Video Game Theories

BoTW On the Timeline

It has been an ongoing dispute among fans as to where the newest entry of Zelda fits among the timeline. There is evidence to it fitting on each of the three branches (It has been verified by Nintendo that it does not take place in the unified timeline) Today, I'm going to defend the most popular theory, that it takes place in the Adult timeline, after Wind Waker, waaaaay after Wind Waker.

Here's the evidence:

- The item rock salt has an in game description that mentions an 'ancient sea' presumably meaning the Great Sea

- It would explain the existence of Rito and Koroks, both of which only exist in the Adult timeline

- It would explain Hyrule's ruins, they were not created in the Calamity, as one of Link's memories which shows Zelda examining a shrine still show the place in ruins, despite it being prior to the Great Calamity

- The Adult timeline is the only one that demonstrates a technological advancement, in Spirit Tracks, explaining the 'Ancient Sheikah Tech' It can be argued however, that the ancient tech is the same as shown in Skyward Sword's Lanayru Desert in the past, which is more similar in design. However, it is stated that the Yiga clan was created from the Sheikah who refused to give up their technology, this clan is never mentioned prior to this game, inferring that it was at a more recent time.

- It is mentioned by Urbosa that Vah Naboris was named after Nabooru from Ocarina of Time, inferring that these names are canon. If so, than Vah Medoh, would have to have been named after a famous Rito (Perhaps Medli from Wind Waker) There for, it would have had to be in the same timeline.

- One player noted the similarities between the Great Plateau's edges and Castle Town from OoT, it is possible that millions upon millions of years of being undersea, huge amounts of dirt and debris may have settled into the town. This would also explain the placement of Hyrule Castle being different, as they would have needed to move it from the original site, as it was buried under mud.

Contradictions to Contradictions to my theory

Master Sword Placement: It is placed in the lost woods, a placement exclusive to the Defeated Timeline. It is also clearly not in Ganon's head

- It is mentioned by the Zora king, that the Master Sword may have found a safe place to rest, meaning it may not be the same place as it was before

- In Skyward Sword, when Demise is sealed, it is stated that the Master Sword would dissolve his residual consciousness,  that may have happened to Ganon after him being sealed into stone. Sometime after, it may have been drawn again (remember, several battles with the Calamity have happened before BoTW) releasing Ganon, but having his consciousness dissolved, he turned into a beast of pure evil magic, or Malice

Zelda References Twilight Princess: Zelda says "Whether skyward bound, adrift in time, or steeped in the glowing embers of twilight..." at one point in the game, referencing Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time, and Twilight Princess. Twilight  Princess is set in the Young  Link Timeline

- For the sake of this theory, we are going to assume that the Twili were banished during the unified timeline, since there is no evidence for or against it. If they were, the events of Twilight Princess could still occur in any given timeline, with perhaps some differences.

If you have any other arguments for or against this, please tell me and I'll include them in the theory.