Oracle Confusion
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While theorists tend to agree that Link's Awakening remains a sequel to ALttP, as it was originally intended, it is still the source of an interesting debate. When a full Linked Oracle Series (Oracle of Ages, Oracle of Seasons) is completed, the credits end with a shot of Link sailing away from the land in a one-man sailboat. The opening LA scene showcases Link battling a storm in a ship. Some fans correlate these events and conclude that LA is the sequel to the Oracle Series, and that Link's adventures in Holodrum and Labrynna constitute the "quest for englightenment" mentioned as the basis of Link's travels.
Why must LA be the sequel to ALttP?
The primary argument for LA's placement is one of intent. LA was the fourth canonical Zelda produced, and was undoubtedly a sequel to a past adventure, even touted as ALttP's continuation at the time of its release. It has much in common with AlttP including art styles (official and in game), enemies, and gameplay. Despite some uncertainty, it is commonly believed that LA follows ALttP, and Nintendo's Japanese site for the game still states this as a fact.
Of course, for those who do not respect developer intent, there is a canonical argument. The storyline of LA's prequel must meet a number of storyline requirements found in the prologue of the LA instruction manual;
- Though [Link] fulfilled the Hyrulean prophecy of the Legendary Hero
ALttP's Link fulfilled the prophecy of the Great Cataclysm. OoX's Link fulfilled no prophecy.
- Destroyed the evil tyrant Ganon
ALttP's Ganon was the tyrant ruler of the Dark World. OoX's Ganon only lived for 2 minutes.
- "Who knows what threats may arise from Ganon's ashes?" the restless people murmured
The people of AlttP's Hyrule knew of Ganon and his passing. The people of OoX's Hyrule did not.
It should be noted, however, that these details come from additions made by NoA in their translation of the manual. They may be based on official information within Nintendo, if that was conveyed to the writers, as NoA's translators usually say that this is part of the translation process, but their status as canon is questionable. The Japanese version is far less blunt in its implication of the game's placement. It merely states that Link "regained the peace of Hyrule from the demonic hands of the king of evil, Ganon" -- which would still appear to be unlike the plot of the Oracle games, as Link did not save Hyrule, but Holodrum and Labrynna.
Further evidence can be taken from Kodai no Sekiban, the Japanese AlttP sequel. In this game, Sahasrahla and Zelda needed to track down a new hero, as their AlttP ally had left Hyrule on a journey of enlightenment, just as LA's manual describes. There is also one line of dialogue specifically referencing the hero being unable to leave the "dream".
Could LA be the sequel to both the Oracles and AlttP?
A common attempt at reconciling these differences is the suggestion that the same Link is involved in all 4 games (Timeline: ALttP/OoS/OoA/LA). This could be refuted by OoX's princess Zelda who, upon meeting Link, introduces herself. (This line is likely to be the same in both games in the Japanese versions.)
- My name is Zelda. You must be Link. I knew it at first glance. (OoS, if played second)
- My name is Zelda. You are Link, right? I knew it at first glance. (OoA, if played second)
Had OoX been a direct sequel to ALttP, Link would not have needed any introduction. Similarly, Impa would have known who the hero of Hyrule was. It could be interpreted as Zelda wanting to be sure that it really was Link, but there is no implication of familiarity between them, only that Zelda was in contact with Impa previously and had heard of Link's exploits. "I knew it at first glance" wouldn't make sense if she had even seen him before.
Can there be a perfect Oracle placement?
For a particular spot in the timeline to accommodate the Oracle series, it should meet two main conditions: Ganon must be dead, and the Triforce must be whole in Hyrule Castle. This occurs at least twice in the series.
OoX may occur after TAoL. Both use the Triforce mark on the back of Link's hand as a symbol of a fated hero, instead of possession of a Triforce piece, both involve an attempt by Ganon's minions to revive a dead Ganon, and TAoL ends with the reuniting of the Triforce as it is shown in OoX's opening.
OoX may occur after ALttP, and probably LA, if they are assumed to have a separate Link. They share stylistic elements, similar items, and ALttP easily meets the "Dead Ganon, Whole Triforce" condition.
OoX may even occur shortly after TWW, as it too ends with a dead Ganon and a whole Triforce. But it should be noted that the intro scenes of both OoX games show a castle that is in a field, not underwater, and that Ganondorf in TWW was not in his pig beast/trident form.
True canonical placement of the Oracle games is likely impossible, as the games can be played and linked in either order, producing two eventualities in which Link fights Twinrova and then Ganon either in Labrynna or Holodrum.
