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-oot",
      "title": "Ocarina of Time — Akira Himekawa, volumes 1–2",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Child era → seven years later; outcomes branch",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "1998–1999 / collected 2016",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-oot",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "oot-gap"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589591",
      "productName": "Ocarina of Time — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-minish",
      "title": "The Minish Cap — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Skyward Sword; before Four Swords",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2004 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-minish-phantom",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Minish era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589621",
      "productName": "The Minish Cap / Phantom Hourglass — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "minish"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-majora",
      "title": "Majora’s Mask — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Ocarina’s returned-child ending; repeating three-day crisis",
      "order": 50,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2000 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-mm-past",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Three days",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589613",
      "productName": "Majora’s Mask / A Link to the Past — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "majora"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-past",
      "title": "A Link to the Past — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Ocarina’s defeated-hero outcome",
      "order": 50,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2005 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-mm-past",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Light & dark",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589613",
      "productName": "Majora’s Mask / A Link to the Past — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "past"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-seasons",
      "title": "Oracle of Seasons — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Link’s Awakening; either linked-game starting order",
      "order": 70,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2001 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-oracle",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Oracle era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589605",
      "productName": "Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "oracle"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-ages",
      "title": "Oracle of Ages — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Link’s Awakening; either linked-game starting order",
      "order": 70,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2002 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-oracle",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Oracle era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589605",
      "productName": "Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "oracle"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-four",
      "title": "Four Swords Adventures — Akira Himekawa, volumes 1–2",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Twilight Princess; later Four Sword history",
      "order": 70,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2004–2005 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-four",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Shadow era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/142158963X",
      "productName": "Four Swords — Legendary Edition (Four Swords Adventures adaptation)",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "four-adventures"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-phantom",
      "title": "Phantom Hourglass — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Several months after The Wind Waker",
      "order": 60,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2007 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-minish-phantom",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Months later",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589621",
      "productName": "The Minish Cap / Phantom Hourglass — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "phantom"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-twilight",
      "title": "Twilight Princess — Akira Himekawa, volumes 1–11",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Later child-route Hyrule; before Four Swords Adventures",
      "order": 60,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2016–2022 / box 2024",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-twilight",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Twilight era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1974749665",
      "productName": "Twilight Princess — Complete Box Set, all eleven volumes",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "twilight"
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-ishinomori",
      "title": "A Link to the Past — Shotaro Ishinomori, Nintendo Power serial",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Ocarina’s defeated-hero outcome",
      "order": 50,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "1992 / reprint 2015",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-ishinomori",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Light & dark",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421575418",
      "productName": "A Link to the Past — Shotaro Ishinomori graphic novel",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "past"
    },
    {
      "id": "historia-manga",
      "title": "Skyward Sword — Akira Himekawa bonus manga in Hyrule Historia",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Before Skyward Sword; exact distance unresolved",
      "order": 5,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2011 / English edition 2013",
      "description": "A manga interpretation of the earlier struggle associated with Skyward Sword.",
      "note": "Prequel premise identified through bibliography. It is not silently equated with the exact game backstory; no calendar caption has been verified.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "historia",
        "historia-biblio",
        "historia-story"
      ],
      "continuity": "fallen",
      "railLabel": "Before Skyward",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher confirms included comic; full legal story interior unavailable in this research pass.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616550414",
      "productName": "Hyrule Historia — includes the Akira Himekawa bonus manga",
