The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Developer	Flagship
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Game Boy Color
Release Date	JP February 27, 2001 US May 14, 2001 EU October 5, 2001
Genre	Adventure
Gallery	Gallery
Rating	ESRB: E

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages is a Zelda game for the Game Boy Color. It was released at the same time as The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, which it acts as a companion to.

Development

The Oracle games started off when Flagship's head coerced Nintendo into allowing them to create six handheld Zelda games. The original idea was two would be remakes of earlier games, starting with a new version of the original The Legend of Zelda (the other would presumably be Zelda II: The Adventure of Link). However, they had problems bringing Zelda to the Game Boy Color due to the difficulties sprouting from the different screen sizes, and they also modified the map beyond recognition to make it easier for the newer generation of players.

At Shigeru Miyamoto's suggestion, the plan was converted into a "Triforce Trilogy" of connected games, which became referred to in English as Mystical Seed of Power, Wisdom and Courage. The first game would be action-oriented, the second would involve color-based puzzles, while the final game would involve the mechanic of solving puzzles at different times of day. One of the titles would still be based on The Legend of Zelda. Once they decided to connect the games through a password system, it proved to be complicated enough that it was decided that one of the games should be cancelled. Mystical Seed of Courage was cancelled, while the other two games became Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, although they still incorporated some homages to The Legend of Zelda.

Story

Link is called by the Triforce to the temple in which it is held. After touching the Triforce, Link is transported to a forest. Hearing a woman scream, Link finds a woman surrounded by monsters. Link saves the woman and she introduces herself as Impa. Impa asks Link to help her find a singer in the forest. Soon, they find Nayru singing to the animals of the wood. A shadow emerges from Impa and reveals herself as Veran. Veran possess Naryu and, using Naryu's abilities as Oracle of Ages, disrupts the time flow.

Impa gives Link a sword and sends him to he Maku Tree in Labrynna City. The Maku Tree has disappeared in the present due to Veran's interference, so Link travels to the past to save it. When Link visits the restored Maku Tree in the present, he is told he must gather the eight Essences of Time.

Gameplay

Oracle of Ages plays much like Link's Awakening, the only previous Zelda handheld game. It uses the same two button control system and features the same balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, and action.

The central item of Oracle of Ages is the Harp of Ages. Using the Harp of Ages, the player can travel through time. By traveling between the past and present, Link can solve puzzles. For example, by pushing a rock in the river in the past, the river will change it's course.

Another unique feature is the connectivity the game shares with Oracle of Seasons. At the end of the game, the player is given a password that allows them an alternate version of Oracle of Seasons. The game is changed slightly to become a sequel to Oracle of Ages. A password from Oracle of Seasons does the same for Oracle of Ages. Passwords can also be used to get upgraded items and to transfer rings from one game to another.

Continuity Notes

• This game takes place at a time when Ganon is already deceased, which would seem to place it at a late point in the series. The Triforce also appears to be in Hyrulean possession (although the status of the Triforce is not clearly possessed), which would match up with the endings of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link as well as A Link to the Past.
• Twinrova specifically appears and plays a vital role in the revival of Ganon. This connects with Ocarina of Time, where they were introduced as Ganondorf's surrogate mothers. It is uncertain but clearly possible that these two are the same witches. The only point of possible doubt is their apparent death during Ocarina, although then again revelations about the ending of Ocarina make it possible that they survived in the other timeline.
• Link starts both games with a Triforce mark in his hand, which is shown to be the mark of the hero. This specifically acts as a callback to Zelda II.
• These games also features new versions of various characters from both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Although this would be a recurring feature in future games, these were the first games to reuse characters without an in-game explanation.
• The ending of the linked Oracle of Ages/Seasons game could be possible foreshadowing to Link's Awakening, as Link is seen leaving on a ship while what appears to be a storm is seen in the distance. It seems to be set to lead directly into the opening scenario of Link's Awakening, although it has been most commonly cited (and originally intended) as a follow-up to A Link to the Past.

Legacy

The Oracle games marked the beginning of Flagship and Capcom's role in making Zelda games. They continued with several more contributions in the following years, some of which incorporated nods to the Oracle games, until they ended with The Minish Cap in 2004.

Sequels

The next game in the Zelda series is Four Swords, which was released with a remake of A Link to the Past.