[ijdgaf]

Pure speculation, and it ignores so many details as to make it virtually worthless, such as:

1) When LttP came out, it was pretty much universally referred to as a prequel to LoZ and AoL. We see the story of the sages for the first time (in terms of game release). Plus, there are lead-in hints in Wind Waker for this story to happen next.

2) Minish Cap has frequently been referred to as the very first game in the timeline. Which would pretty much make all the four swords games before everything else. Also, they deal with a different villain. It's easy to infer that they predate Ganon(dorf)'s existance.

3) The Link of the Oracle games has never met Zelda. He cannot be the Hero of Time.

4) The joint ending of the Oracle games makes it clear that that this Link is the same as the Link of Link's Awakening. Pamphlets may have indicated otherwise in the past, but I think the story presented in games tends to supercede any other so-called "canon".

5) Four Swords Link is pretty obviously Four Sword Adventures Link.

6) There's really no need for a timeline split unless you really feel the need. It works just as well without. Unless Twilight Princess indicates such a split, it's mostly unnecessary and I would prefer a simpler explanation.

Not that any of it is really that important. The games, for the most part, deal with unrelated heroes who stand perfectly well on their own. Miyamoto has said they have an ultimate version of the timeline locked away somewhere, but it really doesn't matter either way. I guess it's cool that the games are starting to connect the dots, and it's fun to think about. But it's really not worth devoting too much attention to.