      "productMatch": "Official containing hardcover, ISBN 9781616550417. Book contents/ISBN verified by publisher; exact Amazon stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon"
    },
    {
      "id": "animated",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda — animated series, episodes 1–13",
      "type": "TV series",
      "date": "Undated Hyrule adventures; relation to game history unestablished",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Non-canon connected",
      "release": "1989",
      "description": "Link and Zelda defend Hyrule from Ganon’s recurring schemes.",
      "note": "Series kept as a continuous licensed run, not assigned the broadcast year as a fictional date. No shared continuity with the 2027 film established.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "tv-library",
        "tv-inventory"
      ],
      "continuity": "screen",
      "railLabel": "Undated",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://milwaukee.countycat.mcfls.org/Record/.b3526620x",
      "productName": "View official DVD record",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding Shout! Factory complete-series DVD catalogued by a public library; not a streaming link. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official DVD record"
    },
    {
      "id": "live-action",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda — live-action film",
      "type": "Film",
      "date": "Story era and game relationship unannounced",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Canon unannounced",
      "release": "2027-04-30",
      "description": "Nintendo and Sony’s forthcoming live-action adaptation.",
      "note": "Japanese September 2026 announcement supersedes older May 7 release reports. April 30, 2027 is a release date only, never a fictional date.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "film"
      ],
      "continuity": "screen",
      "railLabel": "Unannounced",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/movie/zelda/index.html",
      "productName": "View official film announcement",
      "productMatch": "No released film edition or legal full-film viewing link exists at audit date.",
      "actionLabel": "View official film announcement",
      "upcoming": true
    },
    {
      "id": "voice-breath",
      "title": "ZELDA NOTES — Breath of the Wild Voice Memories",
      "type": "Audio stories",
      "date": "Multiple past incidents; individual chronological placement unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2025",
      "description": "Location-based narrated memories expand the corresponding game’s world.",
      "note": "Inventoried by game as a collection, not a claim of one uninterrupted story. Individual memories can span different eras and require Japanese transcript/audio inspection before splitting into dated rows.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "zelda-notes"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "Multiple eras",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Official feature description checked; full memory collection and Japanese audio not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Smart-device-games/ZELDA-NOTES-2790439.html",
      "productName": "View official listening requirements",
      "productMatch": "Requires the Nintendo Switch app, compatible Switch 2 game edition and progress. This information link is not an unrestricted audio stream.",
      "actionLabel": "View official listening requirements"
    },
    {
      "id": "voice-tears",
      "title": "ZELDA NOTES — Tears of the Kingdom Voice Memories",
      "type": "Audio stories",
      "date": "Multiple past incidents; individual chronological placement unresolved",
      "order": null,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2025",
      "description": "Location-based narrated memories expand the corresponding game’s world.",
      "note": "Inventoried by game as a collection, not a claim of one uninterrupted story. Individual memories can span different eras and require Japanese transcript/audio inspection before splitting into dated rows.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "zelda-notes"
      ],
      "continuity": "wild",
      "railLabel": "Multiple eras",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Placement unresolved",
      "inspection": "Official feature description checked; full memory collection and Japanese audio not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Smart-device-games/ZELDA-NOTES-2790439.html",
      "productName": "View official listening requirements",
      "productMatch": "Requires the Nintendo Switch app, compatible Switch 2 game edition and progress. This information link is not an unrestricted audio stream.",
      "actionLabel": "View official listening requirements"
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity-definitive",
      "title": "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity — Definitive Edition",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Same altered Great Calamity; new content chronology unverified",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2027-02-25",
      "description": "The altered Calamity adventure returns in an expanded Switch 2 edition.",
      "note": "Grouped with the original campaign. Upcoming edition’s added scenes are not presumed identical or assigned dates before release.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "calamity-definitive",
        "calamity-divergence"
      ],
      "continuity": "calamity",
      "railLabel": "Calamity era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-definitive-edition-128095/",
      "productName": "View official game",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game / narrative page. Exact Amazon edition not yet verified; no unrelated purchase substituted.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "calamity-main",
      "upcoming": true
    },
    {
      "id": "skyward-child",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword / Skyward Sword HD",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Ancient Hyrule; before The Minish Cap",
      "order": 10,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2011 / 2021",
      "description": "Link follows Zelda from the sky to the surface.",
      "note": "The shared origin. Original and HD version occupy one adventure; time travel inside the story is not a new sequel. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Ancient era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/souj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword / Skyward Sword HD — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "skyward-child",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "minish-child",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Skyward Sword; before Four Swords",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2004",
      "description": "Link and Ezlo confront Vaati.",
