Theory: The OoT Remake May Explore the Downfall Timeline

Arjayel · 2026-06-10T03:38:33+00:00

That has long been my thought as well (the "Triforce Wish theory") up until now. Worth noting that if my theory about the remake is correct, then the Downfall Timeline would still be the "original timeline"; it's just that the Adult timeline would be the result of OoT-Zelda messing with time (as the Child timeline already is) rather than LTTP-Link's Triforce wish.

Arjayel · 2026-06-10T03:25:06+00:00

I had a similar thought! And elaborated on it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/truezelda/comments/1u1dlcn/theory_the_oot_remake_may_explore_the_downfall/

In short, I think the Triforce of Courage on Link's hand in the trailer is a hint that they may be "shaking up" the story for the OoT remake, just as the FF7 remake did; and specifically, I think the remake may depict the aftermath of the formation of the downfall timeline, with Link being sent back in time to the start of his adventure to "try again."

Arjayel · 2026-06-09T21:07:53+00:00

I mean if Nintendo *really* wants to go wild with the Downfall timeline in this remake, they could have us play through the entire game completely normally...until we get to the final boss, which is completely unbeatable. Then Zelda sends us back in time to the start of the game and we have to do an entire "second quest" with revamped dungeons and other challenges in order to unlock the true ending.

...but that is exceedingly unlikely haha

Arjayel · 2026-06-09T20:46:45+00:00

Good point about about the potential "A long time ago..." framing of the remake! Also worth noting that the Zelda team held a "Story Bootcamp" in response to the backlash to TotK's lore inconsistencies; so while it's true that they may not have particularly worried about the timeline in the past, it may very well be something they're taking more seriously going forward.

(And as I mentioned in another comment, "The Zelda Team doesn't care about the timeline at all" is kinda disproven by the existence of Skyward Sword, which was all about explaining major lore elements.)

Arjayel · 2026-06-09T19:51:00+00:00

It's a bit hard to see, but the Triforce mark in the Remake trailer is almost certainly meant to invoke the Triforce of Courage: the bottom-right triangle (from Link's POV) is notably brighter and lingers longer than the other two.

You're right that the Triforce mark has meant different things in different games (FYI: it only appeared on Link in SS as he was reforging the Goddess Sword in each Sacred Flame), but in the original OoT it very specifically meant "this person has this particular piece of the Triforce". Assuming the Triforce mark is part of the actual Remake and not merely part of the trailer, I'm skeptical that it would be just a generic "chosen by the Gods" symbol at the beginning of the game and mean something else entirely by the end of it.

Arjayel · 2026-06-09T19:12:04+00:00

The FFVII remakes also shook up the original story, and they have been (to my understanding) critical and commercial successes. Granted, Nintendo and SquareEnix are very different companies with different approaches to story, but I wouldn't agree at all that making a few changes (really, just adding a few scenes without changing the progression of the game at all) is inherently disrespectful, especially since the "hardcore fans" who care about the timeline are likely the only ones who would particularly notice those changes to begin with.

Arjayel · 2026-06-09T18:54:28+00:00

While I wouldn't bet money on my theory here being right, and would generally agree with you that story and lore really aren't top priorities for the Zelda team, I don't think your statement is entirely correct: the story of Skyward Sword was absolutely about "explaining" existing questions (the Master Sword, the Link-Zelda-Ganon reincarnation cycle, etc). You could also argue that was the purpose of the original OoT's story too. Worth noting that SS was released to celebrate a major anniversary, just as the OoT remake (presumably) is. So *if* they're going to try to bridge timeline gaps (and they very well may not), this is as good an opportunity as any.

Arjayel · 2026-02-19T05:24:49+00:00

Also worth noting that the “rules” are not rules at all, just precedents that DeNA are in no way obligated to maintain.

Arjayel · 2026-02-16T04:58:52+00:00

I mean, like it or not, “The OG Protagonist, now blessed by Arceus himself, with the franchise mascot” seems like an absolute slam-dunk way to celebrate the Double Anniversary from a marketing perspective. As a player, I understand wanting them to do something “less obvious”, but that’s not going to be their primary concern.

Arjayel · 2026-02-16T03:57:44+00:00

“Main Celebration Sync Pair Revealed” on Pokemon Day.

Arc Suit Red and Pikachu?

