This review originally went live in 2013, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy / Game Boy Color library.
Ever since The Legend of Zelda released on the NES, Nintendo has played the franchise relatively close to its chest. Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto has had a hand in almost every release to date, and before the new millennium, Nintendo EAD handled development of each and every Zelda title. But when Nintendo wanted an all-new Zelda trilogy for the ageing Game Boy Color, it reached out to Flagship, a Capcom development team specialising in creating game scenarios and story development.
Hence Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons were born. Originally conceived as a trilogy, each title was to be based on a single piece of the triforce: Power, Courage and Wisdom. The games would each have a unique world and story, but could also be played together — in any order — via a code system, revealing an over-arching storyline and extra boss battles. Implementing such a code system across three games proved too cumbersome, so a time-strapped Nintendo had Flagship scrap the Courage game, transforming the remaining two into the Oracle games.
Based off the Wisdom element of the Triforce, Oracle of Ages remains one of the most puzzle-heavy games in the series. That's because, like Ocarina of Time before it, the story jumps between two timelines. But unlike in Ocarina of Time, Oracle of Ages’ time mechanic is central to the gameplay, requiring the player to constantly shift between past and present to solve puzzles and progress. This makes the simple act of navigating the world all the more entertaining, as you'll be manipulating time in order to change landscapes and alter the present day.
This power to time travel comes from the Harp of Ages, an instrument Link receives when Nayru — the Oracle of Ages herself — leaves it behind after becoming possessed by the evil sorceress Veran. In order to stop Veran from using Nayru’s body to travel into the past and alter history, Link must use the harp to flip-flop between eras, enabling him to traverse areas that might have become impassable due to the ravages of time, but are easily overcome in the past.
Like any good Zelda game, Link’s powers are limited at first, allowing him to only activate portals to the past by playing the Tune of Echoes. In order to navigate across the timelines, the player must seek out more portals, which are frequently hidden, and this gives the player a solid reason to partake in one of the most beloved Zelda pastimes — cutting grass. Besides netting the player hearts and rupees, mowing the lawn can also reveal these portals. Portals become increasingly harder to find as you progress, and this strong emphasis on exploration is addictive, largely thanks to Oracle of Ages' zany characters and diverse world.
The cast of characters that drive the plot are lovably finespun. Staples like Zoras and Gorons offer the expected levels of levity, but it's the characters unique to Oracle of Ages' story that really shine. One of the best has to be Nayru's overly-idealistic bodyguard Ralph, who regardless of being painfully ineffectual is still seen frequently rushing into the next area ahead of Link. Then there's Queen Ambi, the leader of the past version of Labrynna whom Veran seeks to control; she is seen transforming from a forlorn romantic into a deranged tyrant. Finally, there's the pesky Maple, daughter of Syrup who steals items from Link and doles out some of the best treasures in the game. Dutiful adventurers will discover even more connections between characters, as new items open up areas that can fill in even more of the story.
While mainstay items like the boomerang and Master Sword return, the game can actually be completed without the player ever even obtaining them. That's because aside from acquiring items from dungeons and treasure chests, you can also embark on some side quests and trade with NPCs to gain new equipment. There are all-new items for Link to use, like the ricocheting Seed Shooter, which can angle off walls to solve puzzles and activate distant switches. But if Link hopes to receive and upgrade each weapon in the game, he needs to explore the game's side stories across both eras.
On top of that, like in Seasons, there's a ring system that can augment Link’s power, adding an extra level of strategy to the game. Rings can increase attack power when life is low, boost your defence and even transform Link into a Like-Like. Some will actually decrease your powers though, so make sure to get your rings “appraised” by the game’s quirky, snake-training ring collector Vasu. While many rings can be obtained from treasure chests, the rare ones are gained by playing games and planting Gasha seeds (which grow treasure-bearing trees in the future), giving you even more incentive to explore Labrynna.