      "note": "No exact inter-game year gap is supplied. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Minish era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/bzmj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "minish-child",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "four-swords-child",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords / Anniversary Edition",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After The Minish Cap; before Ocarina of Time",
      "order": 30,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2002 / 2011",
      "description": "Four Links free Zelda from Vaati.",
      "note": "The standalone Four Swords adventure is separate from the bundled A Link to the Past and from Four Swords Adventures. Anniversary Edition expands this same adventure. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Four Sword",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/azlj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords / Anniversary Edition — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "four-swords-child",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "ocarina-child",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest / Ocarina of Time 3D",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Child era → seven years later; outcomes branch",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "1998 / 2003 / 2011",
      "description": "Link challenges Ganondorf across childhood and adulthood.",
      "note": "Shared branch-point adventure. Master Quest changes dungeon challenges, not the seven-year premise. The three continuations reflect different outcomes; they are not sequential sequels. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "oot-gap"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/zelda/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest / Ocarina of Time 3D — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina-child",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "ocarina-switch2-child",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — Nintendo Switch 2 remake",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Same Ocarina adventure; child / adult eras seven years apart",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2026-11-05",
      "description": "The Hero of Time’s adventure rebuilt for Switch 2.",
      "note": "Grouped with Ocarina, not after later games. Upcoming at audit date; changes to specific story scenes remain unverified. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "oot-2026",
        "oot-gap",
        "oot-retailer"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJ6F7L6T",
      "productName": "Ocarina of Time — Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact corresponding upcoming remake. Release is November 5, 2026; not the N64/3DS edition. Retail title checked; price and stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina-child",
      "upcoming": true,
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-oot-child",
      "title": "Ocarina of Time — Akira Himekawa, volumes 1–2",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Child era → seven years later; outcomes branch",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "1998–1999 / collected 2016",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-oot",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "oot-gap"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589591",
      "productName": "Ocarina of Time — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina-child",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-minish-child",
      "title": "The Minish Cap — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Skyward Sword; before Four Swords",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2004 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-minish-phantom",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Minish era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589621",
      "productName": "The Minish Cap / Phantom Hourglass — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "minish-child",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "historia-manga-child",
      "title": "Skyward Sword — Akira Himekawa bonus manga in Hyrule Historia",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Before Skyward Sword; exact distance unresolved",
      "order": 5,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2011 / English edition 2013",
      "description": "A manga interpretation of the earlier struggle associated with Skyward Sword.",
      "note": "Prequel premise identified through bibliography. It is not silently equated with the exact game backstory; no calendar caption has been verified. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "historia",
        "historia-biblio",
        "historia-story"
      ],
      "continuity": "child",
      "railLabel": "Before Skyward",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher confirms included comic; full legal story interior unavailable in this research pass.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616550414",
      "productName": "Hyrule Historia — includes the Akira Himekawa bonus manga",
      "productMatch": "Official containing hardcover, ISBN 9781616550417. Book contents/ISBN verified by publisher; exact Amazon stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "skyward-adult",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword / Skyward Sword HD",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Ancient Hyrule; before The Minish Cap",
      "order": 10,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2011 / 2021",
      "description": "Link follows Zelda from the sky to the surface.",
      "note": "The shared origin. Original and HD version occupy one adventure; time travel inside the story is not a new sequel. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Ancient era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/souj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword / Skyward Sword HD — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "skyward-adult",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "minish-adult",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After Skyward Sword; before Four Swords",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2004",
      "description": "Link and Ezlo confront Vaati.",
      "note": "No exact inter-game year gap is supplied. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Minish era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/bzmj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "minish-adult",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "four-swords-adult",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords / Anniversary Edition",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "After The Minish Cap; before Ocarina of Time",
      "order": 30,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2002 / 2011",
      "description": "Four Links free Zelda from Vaati.",
