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The series has evolved through the years since its inception in 1986, and the main character, Link, has undergone similar evolution. The lifetime of The Legend of Zelda can be broken down into three distinct eras, each approximately 12 years long:
Era One: The Original and the Immature (1986-1998)
Link is a boy in a tunic similar to Peter Pan, and he is already established as the hero set out to save the princess. In this era, only four games are produced: The Legend of Zelda, Zelda: The Adventure of Link, A Link to the Past, and Link's Awakening. Link's character concept remains essentially the same (with minor changes for A Link to the Past). This inspires cultural works around the series such as the animated TV show and the Phillips CD-I spinoff games of an immature hero.
Era Two: Adult Link and Toon Link (1998 to 2011)
Ocarina of Time is a major factor in changing the trajectory of the series. We meet Adult Link, a fully matured hero, and we also start looking into Link's backstory in each game made in this era. This era is known to us as "The Golden Age" of the Zelda franchise as fans flock to the series. Nintendo produces nearly triple the amount of games with 11 new titles in this era as opposed to the previous four. For the handheld and 2D games, Toon Link becomes the new face of Link, replacing the original Link design. As a character, Link is less established at the beginning of each game, and players are more immersed in the Hero's Journey as they develop Link into the hero. This era ends poetically with Skyward Sword, the origin story of Link and Zelda.
Era Three: Legacy and the True Link (2011 to present)
After Skyward Sword, Nintendo remakes several games for newer consoles, reigniting interest in some of the classic games in the series. These games solidify the legacy of the series within the fandom. Then, Breath of the Wild breaks the conventional linear storytelling and introduces an open-world adventure through Hyrule. This allows players to become Link themselves and embark on a choose-your-own-adventure quest. This makes Link a literal "link" between the players and Hyrule, bridging reality and fantasy. This seems to be the trajectory of the series leading in the sequel, which could potentially mark the beginning of a new era of Zelda.
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This episode is rated Casual. Discussion topics are intended for those who have played the games and are familiar with the stories, gameplay, and lore. There’s will also likely be spoilers to those who haven’t played through the games. We recommend spending a couple hours playing the games from this episode before listening.
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