<P> The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) is the first 3D game in the Zelda series, and is the final game that occurs within the "Singular Timeline". Link must constantly travel between the present and the future by using the titular Ocarina of Time in order to stop Ganondorf's takeover of Hyrule . As a result, Link comes to be known as the "Hero of Time", and is successful in stopping Ganondorf both in the present (via warning Zelda about his plot) and in the future (via direct combat and subsequently sealing him in the Sacred Realm with the help of the six sages and the Master Sword). Link is also accompanied by the fairy Navi, who gives him hints about enemies and / or his surroundings, which is a first in the series . The ending of Ocarina of Time also notably marks the timeline split of the in - game universe's chronology: the "Adult Link Timeline" occurs after Link has defeated Ganondorf in the future, the "Child Link Timeline" occurs after he is transported back to the present and warns Zelda of his plot to conquer Hyrule, and the "Fallen Hero Timeline" occurs after he is defeated by Ganondorf in the future . </P> <P> The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (2000) is a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time, and occurs several months after Link defeats Ganon and is sent back in time to his childhood . As a result, it is the first game set in the "Child Link Timeline", an alternate timeline to the "Adult Link Timeline" and the "Fallen Hero Timeline". While searching for Navi after she left him for unknown reasons at the end of Ocarina of Time, Link runs into Skull Kid, a character briefly featured in Ocarina of Time, and mysteriously ends up traveling to the land of Termina . He must save this land from the evil of Majora's Mask, which has drawn the moon into a decaying orbit, threatening to crash into Termina's primary town, Clock Town, in three days . Link uses the Ocarina of Time to play the Song of Time, which he can use to travel back in time when he plays it, to relive these three days repeatedly so he can prevent the disaster . Along the way, Link finds many magical masks of his own, some of which allow him to transform . Those masks can turn him into a Goron, Deku Scrub, Zora or the "Fierce Deity", a powerful, adult - like form . Miyamoto mentioned that "we wanted Link to get inside of a wonderland, to experience the adventures and think hard about what he should do ." </P> <P> The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (2001) occur between A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening . They feature the Triforce sending Link on a mission to the foreign lands of Holodrum and Labrynna in order to stop the disruption of the seasons by the General of Darkness, Onox, and the disruption of time by the Sorceress of Shadows, Veran . After playing both games, it is revealed that the events of both games are part of a sinister plot by Twinrova to light the Flames of Destruction (lit by the actions of Onox), Sorrow (lit by the actions of Veran), and Despair (lit when Zelda is kidnapped) as part of a ritual to resurrect Ganon . In the end, Link must save Zelda and defeat the Twinrova before Ganon is resurrected . </P> <P> In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords (2002), Four Swords occurs at some point after The Minish Cap and before Ocarina of Time . Zelda goes to the Sanctuary of the Four Sword with her friend, Link, to check on the seal containing the evil Wind Mage, Vaati . The seal has weakened, however, and Vaati emerges, kidnaps Zelda, and defeats Link . Later, Link finds three fairies, who instruct him to draw the Four Sword . The magical Four Sword divides him into four identical Links . The first Link wears his traditional green outfit; the second, a red version; the third, blue; and the fourth, purple . The Links must cooperate to overcome obstacles, collect keys, and storm Vaati's Palace so they can rescue Zelda and reseal the Wind Mage . </P>

Why is it called the legend of zelda when you play as link