I never looked at this before, but I just did and here's what I know. Don't worry, no spoilers allowed in my house.
Miyamoto once said he didn't want to pin the Zelda story down when asked about the story differences in the original, A Link to the Past, and Ocarina. As the Mario series also shows, his games sort of relate but there's definately no concrete continuity. The Zelda series, however, has been getting more and more "pinned down." I've played EVERY Zelda excepting the CD-i things and read EVERY manual and story. I've beaten them all except the NES ones. Here is THE deal:
There are three storyline dimensions that fit concretely together: the Original dimension, the Uncle dimension, and the Deku dimension. I randomly gave them these names one bored day in study hall.
THE ORIGINAL DIMENSION:
The Legend of Zelda
Zelda II: Link's Adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
THE UNCLE DIMENSION:
The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
THE DEKU DIMENSION:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time/Master Quest
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
As you can see, I think mainstream appeal and Capcom involvement has tamed the Zelda story down, since the latest seven of the eleven games have all been in the same dimension. Now for explanations.
THE ORIGINAL DIMENSION: This is easy. Zelda II says, "After defeating Ganon" and everything fits. Link's Awakening does the same thing.
THE UNCLE DIMENSION: The SNES ushered in a new age of technology and a new age of Zelda story. You have an uncle and Hyrulian history and the Triforce are different.
THE DEKU DIMENSION: The next game screwed up the story even more and you were a Kokiri with a dead mom and a history of Hyrulian war. Majora's Mask fits after that since you're living your seven years and looking for Navi and Epona. The Oracles fit with Twinrova and all, but I'm not sure whether they come before or after the Majora incident. Four Swords fits since you just go to a temple. And The Wind Waker wraps it all up with -ahem- direct references.
“I’m a stupid fatty and I love to play with my Easy Bake oven!â€