      "note": "The standalone Four Swords adventure is separate from the bundled A Link to the Past and from Four Swords Adventures. Anniversary Edition expands this same adventure. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Four Sword",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/azlj/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords / Anniversary Edition — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "four-swords-adult",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "ocarina-adult",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest / Ocarina of Time 3D",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Child era → seven years later; outcomes branch",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "1998 / 2003 / 2011",
      "description": "Link challenges Ganondorf across childhood and adulthood.",
      "note": "Shared branch-point adventure. Master Quest changes dungeon challenges, not the seven-year premise. The three continuations reflect different outcomes; they are not sequential sequels. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "oot-gap"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/zelda/index.html",
      "productName": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time / Master Quest / Ocarina of Time 3D — Nintendo information page",
      "productMatch": "Corresponding official game page, linked by Nintendo’s current history. Where versions are grouped, this is the named original or remake page, not an assertion that every version is sold there. Exact Amazon edition unverified.",
      "actionLabel": "View official game",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina-adult",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "ocarina-switch2-adult",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time — Nintendo Switch 2 remake",
      "type": "Game",
      "date": "Same Ocarina adventure; child / adult eras seven years apart",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Confirmed canon",
      "release": "2026-11-05",
      "description": "The Hero of Time’s adventure rebuilt for Switch 2.",
      "note": "Grouped with Ocarina, not after later games. Upcoming at audit date; changes to specific story scenes remain unverified. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "oot-2026",
        "oot-gap",
        "oot-retailer"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Source / inventory checked; full work not inspected",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJ6F7L6T",
      "productName": "Ocarina of Time — Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact corresponding upcoming remake. Release is November 5, 2026; not the N64/3DS edition. Retail title checked; price and stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina-adult",
      "upcoming": true,
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-oot-adult",
      "title": "Ocarina of Time — Akira Himekawa, volumes 1–2",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Child era → seven years later; outcomes branch",
      "order": 40,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "1998–1999 / collected 2016",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-oot",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history",
        "oot-gap"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "7-year gap",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589591",
      "productName": "Ocarina of Time — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "ocarina-adult",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "manga-minish-adult",
      "title": "The Minish Cap — Akira Himekawa",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "After Skyward Sword; before Four Swords",
      "order": 20,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2004 / collected 2017",
      "description": "An official illustrated retelling of the corresponding game.",
      "note": "Grouped with its source adventure for reading order. Added scenes and characterization do not establish binding game-history events. Full interiors and bonus-story dates are not claimed inspected. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "viz-minish-phantom",
        "jp-chronicle",
        "jp-history"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Minish era",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher synopsis, collection contents, ISBN and direct Amazon destination checked. Complete interior not inspected.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1421589621",
      "productName": "The Minish Cap / Phantom Hourglass — Legendary Edition",
      "productMatch": "Exact publisher-linked official collected edition; may include another game’s separate retelling. See the edition title. Prices/stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "storyGroup": "minish-adult",
      "shared": true
    },
    {
      "id": "historia-manga-adult",
      "title": "Skyward Sword — Akira Himekawa bonus manga in Hyrule Historia",
      "type": "Manga",
      "date": "Before Skyward Sword; exact distance unresolved",
      "order": 5,
      "canon": "Licensed retelling",
      "release": "2011 / English edition 2013",
      "description": "A manga interpretation of the earlier struggle associated with Skyward Sword.",
      "note": "Prequel premise identified through bibliography. It is not silently equated with the exact game backstory; no calendar caption has been verified. Shared origin repeated for this route; counted once.",
      "sourceIds": [
        "historia",
        "historia-biblio",
        "historia-story"
      ],
      "continuity": "adult",
      "railLabel": "Before Skyward",
      "segment": false,
      "confidence": "Relative / stated chronology",
      "inspection": "Publisher confirms included comic; full legal story interior unavailable in this research pass.",
      "estimated": false,
      "productUrl": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616550414",
      "productName": "Hyrule Historia — includes the Akira Himekawa bonus manga",
      "productMatch": "Official containing hardcover, ISBN 9781616550417. Book contents/ISBN verified by publisher; exact Amazon stock not asserted.",
      "actionLabel": "View on Amazon",
      "shared": true
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "jp-chronicle",
      "title": "Nintendo Japan — current Hyrule Chronicle",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/zelda/chronicle/index.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Current Japanese chronological diagram and branch text read. Live branch controls also viewed. Branch order is not the dated release history. Wild-era connection remains unspecified."
    },
    {
      "id": "jp-history",
      "title": "Nintendo Japan — official game history and story synopses",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/zelda/history/index.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Japanese release dates kept separate from fictional dates. Explicit intervals checked: Adventure of Link six years after Ganon’s defeat; Phantom Hourglass several months after Wind Waker."