Aside from items, the Oracle games also introduce all-new mounts for Link to ride. Instead of Epona, there’s Ricky the boxing Kangaroo, Dimitri the swimming Dodongo and best of all the lovable Moosh, a big blue bear with comically tiny wings that grant him limited bursts of flight. These mounted segments are confined to just a few scenarios — some of which can be missed on a single playthrough — but they serve both as comic relief and a way for the game to shoehorn in additional puzzles. One instance has you rescuing Moosh from the Lost Woods, then using him to traverse a previously impassable area to gather up some lazy carpenters, enabling them to finish a bridge and get you access to the next area.
Graphically, the game certainly wasn’t blazing any trails in 2001; borrowing from the engine used in Link's Awakening DX, Oracle of Ages shares many visual similarities with the GBC remake. Enemy sprites are reused and the colour spectrum is rather limited, but nevertheless, the game still delivers an engrossing world thanks to the careful design of Labrynna and the powerful dichotomy between time eras, with past Labrynna's dreary upheaval clashing with the colourful and cheerful present day.
Zelda games are well-known for their boss battles, and Oracle of Ages doesn't disappoint. The bosses here are varied, intricate and — for the most part — fantastic. The first few may be a breeze, but later on, you'll have to use a slew of items and equipment to win. The limited interface can make this endeavour a bit muddled, especially when you need to use multiple items in succession, as frequently pausing to remap your buttons really breaks up the action. Regardless, the strategies required to defeat later bosses may have you stumped for a bit, but figuring out the formula and overpowering your opponents feels as rewarding as ever.
The story of Ages is all wound up and comes to a satisfying end, but it's hinted that another villain may have play a role, and to stop them you'll have to play Seasons as well, linking your next game with the code you receive at the end. If you beat Oracle of Seasons first, the same happens vice-versa.
Conclusion
Oracle of Ages somehow feels both new and familiar at the same time. While many beloved Zelda tropes remain, the game still takes plenty of chances, many of which really pay off. Link may have already done some time-travelling in Ocarina of Time, but in Oracle of Ages, it becomes the game's central aspect, making way for a puzzle-heavy adventure filled with colourful characters, interesting items and a plot much unlike those previously seen in the franchise. Link's Awakening may have given birth to its game engine, but Ages feel like a game all its own. While it may not be the most traditional Zelda game out there, that's certainly not a reason to avoid it: this is the perfect opportunity to experience what Oracle of Ages has to offer.
Comments 25
I never actually beat OoA since I got stuck at some whirlpool puzzle (also that game had some pretty confusing puzzles in general)
Guess it's time to fix that
The review mentions rescuing the carpenters with Moosh - but this section of the game is actually possible to do with either Moosh, Ricky, or Dimitri, depending on how you obtain the Strange Flute (win it from a minigame, buy it from the shop, or miss it until it's handed to you just before you get to this point). The terrain in the carpenter rescue section actually changes depending on whose flute you ultimately get.
This same is true for an area in Seasons as well - though I don't think there's a story quest there, it's just the overworld area en route to Sunken City IIRC.
Can't remember why I didn't finish this one back in the day, but I definitely got further than in Seasons (check my comment below that review to see how dumb I was) and really enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to replaying it and this time finishing it along with Seasons, most likely that one first and this one second, when I have the time for these games!
And still to this day...I haven't even played any of these two titles...
Why is that, I ask? Then again...I didn't know these two games existed at the time when I was 10. I like the art style of both.
I tend to consider both Oracle games as one big adventure but if I had to pick which one is better I'd agree Oracle of Ages is the better of the two. Looking forward to replaying both at some point.
Unlike most Zelda fans these were the first games in the series I ever played so I have a lot of nostalgia for the Oracle games and to me they're still one of my favourite games to play.
I never played this one. I did play Oracle of Seasons and remember enjoying it, although it's been a very long time (played it when it was current and all) and didn't hit me as too memorable compared to other games I had access to at the time. Nice that they're available now for me to give another look.