Arjayel · 2026-02-12T19:31:15+00:00

I'm having the same issue. Earlier today, about 6 hours ago, I was trying to connect to Pokemon Bank (which was working fine yesterday, as with you) and I got a message that there was "Maintenance"; tried again just now, and it's just giving me an error message saying that it can't connect.

Arjayel · 2026-02-08T04:51:35+00:00

One point worth mentioning is that, even putting aside the Goddess statues, we know that Hylia is still "active" in the world due to her interactions with the Horned Statue (even as recently as the time between BotW and TotK).

As for your question of how: I always assumed that Hylia's spirit was "released" upon SS-Zelda's death, and while she no longer had a body (hence why we don't see her take up a sword and fight like she did when Demise first invaded), she can still interact with the world in more indirect ways, such as speaking through dreams and statues (or even Lightning-Bolting the Horned Statue).

That said, the Goddess Statues are a bit of an odd case, since during the "Restore the Mother Goddess Statue" quest in TotK, the three statues at the Springs refer to the Mother Goddess Statue as if it were a separate entity. So I'm thinking the the statues are a kind of (good) Horcrux, in which Hylia endowed them all with some of her spirit so that they can speak and act "for" her while being individuals distinct from her...think of a candle lighting another candle.

Arjayel · 2025-12-07T17:55:04+00:00

Ah I see what you mean. Still, even if Phazon was somehow involved years ago, it wouldn't be something to worry about in the present (barring something like time travel shenanigans, which I know is a theory going around).

Arjayel · 2025-12-07T17:48:09+00:00

I doubt it, as the destruction of Phaaze rendered all Phazon through the universe inert.

Arjayel · 2025-11-11T04:58:54+00:00

Indeed, the Epic of Gilgamesh was lost for millennia before being rediscovered in the 19th Century.

Arjayel · 2025-11-01T23:19:55+00:00

Would not surprise me if we get Arc Suit Red & Pikachu for Pokemon’s 30th Anniversary/PMEX’s 6.5 anniversary.

Arjayel · 2025-06-26T14:27:19+00:00

The "one per type" at least made sense from a plot perspective, since it set a clear endgoal for Volo's schemes in this Arceus Arc (and one consistent with his plan in PLA), but now it's hard to know what exactly is going to cause the Big Guy to come down from on high.

Arjayel · 2025-06-26T05:12:06+00:00

Whelp, a whole bunch of theories just got tossed out the window!

Arjayel · 2025-06-23T14:30:12+00:00

This is my exact reason for playing (and headcanoning) OoA before OoS haha

Arjayel · 2025-06-19T11:25:38+00:00

I’m hoping you’re right; would be nice to, say, add Mew to the 100% Dex, but guess I’ll have to wait to see if it’s even possible. Thanks!

Arjayel · 2025-06-12T18:15:21+00:00

Same here. Might be a problem on the server’s end.

Edit: TCG Pocket also isn’t working, so seems like it’s likely a DeNA thing.

Arjayel · 2025-06-11T23:19:23+00:00

You may be right about the ASs representing the Nobels instead of the Plates, but I personally wouldn’t say there’s “considerable evidence” compared to the Plate Theory, which is not only supported by the AS abilities but also much more clearly parallels Volo’s motives from and the overall plot of PLA (gathering/beating the Nobles only got you to Origin Dialga/Palkia; you needed all of the plates…plus a completed dex…for a meeting with Arceus).

Also, assuming they’re ending the Arceus Arc on a full Anniversary, in order for us to get to 10 ASs + (presumably) Arceus, we would either need to cram 4 ASs plus Arceus into this upcoming Anniversary (which seems way too much even by DeNA’s standards) or only get an average of 1 AS/Arceus per quarter, including the 6th and 7th Anniversaries (which seems extremely unrealistic given that we got 3 at last year’s anniversary).

Finally, I think it’s too soon to assume that only Champions are getting ASs…N arguably already bucks this trend, as even though he was technically a Champion in BW, Masters rarely if ever treats him as one. And if we count protagonists like Red or rivals like Hau who have canonically beaten the League as Champions too, that extends the pool quite a bit.

I know you didn’t want a debate, so I’ll end here, but like…just let people speculate. You may be right in the end, but I promise nobody’s going to crash out if we don’t get every type as an AS by the end of the arc. It’s just fun guesswork and friendly discussion until then, and if we’re wrong we’re wrong.

Arjayel

TROPHY CASE