    },
    {
      "id": "oot-gap",
      "title": "Nintendo Japan — Ocarina’s two eras",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/aqej/about/generation/",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Explicit seven-year sleep between child and adult eras; not two separate sequels."
    },
    {
      "id": "oot-2026",
      "title": "Nintendo Japan — Ocarina of Time for Switch 2",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/jp/games/switch2/aa9ja/index.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Upcoming remake; November 5, 2026 release confirmed. Full remake not yet available for scene comparison."
    },
    {
      "id": "oot-retailer",
      "title": "Amazon US — Ocarina of Time Switch 2 edition",
      "url": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJ6F7L6T",
      "kind": "Retail edition",
      "note": "Actual product title checked; corresponding Switch 2 remake, not the N64 cartridge."
    },
    {
      "id": "tfh-gap",
      "title": "Nintendo — Tri Force Heroes story",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-3DS-games/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Tri-Force-Heroes-1026135.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official product description explicitly gives several years after A Link Between Worlds, same hero."
    },
    {
      "id": "st-century",
      "title": "Aonuma’s Spirit Tracks interval — referenced interview",
      "url": "https://zeldawiki.wiki/wiki/Spirit_Tracks",
      "kind": "Secondary",
      "note": "Secondary transcription of Aonuma’s roughly 100 years after Phantom Hourglass. Interval qualified as an estimate; original interview not independently viewed."
    },
    {
      "id": "imprisonment",
      "title": "Nintendo — Age of Imprisonment story",
      "url": "https://zelda.nintendo.com/hyrule-warriors/story/",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official ancient Imprisoning War setting. Do not confuse this war with A Link to the Past’s differently situated Imprisoning War."
    },
    {
      "id": "imprisonment-updates",
      "title": "Nintendo — Age of Imprisonment updates",
      "url": "https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68631/~/how-to-update-hyrule-warriors%3A-age-of-imprisonment",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Free post-clear challenges inventoried with the game; no distinct dated story asserted from an update note alone."
    },
    {
      "id": "botw-dlc",
      "title": "Nintendo — Breath of the Wild Expansion Pass",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Wii-U-games/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Breath-of-the-Wild-893260.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Master Trials and Champions’ Ballad descriptions; present trials and earlier Champion memories distinguished."
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity",
      "title": "Nintendo — Age of Calamity",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/hyrule-warriors-age-of-calamity-switch/",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official 100-years-before-Breath premise. Whole game script not inspected in this pass."
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity-divergence",
      "title": "Age of Calamity — time-travel outcome comparison",
      "url": "https://zeldawiki.wiki/wiki/Age_of_Calamity",
      "kind": "Secondary",
      "note": "Secondary documentation of Terrako’s changed history; explains an actual narrative incompatibility, not an arbitrary split."
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity-dlc",
      "title": "Nintendo — Guardian of Remembrance",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-ca/store/products/guardian-of-remembrance-70050000025934-switch/",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official DLC describes additional story stages. Distinct past/present scenes need a full chapter audit; no exact chapter timestamps invented."
    },
    {
      "id": "warriors",
      "title": "Nintendo — Hyrule Warriors complete contents",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/nl-nl/Games/Nintendo-Switch-games/Hyrule-Warriors-Definitive-Edition-1325999.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official description confirms all missions and paid Wii U/3DS DLC; Cia, Linkle and Great Sea side narratives identified."
    },
    {
      "id": "tingle",
      "title": "Nintendo — Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-DS/Freshly-Picked-Tingle-s-Rosy-Rupeeland-270847.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official Nintendo side adventure; no verified Hyrule-era insertion."
    },
    {
      "id": "tingle-love",
      "title": "Nintendo Japan — Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/bcnj/road/index.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official story route describes a book-world journey. No calendar or bridge to Rosy Rupeeland proved."
    },
    {
      "id": "crossbow",
      "title": "Nintendo — Link’s Crossbow Training",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Wii/Link-s-Crossbow-Training-281782.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official Twilight Princess locations. Exact before/after placement unestablished."
