The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons?
What’s better: The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons? Both overlooked mainline entries in the Zelda series, these two games were developed by Capcom’s subsidiary, Flagship – the same team behind the GBC entries.
We recently played both of these Game Boy Color games again to help give newcomers to 2D Zelda games a point of reference. While Oracle of Seasons focuses more on combat, we find it comparable to A Link to the Past’s emphasis on classic Zelda swordplay. If you’re looking for a more traditional Zelda experience, you should start here.
That said, we prefer Oracle of Ages for its complex puzzles, which are more rewarding and less taxing on players. The Oracle games are also blessed with some of the series’ most unique mechanics: changing seasons in Oracle of Seasons and time travel in Oracle of Ages. We’d recommend playing both games if you can, as the overall story is better experienced together. However, you can unlock the true ending of both games by completing one and using a password in the other.
The Story
The Oracle games have completely different stories that are worth experiencing separately. You’ll have a fuller appreciation of the Hyrule’s timeline if you do manage to play both games as well.
In Oracle of Seasons, you play as Link, and the game’s story centers around the Oracle of Seasons itself. By changing Hyrule’s seasons, Link inadvertently alters the climate across the whole land, causing havoc for Hyrule’s residents and giving rise to the villainous General Onyx. In Oracle of Ages, you play as the same character but in a different land: Labrynna. It’s worth noting that this is the same land from which The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks takes place, though you don’t need to play that game to appreciate Ages.
Unlike Oracle of Seasons, which features a fairly straightforward plot, Oracle of Ages’ story is more complicated. You play as Nayru, the middle sister of the three Goddesses. She has the power to travel through time and right wrongs, and you’ll use this ability to help Link and the land’s residents repeatedly. In fact, you’ll use it so much that you’ll eventually meet your demise. Fortunately for you, you’ll be traveling through time again to save your life.
Gameplay
The Oracle games have completely different stories, but they both offer unique gameplay mechanics.
Oracle of Seasons features changing seasons, which you can trigger with the season ring. This item allows you to switch between summer, autumn, winter, and spring and affects the landscape. Each season offers different ways to solve puzzles and progress. For example, certain doors might be locked in a season where they can’t be opened, but you can burn them down with a flame rod.
Meanwhile, Oracle of Ages features time travel, which Nayru can utilize to visit the past or future. You’ll use this ability to solve environmental puzzles, find secrets, and even save lives. Nayru’s time travel ability is integral to the story, making this game’s puzzles more complex and rewarding.
Both games’ combat systems are comparable to other entries in the series. Oracle of Seasons is more complex and requires more reading of enemy behavior, but both are straightforward and accessible for newcomers.
Which Zelda game should I play first?
While we recommend Oracle of Ages for experienced players, it’s worth starting with Oracle of Seasons if you’re new to the 2D Zelda games. The combat system is comparatively more complex, so it’s a good place for newcomers to get their bearings.
If you do play both, you’ll unlock the true ending of both games. You don’t need to play both games to understand their stories, but it’s worth it just to experience everything.
