Set on the timeline where Link was defeated by Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time and the villain claimed the full Triforce, this SNES classic sends a new Link into the corrupted Dark World to rescue Princess Zelda and six maidens.
Placement Reasoning
A Link to the Past is commonly assumed by fans to be part of an earlier 'era of creation,' but Hyrule Historia and Zelda Encyclopedia both place it as the opening title of the Downfall Timeline, not the pre-split trunk.
Notable & Interesting
- Introduces the Light World / Dark World structure that would influence dungeon design across the series for decades.
- Chronologically opens the Downfall Timeline, the branch where Ganon's victory in Ocarina of Time was never undone.
Connections
- Direct prequel to
Link's AwakeningIts Link sails off in triumph — and shipwrecks. - Thematically linked to
A Link Between WorldsThe same Hyrule, generations later.
Part of these threads
Key terms
Also on the Downfall Timeline
Link's Awakening
Shipwrecked on the dreamlike Koholint Island, Link must wake the Wind Fish by gathering eight musical instruments — only to discover the entire island may be nothing more than the Wind Fish's dream.
Oracle of Seasons
Link travels to Holodrum to stop General Onox from imprisoning the Oracle of Seasons, Din, using the Rod of Seasons to manipulate the land itself — one half of a pair of linked adventures developed alongside Oracle of Ages.
Oracle of Ages
Link's companion adventure to Oracle of Seasons sends him to Labrynna to rescue the Oracle of Ages, Nayru, from the sorceress Veran, using time-travel puzzles built around an ancient Harp.
A Link Between Worlds
A spiritual sequel set generations after A Link to the Past in the same Hyrule, where Link gains the ability to merge into walls as a living painting to stop the sorcerer Yuga from reviving Ganon.