    },
    {
      "id": "bs",
      "title": "Nintendo Satellaview Zelda inventory",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellaview_games_from_The_Legend_of_Zelda_series",
      "kind": "Secondary",
      "note": "Secondary catalogue used for Map 1/2, four weekly episodes and Ancient Stone Tablets’ six-year interval. Original broadcast audio/interiors not inspected."
    },
    {
      "id": "bs-official",
      "title": "Nintendo’s archived Ancient Stone Tablets page",
      "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/19970605043353/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n03/program/rec/r9704/page_3.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Archived official Japanese text decoded as Shift-JIS and read directly: Link has defeated Ganon and departed on another adventure; a visiting avatar must gather eight tablets. Confirms four weekly broadcast episodes. The six-year interval itself is only secondary in this pass."
    },
    {
      "id": "cdi",
      "title": "Licensed CD-i Zelda games — publication inventory",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD-i_games_from_The_Legend_of_Zelda_series",
      "kind": "Secondary",
      "note": "Three Philips-licensed narrative games identified; no insertion into Nintendo’s Chronicle. No ROMs or unauthorized playable links supplied."
    },
    {
      "id": "media-inventory",
      "title": "Zelda licensed manga bibliography",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Legend_of_Zelda_manga",
      "kind": "Secondary",
      "note": "Older Mishouzaki/Cagiva/Ran Maru adaptations inventoried as a research gap. Publication years are not fictional dates."
    },
    {
      "id": "viz-oot",
      "title": "VIZ — Ocarina of Time Legendary Edition",
      "url": "https://www.viz.com/manga-books/manga/legend-of-zelda/product/4995",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Publisher premise, ISBN and Amazon product destination checked; combines the two original volumes. Bonus stories not fully inspected."
    },
    {
      "id": "viz-oracle",
      "title": "VIZ — Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages",
      "url": "https://www.viz.com/manga-books/manga/legend-of-zelda/product/5015",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Both manga adaptations collected in one edition; each linked beside its source game."
    },
    {
      "id": "viz-mm-past",
      "title": "VIZ — Majora’s Mask / A Link to the Past",
      "url": "https://www.viz.com/manga-books/manga/legend-of-zelda-majoras-mask-a-link-to-the-past-legendary-edition/product/5077",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Two separate retellings in one physical edition; do not merge their story positions."
    },
    {
      "id": "viz-minish-phantom",
      "title": "VIZ — The Minish Cap / Phantom Hourglass",
      "url": "https://www.viz.com/manga-books/manga/legend-of-zelda-the-minish-cap-phantom-hourglass-legendary-edition/product/5139",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Separate source-game adventures share an omnibus, not a fictional event."
    },
    {
      "id": "viz-four",
      "title": "VIZ — Four Swords Legendary Edition",
      "url": "https://www.viz.com/manga-books/manga/legend-of-zelda/product/5210",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Four-coloured Links / Shadow Link retelling. This adapts Four Swords Adventures, not the earlier Four Swords game. ISBN and direct Amazon match checked."
    },
    {
      "id": "viz-twilight",
      "title": "VIZ — Twilight Princess complete box set",
      "url": "https://www.viz.com/manga-books/manga/legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-complete-box-set/product/8007",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Publisher confirms all eleven volumes. Continuous retelling grouped; full interiors and possible additional time jumps not inspected."
    },
    {
      "id": "viz-ishinomori",
      "title": "VIZ — Ishinomori’s A Link to the Past",
      "url": "https://www.viz.com/manga-books/graphic-novel/legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past/product/4746/paperback",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Nintendo Power adaptation and licensed collection verified; distinct from Himekawa’s manga."
    },
    {
      "id": "historia",
      "title": "Dark Horse — Hyrule Historia and its exclusive manga",
      "url": "https://www.darkhorsedirect.com/products/the-legend-of-zelda-hyrule-historia-hc",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Publisher confirms exclusive Akira Himekawa comic. Available publisher images were book/art previews, not a full readable manga interior; no printed story date claimed."
    },
    {
      "id": "historia-biblio",
      "title": "Dark Horse — Hyrule Historia edition ISBN",
      "url": "https://images.darkhorse.com/libraries/downloads/LIBCON25_ESSENTIALS.pdf",
      "kind": "Primary catalogue",
      "note": "Publisher catalogue identifies ISBN 9781616550417."
