Nintendo’s Julie Gagnon States Tri Force Heroes is a Side Game Not in the Timeline

Is Tri Force Heroes part of the Zelda timeline? According to Nintendo’s Julie Gagnon it’s not. However, game director Hiromasa Shikata had previously hinted heavily that the game is part of the timeline by stating “I can’t really designate which one of those branches we’re looking at” in a short conversation about where the game fits. If it wasn’t part of the timeline at all you would think the game’s director would say so. You can read his full remarks on the game’s timeline placement here. That being said, here is what Julie Gagnon told Nintendo Enthusiast:

“It really depends on what the developer has in mind for the franchises. Sometimes you have Zelda sequels and what we have today with Zelda: Triforce Heroes is completely different and not in the timeline of Zelda. So, it really depends on what the developer has in mind and what they propose. So, I think it’s more a coincidence that we have all these great franchises that people like for each year. This isn’t necessarily something we will see for all the years in the future.”

That’s a direct quote, but yes, we’re aware the title is actually Tri Force Heroes, not Triforce Heroes. Likely a mistake on the publishers part that wrote down the answer, rather than Gagnon’s fault. The real question however still remains a bit unanswered. The director of the game seems to be heavily hinting that it’s on the timeline, maybe even in a parallel universe, but Gagnon is stating pretty plainly it’s not and that the game is a side game.

Considering the game’s roots in Spirit Tracks and series producer Eiji Aonuma wanting to return to multiplayer like experiences such as we got in the Four Swords tails (which are part of the timeline), I would still venture to guess the plan is for this title to be included in the timeline. Whether or not that comes to fruition may still be up in the air.

Source: Nintendo Enthusiast