Amazon Maximum Age: 17 years Amazon Minimum Age: 72 months Binding: Video Game Brand: Nintendo EAN: 0045496731380 ESRB Age Rating: Everyone Label: SPIG Manufacturer: SPIG Platform: Game Boy Color Publisher: SPIG Sales Rank: 2703 Studio: SPIG
Product Description: Simultaneously released with Oracle of Seasons, this second Capcom-developed Zelda game is widely regarded as the more difficult of the two adventures, Oracle of Ages sees Link embark on a similar quest to that in Oracle of Seasons, in that he must rescue a beautiful woman from the clutches of an unspeakable evil. Link's adventure begins when he awakens in a strange forest deep within the land of Labrynna. By using the Harp of Ages, Link is able to transcend the very fabric of time, allowing him to jump between the past and present as the need arises. Complete the adventure to receive a password that can be used in Oracle of Seasons
Amazon.com Review: One of two new Zelda games for the Game Boy Color, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages is geared towards the cerebral gamer, with its heavy focus on puzzle solving. The Triforce has alerted Link to trouble in the land of Labrynna, where the evil sorceress Veran has possessed Nayru, the Oracle of Ages. Veran travels back in time, setting up events that lead to a world where evil dominates. It's up to you to help Link stop Veran and set things straight.
Game mechanics and menus are similar to those found in Link's Awakening, also for the Game Boy. As in almost every Zelda game, you have to traverse eight dungeons and find eight key items. The harp of time is vital to your quest--it's required to manipulate events and stop Veran's rewriting of history.
Although this game is extremely enjoyable on its own, you'll want to use it in conjunction with its sister title: Oracle of Seasons. After you complete one game, you'll be given a password that lets you begin with all your items, statistics, and progress intact in the other. Certain characters will appear only by playing both games. By using a link cable, players can trade items. Game Boy Advance users will find a store that's exclusive to them.
While this is an excellent game, it might be too complicated for younger gamers or those looking for mindless fun. --Raymond M. Padilla
Pros:
Dozens of crafty puzzles
Great as a standalone; outstanding in conjunction with its sister game
Nice bonuses for Game Boy Advance owners
Cons:
Lots of reused sound effects from previous Zelda games
Longtime gamers might find the story and level design contrived
Be prepared for many puzzle-induced headaches
Amazon.com Product Description: One of the most highly esteemed digital adventures is back on your Game Boy Color console in two new games: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. Both are independent games, but when they're linked between two Game Boy Color consoles via the separately sold Game Link cable, players can share items, uncover story elements, and unlock hidden areas in each game.
Using the Harp of Ages, Link must travel through time and space to save Nayru, the eponymous prophet in Oracle of Ages, who's been kidnapped by the evil sorceress Veran. By learning new melodies to play on the harp, players will travel to the past and affect changes in the present to solve the game's varied puzzles.
In Oracle of Seasons, players help Link embark on a quest to recover the Essences of Nature. To do so, he must first find the Rod of Seasons, a magical item that lets Link transform the landscape into the season of his choice, helping him overcome obstacles and solve puzzles. Ricky the kangaroo, Moosh the winged bear, and Dimitri the dodongo accompany Link on this adventure.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - One of the best games I've ever played
Damn, that's a good game! I played every Zelda between Link to the Past and Twilight Princess, and I think that given the capabilities of the console it's on, this game is the best one. The story is one of the best in the series with progressive developments, twists and great character interaction. Although you'd think it would be less epic because it is not set in Hyrule, it actually feels equally epic. Time traveling (or traveling between one world to another--an aspect of almost every Zelda game) is done better than in any other game in the series. Also, the action before dungeons shines here like in no other Zelda game. This game features eight dungeons (nine if you're playing a linked game), not five-six like the more recent ones. Furthermore, whereas in most Zelda games, you don't go anywhere new after the first couple of dungeons, here you go to a new area after every dungeon, keeping the sense of exploration and excitement throughout the entire quest. Also, instead of becoming more rushed, action between dungeons gets longer and richer as you go on, eliminating my biggest complaint about most Zelda games. Also, although this is only a Game Boy game and doesn't include magic, the number of unique features like growing trees, collecting rings, etc. is staggering. The mini-games are numerous, there are a ton of things to do in town and to spend money on, and you can even ride one of three animal companions and swim quickly on the water surface or on the sea bottom in a mermaid suit. Overall, whereas Oracle of Seasons, although great, feels like it is from the older, less advanced era, Ages feels more refined than even the 3-D Zeldas. It is also tougher than the 3-D games, but you get a lot of heart pieces and potions early in the game, and enemies aren't as numerous as in Seasons, so you won't be frustrated because you're constantly dying.
