Editing The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

{{Game
| name=The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
| image=[[Image:Oracleofages.jpg|200px]]
| bgcolor=silver
| fgcolor=black
| developer=[[Flagship]]
| publisher=[[Nintendo]]
| genre=[[Adventure]]
| system=[[Game Boy Color]], [[3DS Virtual Console]]
|release='''Game Boy Color'''<br />JP February 27, 2001<br/>US May 14, 2001<br/>EU October 5, 2001<br />'''3DS Virtual Console'''<br />JP February 27, 2013<br />US/PAL May 30, 2013<br />SK April 20, 2016
| gallery=[http://www.gamehiker.com/gallery/index.php?cat=13 Gallery]
| rating= ESRB: E
|}}

'''The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages''' is a [[Portal: The Legend of Zelda|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 ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|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. One minor addition in both of the ''Oracle'' games is the addition of collectible rings, which can be equipped to enable a variety of different effects.

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 to play an alternate version of ''Oracle of Seasons'' in which the game is changed slightly to act as a sequel to ''Oracle of Ages''. A password from a completed ''Oracle of Seasons'' does the same for ''Oracle of Ages'', and one game must be played in sequel version in order to reach the games' true final act. Passwords can also be used to obtatin upgraded items and to transfer rings from one game to another.

=Continuity Notes=

*The ''Oracle'' games have had an uncertain timeline placement until the release of the [[Hyrule Historia]]. On the official timeline, the ''Oracle'' games take place between ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'', and all three games follow the same Link and Zelda. The timeline also shows that ''Seasons'' canonically is the first ''Oracle'' game. These games all take place on the branch of the ''Zelda'' timeline in which Link failed to defeat Ganon at the end of ''Ocarina of Time''. There are several possible continuity errors associated with this, as Zelda seems to be meeting Link for the first time, there is no explanation for this [[Impa]]'s absence from ''A Link to the Past'' (aside from possibly already investigating the other lands), and both Link and Zelda have younger-looking designs than those used in ''A Link to the Past'' and ''Link's Awakening''.
*This game takes place at a time when [[Ganon]] is already deceased and the [[Triforce]] also appears to be in Hyrulean possession (although the status of the Triforce is not clearly possessed). This could follow the endings of either ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'' and ''A Link to the Past'', and the latter choice turned out to be canon.
*[[Twinrova]] specifically appears and plays a vital role in the revival of Ganon. This connects with ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|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'', which seems to have still occurred in this branch of the 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''. In light of the timeline placement, the Triforce mark may be due to the Link having used the Triforce in ''A Link to the Past''.
*These games also features new versions of various characters from both ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|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 foreshadows ''Link's Awakening'' as Link is seen leaving on a ship while what appears to be a storm is seen in the distance.

=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 Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'' in 2004.

==Ports/Remakes==

*In 2013, it was released for download through the [[3DS]]'s eShop as part of the [[3DS Virtual Console]] at the same time as ''Seasons''.
*In July 2023, it was added to the [[Switch]]'s digital library of [[Game Boy]] games that could be played by [[Nintendo Switch Online]] subscribers.

==Sequels==

The next game in the ''Zelda'' series was ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past & Four Swords|Four Swords]]'', which was released with a remake of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''.

{{Zelda Series}}

[[Category: Video Games]] [[Category:Game Boy Color Games]] [[Category: Zelda Games]]