You guys gave Seasons an 8 and Ages a 9. SMH
Back when they released, I rated Ages higher because of the puzzle emphasis. After replaying the games multiple times, however, my opinion of Ages diminished, while my appreciation for Seasons has grown.
But of course opinions.
I think my biggest complaint with Ages is that it doesn't respect your time. The switching back and forth between time periods really gets absurdly frequent at points, and it bogs down the flow. Seasons is fast paced and just fun.
They got the scores on these games backwards.
Some of the puzzles in this game are brilliant. A very cerebral game.
Ages was the one I chose to start first out of the two and I've been having a great time so far in the 3+ hours I've put into it. The setting is very memorable so far (especially with how you're able to see it both in the past and present), the presentation/pixel art is still utterly stunning over 20 years later (how this was put onto a Game Boy Colour I'll never know) and, given how much of it's DNA is from Link's Awakening, it plays just as nice in the control/gameplay feel department.
I certainly have my gripes with it so far (such as the dreaded constant button swapping that plagued the original LA and a handful of very convoluted puzzles/mechanics) but right now, it's a very solid entry that I'm very happy to be playing through for the first time.
It also makes me sad that we haven't gotten a proper new 2D Zelda in over a decade but that's neither here nor there.
If anything, I am very happy more people might get to plays these very underappreciated classics.
Superb game. Played it a ton as a kid.
Glad to replay it again.
I love both oracles and agree with this review. I do want to say, however, that the visuals are significantly improved from LADX. Smaller details, more vibrant colors, and much more original mechanics and content.
OoA is top 5 in my book
Now they just need to give these two the remake treatment like links awakening. While we're on the subject why the heck aren't Ocarina of time, Majoras mask, Wind waker and Twilight princess on switch yet? I mean come on!
@Truegamer79 Wind Waker and Twilight Princess on Switch is just a matter of time. It made zero sense to release these ahead of TotK - we're now at the start of a... 6 maybe 7 year wait for the next new 3D Zelda? 2024 and 2025 or even 2026 are perfect for these games to take a year each to fill the void!
There have been rumours of a major new remake of Ocarina Of Time for some time now. The story goes... did TotK really take the entire Zelda dev team 6 years? Or did the team split up and work on something else?
I’m so happy the Oracle games came to NSO. Never played either of ‘em, so I started with Ages. And so far, it’s great! Can’t wait to start Seasons when I’m done. @Truegamer79 yeah like seriously Nintendo, get these classics to the Switch! You’re sitting on a massive pile of gold here, but doing nothing with it!
Despite these being on the NSO now, I still hope both Seasons and Ages can get remakes using the Link's Awakening remake as a baseline. If possible have them both be in one game package so that you can play both and then unlock the bonus content from beating both games as the originals had!
Finally, I have 0 excuse and I can finish these games! Only problem is that they gotta wait in the long backlog line that starts with TOTK
@nocdaes
Oh man a remake of OOT with modern graphics would be amazing! I wouldn't doubt it one bit if that were in the works!
I love the Zelda series, but this one just never worked for me. I gave up without finishing it the first two times I tried to play; I just got bored!
I will give it another go on the Switch, since I really do want to be able to say I've finished every game in the series, except the dreadful DS games. I hate the touch-screen controls. And also Tri Force Heroes. It got too frustrating to play solo!
This was one of my favorites back when I had a Gameboy, and eventually a GBC. I was amazed at the time travel mechanic, and it made me feel smart everytime I figure out the puzzles 😅
@Inkless I love the enthusiasm. These games are so great. Definitely the OG "cozy games" for me, along with LA.
Loved this and Seasons. Haven't played either in about a decade, so I'm ready. Hopefully, my kids can also appreciate these older games. They loved BotW and are playing tons of TotK, so I think I can get them to play both (along with Link's Awakening).
I played it not long ago. It was a good game, quite fun and well done, but I prefer A Link to the Past (by far), Link's Awakening and Minish Cap. It's much better than the DS games though, and it's there there with ALBW.
@Truegamer79 Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask are available on the Switch if you pay for the NSO expansion pack.
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