    },
    {
      "id": "historia-story",
      "title": "Hyrule Historia manga — bibliographic placement",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Hyrule_Historia",
      "kind": "Secondary",
      "note": "Pre-Skyward Sword premise identified secondarily; specific relationship to game backstory not verified from the actual manga."
    },
    {
      "id": "tv-library",
      "title": "Public-library record — complete Zelda animated series",
      "url": "https://milwaukee.countycat.mcfls.org/Record/.b3526620x",
      "kind": "Bibliographic edition",
      "note": "Official disc contents catalogued by library; legal edition record, not an online viewing stream."
    },
    {
      "id": "tv-inventory",
      "title": "The Legend of Zelda animated series inventory",
      "url": "https://zeldawiki.wiki/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda_(TV_Series)",
      "kind": "Secondary",
      "note": "Thirteen episodes identified; no calendar or exact internal episode order established. Captain N appearances need separate episode audit."
    },
    {
      "id": "valiant",
      "title": "Grand Comics Database — Valiant Zelda series",
      "url": "https://www.comics.org/series/16511/",
      "kind": "Bibliographic edition",
      "note": "Five-issue licensed series; individual short-story/backup interior chronology remains uninspected."
    },
    {
      "id": "film",
      "title": "Nintendo Japan — live-action Zelda film",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/2026/260908.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Newest Japanese announcement dates theatrical release April 30, 2027. Fictional setting and connection unconfirmed; do not use release year as story year."
    },
    {
      "id": "cadence-hyrule",
      "title": "Nintendo: Cadence of Hyrule and Octavo’s Ode",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Cadence-of-Hyrule-Crypt-of-the-NecroDancer-Featuring-The-Legend-of-Zelda-1533129.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Publication / premise verified. Calendar placement is qualified separately; this is not a claim to have inspected the complete work."
    },
    {
      "id": "cadence-edition",
      "title": "Cadence physical edition: retailer-link cross-check",
      "url": "https://www.switchscores.com/games/2569/cadence-of-hyrule",
      "kind": "Retail link cross-check",
      "note": "Amazon B08F86ZDRV identified as corresponding physical Switch edition. Contents checked against Nintendo."
    },
    {
      "id": "cadence-cadence-age",
      "title": "Cadence: documented age uncertainty / childhood evidence",
      "url": "https://crypt-of-the-necrodancer.fandom.com/wiki/Cadence",
      "kind": "Secondary character reference",
      "note": "No confirmed numeric age; the often-repeated 17–18 is an estimate based on childhood memories. This does not prove a specific gap between Hyrule and Rift."
    },
    {
      "id": "cadence-future-world",
      "title": "Cadence of Hyrule: Future World and in-game dialogue",
      "url": "https://www.zeldadungeon.net/wiki/Future_World",
      "kind": "Secondary with game-dialogue references",
      "note": "Base story, Octavo’s future NecroDancer outcome, and Symphony’s Skull Ganon world are connected through Hyrule’s future. Their branch outcomes should not be read as one mandatory ending."
    },
    {
      "id": "cadence-mask",
      "title": "Nintendo: Symphony of the Mask",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-ca/store/products/cadence-of-hyrule-symphony-of-the-mask-70050000022294-switch/",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Publication / premise verified. Calendar placement is qualified separately; this is not a claim to have inspected the complete work."
    },
    {
      "id": "zelda-notes",
      "title": "Nintendo — ZELDA NOTES and Voice Memories",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Smart-device-games/ZELDA-NOTES-2790439.html",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "Official companion feature provides narrated incidents at visited locations. Individual story transcripts/periods have not all been inspected; do not group every memory into one precise historical moment."
    },
    {
      "id": "calamity-definitive",
      "title": "Nintendo — Age of Calamity Definitive Edition announcement",
      "url": "https://www.nintendo.com/my/news/article/5J7H0wFR4HoYaH14KipxRJ",
      "kind": "Primary",
      "note": "February 25, 2027 release announced. It revisits the same altered war; new-content chapter chronology unavailable at audit date."