Anyway, buy the game. You'll end up replaying it again and again. If you want to link it with Seasons, which adds weapon upgrades, additional items, an extra challenge dungeon (the most challenging level in any game I've played), and Twinrova and Ganon boss fights in the end, I recommend that you play Seasons first. It feels more simplistic, so you'd feel like you're building up to the more complex Ages.
Rating: - Oracle of Ages Review
This is possibly one of the hardest Zelda games you will ever come across (of course Legend of Zelda and Link's Awakening are the other 2 Zelda's that are more difficult). The game is part of a 2 part game where you will need Oracles of Season to *complete* the game (you will get a ending for beating either Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Season by itself but you will not get the best ending without having both games). Also, unlike the pokemon series (which had Red and Blue versions which was the exact game but different pokemon included), the Oracle series are 2 completely different games. Oracle of Ages has a lot more puzzles and requires you to think a lot more in the dungeons. If you are not very familiar with RPG or Adventure games you will be stuck in a lot of spots (Oracle of Season is more action based and features less mind throbbing dungeons). Overall, Oracle of Ages is a great addition to the Zelda series (though I prefer Oracle of Season simply because I played that game before this game and had a more enjoyable time playing).
I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the Legend of Zelda series as it is simply too good to pass.
Note: This game is no longer produced and very rarely sold in Mint Condition so be prepared to pay a lot for it, otherwise be wary of used copies as this game was released around 2000 and the battery might be dying on some of the used copies.
2nd Note: This game can only be played on Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy SP (Game Boy Micro and DS cannot play this game)
Rating: - Probably my favorite of the 2
It's strange reviewing Oracle of Ages since, fundamentally, it's the same as Seasons. Same gameplay style, graphical quality and a theme to the puzzles but in the end these games are like one large story cut in half. But at times I tend to be biased towards the series since it's probably my favorite game series period not just in gameplay-wise but since I've never played a Zelda that I didn't either love or at least like(don't even think about suggesting those CD-I ones) and Ages is in the love group....sounded cheesy to say but how else can I word it? Ages is excellent.
Story: Each game requires you save a princess and this time it turns out to be Nayru, Oracle of Ages. The one behind this is Veran and she intends to write history so Link, with the help of a mystical harp, has to stop Veran and if you play a linked game, beat the true masters behind it all. It's not exactly the deepest story but I didn't even care since I got wrapped up in it anyway.
Graphics: This is Game Boy Color but regardless there vibrant and colorful with certain locations looking great and really pushing what the GBC can pull off at the time. It's a minor nitpick but whereas the various seasons in its sister game where colorful and rich regardless if it was fall or spring, the different times here just look kinda...plain looking. But it helps differentiate the past and the present.
Sound/Music: Music is of course excellent and even if it came out of tiny speakers, they're still hummable and well-composed music. And of course you should know by now there's no voice acting to speak of since this is the GBC and a Zelda game no less.
Gameplay: In a way it's similar to Link to the Past where altering something in the past affects progression in the present. Go in the past and change something and next thing you know the present has a brand new thing you can use. While I love the season dynamic better, the time aspect is quite fun and even genius at times. One thing though: Ages is the more difficult and the reliance is more on the series' trademark puzzles rather than outright fighting so better do brain massages Mr Burns style if you're going to pass these brain busters.
The unique feature of these 2 games is in its password feature: beat one and you get a password. Load the other and input the password and NPC's from here will recognize you there and even make you do quests to get awesome items. Not to mention there's an additional ending to get if you beat both games using a password. One gripe is that you at times feel like you have to go back and forth and can't really switch games on the fly.
Odd to say but one reason I gravitated to Ages when I was younger was because Nayru was the hotter Oracle than Din was and I had to save this one. Strange no? But regardless overall this is probably my favorite even though the seasons changing is better than the time one. But still if you can track these down, definately pick them up.
Rating: - A Zelda All Star
I love this game. It has the best story line. Not only that Zelda games should be made on Nintendo systems. I think they should be made on PS2 also.
Rating: - Best game ever
This game is awesome beyond all of the zelda series. It has a excellent story line and is perfect,.
