Nintendo has officially stated that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment for the Switch 2 is indeed a “canonical” installment in the Zelda franchise. This announcement appears to put an end to the ongoing discussion regarding the lineage of Age of Calamity among fans engaged with the series’ lore.
“Players of both The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will have the opportunity to battle through this canonical narrative that features Princess Zelda, King Rauru, and other familiar characters,” as highlighted in the official game description from Nintendo shared in a press release about the Switch 2 here.
Age of Imprisonment delves into the journey of Princess Zelda as she is sent back in time to explore a significant era in Hyrule’s history. This storyline parallels flashbacks featured in Tears of the Kingdom, although players can anticipate a more comprehensive view of these events since the game stands alone.
The setup mirrors that of Age of Calamity, which enriched the narrative depicted in flashbacks from Breath of the Wild. However, several inconsistencies between the narratives of the two titles have led many fans to view Age of Calamity as non-canonical. There exists a dedicated section on the Zelda Wiki that elaborates on the reasons it is excluded from the timeline.
Nintendo seems determined to preempt further debates on this issue by labeling Age of Imprisonment as a “canonical tale,” sparking curiosity among lore enthusiasts. In general, the backstory provided in Tears of the Kingdom has faced some critique within the community, and there’s already optimism on social media that Age of Imprisonment could enhance the narrative into something more engaging. Players will know for certain when Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment is set to release this winter.
Explore all of yesterday’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct announcements, or dive into our complete roster of upcoming Switch 2 titles.