    }
  ],
  "scope": [
    {
      "title": "Valiant’s The Legend of Zelda / Nintendo Comics System stories",
      "type": "Comic",
      "status": "Inventory verified; interior research pending",
      "note": "Five principal issues plus related short/backup appearances. Do not pretend the unread backups have no dates or force a single continuous chronology before legal interiors are inspected.",
      "sources": [
        "valiant"
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Older Japanese manga: Ran Maru, Yuu Mishouzaki, Ataru Cagiva and other magazine adaptations",
      "type": "Manga",
      "status": "Additional coverage pending",
      "note": "Separate versions of the original games, Adventure of Link, Awakening and A Link to the Past are bibliographically known. Exact licensed editions, short extras and interior dates still need verification; this page does not claim every historic manga is indexed.",
      "sources": [
        "media-inventory"
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Captain N’s Zelda appearances and licensed animation extras",
      "type": "TV episodes",
      "status": "Episode inventory pending",
      "note": "Connected licensed screen appearances need their own episode/source check; they are not silently folded into the thirteen-episode Zelda series.",
      "sources": [
        "tv-inventory"
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "LCD games, Tingle’s Balloon Fight / Dekisugi tools, Picross, cameos and minigames",
      "type": "Games / utilities",
      "status": "Narrative review pending or outside story scope",
      "note": "No full invented story dates for puzzle utilities, non-narrative clock modes, Smash/Mario Kart cameos or gameplay-only packs. A future pass can add verified narrative vignettes.",
      "sources": [
        "jp-history",
        "media-inventory"
      ]
    },
    {
      "title": "Soundtracks, concert films, reference guidebooks and promotional art",
      "type": "Reference / music",
      "status": "Not separate narrative entries",
      "note": "Historia’s actual bonus manga is indexed; guidebooks/music are otherwise sources or access editions, not newly invented chronological stories.",
      "sources": [
        "historia"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "audit": {
    "checked": "2026-10-14",
    "status": "Research edition — verification gaps disclosed",
    "checks": [
      "Primary Japanese chronology and current announcements checked on October 14, 2026. Real release dates never substitute for Hyrule calendar years.",
      "All twenty main-title rows on Nintendo’s History page included; the Oracle pair has two game records, and the A Link to the Past / Four Swords bundle is split into its two actual adventures.",
      "Nintendo’s three Ocarina branches retain shared beginnings. The Wild era’s connection is explicitly unspecified; its Imprisoning War is not confused with A Link to the Past’s.",
      "Oracle order remains player-selectable. The current Japanese Awakening-before-Oracle placement is retained rather than using the older Historia sequence.",
      "The upcoming Switch 2 Ocarina remake shares Ocarina’s story position; major remakes and ports are identified with their original adventures.",
      "VIZ retellings share source-game positions. Four Swords manga is grouped with Four Swords Adventures. Two-story omnibuses do not merge unrelated fictional events.",
      "DLC, Satellaview broadcasts, Tingle narratives, licensed CD-i material and the existing Cadence crossover were reviewed for omissions. Unsupported dates remain explicit gaps.",
      "Pre-build research table saved before page generation, then checked for branch/group contradictions, references, estimates and matching publisher-linked products."
    ],
    "gaps": [
      "Research edition, not a claim of complete script/interior inspection or exhaustive coverage of all historic licensed media. Outstanding manga, Valiant backup and Captain N inventories are listed below.",
      "Most classic games link to their Nintendo information pages because exact current Amazon editions were not verified. Manga and the forthcoming Ocarina remake have matched Amazon editions.",
      "The Historia bonus manga interior and manga bonus stories remain uninspected; their internal dates are not guessed from summaries. Continuous collected adaptations may contain additional jumps needing an interior audit.",
      "Spirit Tracks’ roughly century-long interval and Ancient Stone Tablets’ six-year interval rely on identified secondary documentation. Broadcast audio and full source interviews were not independently viewed.",
      "No exact Breath-to-Tears year gap or single connecting classic branch asserted. No story placement guessed for the unreleased live-action film.",
      "Age of Calamity / Imprisonment post-clear content and all minor updates require further stage-by-stage narrative inspection; no chronology inferred solely from gameplay availability."
    ],
    "publishReady": true
  }
}