Either The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons is a good place to start; Nintendo does not require a particular order. Choose Ages if time-travel puzzles appeal to you, or Seasons if you would rather change the environment to open routes and solve obstacles. If you play both, completing the first gives you a password to use in the other for a more connected adventure.
Oracle of Ages vs. Oracle of Seasons at a glance
| What to compare | Oracle of Ages | Oracle of Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Labrynna | Holodrum |
| Main threat | Veran, Sorceress of Shadows | Onox, General of Darkness |
| Signature tool | Harp of Ages | Rod of Seasons |
| Core mechanic | Travel between the past and present | Shift seasons to change routes and obstacles |
| Puzzle feel | Use time-based cause and effect across eras | Change local conditions to solve environmental and traversal puzzles |
| Good first choice if you like… | Chronology puzzles and revisiting places across time | Altering the environment to change how you move through an area |
Nintendo describes the games as separate adventures with different stories and settings. The “good first choice” suggestions are based on their mechanics, not an official Nintendo ranking. Nintendo’s US Game Boy – Nintendo Classics catalog lists both games.
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Which game should you play first?
Start with Oracle of Ages for time-travel puzzles
In Ages, Link’s Harp of Ages lets him move between Labrynna’s past and present. Choose it if you enjoy seeing how a place changes over time and using those changes to work through puzzles.
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In Seasons, the Rod of Seasons lets Link alter the seasons in Holodrum. Choose it if you like changing conditions in the world to reveal routes, clear obstacles, and solve traversal puzzles.
#1 Best Overall
There is no required order
Nintendo presents each game as a self-contained adventure and does not prescribe which one to play first. You can begin with whichever central mechanic sounds more appealing, rather than treating one as a prerequisite for the other. The two titles originally released for Game Boy Color in 2001. Nintendo’s Oracle of Ages page identifies it as a Game Boy Color game originally released in 2001.
What playing both adds
Finishing either game gives you a password to enter in the other. Nintendo says the link can unlock certain items, let characters remember earlier actions, and expand story elements. In the linked second quest described on Nintendo’s Oracle of Ages page, the player name carries over, Link begins with more items than in the first quest, returning characters appear in cameos, and an additional final boss battle is included.
Rank #2
- Used Book in Good Condition
Nintendo of America recommends this approach for players who want a more connected experience: “We recommend playing the games in this way if you’re interested in a more connected experience!” The recommendation was published July 26, 2023, alongside Nintendo’s notice about the Oracle games.
How to play them now
For players in the United States, Nintendo’s Game Boy – Nintendo Classics catalog lists both games for access through a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo’s July 2023 notice says membership is sold separately. Check Nintendo’s current terms for availability and membership details; the Switch listing is a digital collection, not a physical Game Boy cartridge.
Rank #3
- The land of Holodrum is slowly withering. Onox, the General of Darkness, has imprisoned the Oracle of Seasons and is draining the very life out of the land. With the seasons in tumult and the forces of evil running rampant, the world looks for a hero... and finds Link. His quest won't be easy - he'll have to master the seasons themselves if he's to turn back the evil tide.
If you are looking for original hardware or collecting, “The Legend of Zelda Oracle of Ages Game Boy Color” is a specific search phrase for the original game. Current listings, prices, seller reliability, and cartridge condition are not established here, so check those details before buying.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- AUTHENTIC CARTRIDGE & BRAND NEW BATTERY: Genuine Zelda Oracle of Seasons game cartridge, fitted with a brand new battery. Authenticated using software and experience. The cart and label are in great condition. The save files are refreshed and reset ready for a new adventure!
- This renewed game will not come with the original case or manual; cartridge only. It has been cleaned, tested, and is in nice condition.
- REGION FREE: This game is region free and works on ALL Game Boy Color consoles around the world.
- ENGLISH LANGUAGE GAME: This game plays in English
- PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY: Designed for the Nintendo Game boy Color console system, this cartridge is also compatible with the Nintendo GBA & GBA SP Consoles
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