Here's the thing. These games used the same engine on the GBC as Link's Awakening. They remade Link's Awakening. So they can use the remake's engine to remake these. It would work perfectly.
literally came down here to comment this, i love playing the new links awakening, as a new player who wasnt born when the original came out, and would love to experience these games also remade
Man, I remember being a child and loving the commercial for Season/Ages everytime it came out on TV back then. I only had Ages, and played it for hours and beat it so many times too
The key was to have a friend who got the other one. For me it was a cousin who got seasons and then I got ages. I met another kids who nonchalantly mentioned he had both and thought “what a spoiled rich kid” lol. Of course I ended up getting seasons for myself anyway
A couple of the things that I like better by doing Ages first and Seasons second are the new additions that happen from doing Seasons as a linked game. Mentok mentioned the Ambi finding her lost love at last one. But one he did not mention is that the despair flame getting lit via Zelda's kidnapping makes a lot more sense in a Seasons linked game. In a linked Seasons, Zelda spends her time at Impa's house right outside Holon Village from the start. The implication is that she really gets to know the denizens of that locale and they really get to know here. Right before you enter the 8th dungeon, Zelda gives this really cool (in my opinion) rallying speech to the very worried denizens of Holon to not give into despair and keep hope that everything will be alright in the end. And it's backed by this one awesome track that I love, this epic music that goes so well with the epic speech. This works to tide off the encroaching despair. But it creates an unforeseen vulnerability in the denizens that Twinrova exploits when they kidnap Zelda at the end. In the linked Seasons, Zelda actively became the embodiment of hope, and so when the denizens witness her being kidnapped, their hope is essentially stolen right before their very eyes, and they immediately fall into despair. And it's one strong enough to light the Flame of Despair. Not only do we get treated to an awesome speech from Zelda, really characterizing her in a way that she doesn't get the opportunity to be if you played Seasons first instead of second, but the whole "Oh snap, we still need to light the Flame of Despair, _naow_ !1!" angle works a whole lot better because of it, since it actively makes sense where that sudden surge of despair needed to light it came from.
Coolest thing was coming back 10 years or so after I beat Seasons and buying Ages on 3DS and the codes just working from my 10 year old save on a different console
I mean, the 3DS ports are basically emulations of the Game Body originals, aren't they? So it's the exact same rules for the cypher, given you used the same name for the file.
I always found it a bit odd that most folks think Seasons happens first, followed by Ages, when, in linked versions, Onox remarks that Link must have defeated Veran, while Veran makes no remark about Onox. Clarification: Hyrule Encylopedia stating OoX Link is the same as ALttp and LA despite coming after is a translation error; in the original Japanese, he is described as a separate Link.
I think Hyrule Encyclopedia retconned that info, TBH. At the end of the Linked Game for both OOA and OOS, the credits end with Link sailing off on a boat, the exact same boat as in Link’s Awakening. I think it was the original intention for it to be the same Link.
Translation note: the Subrosians are still called the “Uura”(ウーラ族) in Japanese OoS. It’s a play on the word “ura” (裏) meaning like “back/reverse side” or “hidden.” So it could have worked as another dimension or underground, either way. Personally I prefer the localized term for its creativity.
One crazy idea for a Farore storyline was to have Farore is that she is actually playing an instrumental role in ensuring that Link is successful. After all, the entire secrets system implies that Link is somehow able to convey future knowledge to his past self, use that to obtain some new item, and then collect that item in the present as well. This involves some level of manipulating time to his advantage, which is consistent since both Din and Nayru do manipulate time in one way or another. The idea is that Twinrova had a failsafe plan for Farore in case their plan failed. As for the villain who would do this, I decided that the jeweler Vasu and his snakes would be an ironic twist. They are the only other place where secrets can be used.
Oracle of Ages was my first ever Zelda game so I’ll always show up when someone talks about these games. While I did always know about the 3 game thing and whatnot, your explanation for which of the original trilogy became the eventual duology is new to me and explains to me specifically why all material I encountered always treated Seasons as the first of the two games. When I got Ages as a kid I also had an official strategy guide which covered both Oracle games and the thing that always bothered me was how it treated Seasons as the one you’re supposed to play first. Honestly the strategy guide was my only motivation for wanting to get the second game. And you know, despite having a tight video game budget similar to yourself I was able to get seasons eventually as a kid and got to enjoy all the password shenanigans therein. Nevertheless, I do await the day that these games get their dues in remakes and for the possible third game to come to fruition under the right team and the right idea. I do have hope for that since Hidemaru Fujibayashi was part of Flagship and he’s such a prominent person in the Zelda team today.
it was my very first zelda game that i got, for my gameboy (advance) for my birthday at the start of 2002. so, technically my very first game not precisely shared, along with Shrek Fairy Tale FREAKdown
20:23 "Your wife NEVER leaves the house? EVER? That seems a bit regressive-" "How many times do I need to explain that she's literally rooted to the ground?"
For real, though... Seasons was so ridiculously fun. Finally getting Dmitri was like the pride of my childhood. Had hours and hours of fun in that little volcano village with the Goroks (or whatever they were called)... I remember the little like dancing mini game they had. Great stuff.
I remember having the strategy guide for season. And for a while I packed it everywhere. To school, everywhere. To the point it started to break. I loved looking at the artwork for hrs. I love and miss them both
I remember getting Oracle of Seasons because I had a mega kid crush on Din, while my older brother got Oracle of Ages a year or so later, so I was eventually able to play both! Never got very far, though, despite having a strategy guide...
I'm one of probably not many people, who just sees every Zelda Game as its own entity, with no connection to other games, other than their own direct sequels or tie ins. Like the Oracle games, and Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Despite what the Encyclopedia says. I've loved these games on the GBC, and I actually replayed Seasons on the Switch (have yet to start Ages) And this video was really well done. And shows a lot of love for the games. I highly enjoyed it!
I've always thought of it just as separate realities. Sure some of the games can directly thread into one another but they don't all have to. Ain't nothing wrong with a stand alone story
What a great in depth video! In replays through both games you definitely nailed it on how tedious some of the dungeons are. That Jabu in Ages and 6th dungeon in Seasons. Idk how I did some of this stuff when I was 10... now that I'm 33 😂💀 I wish they'd return to this beautiful pixel art style, it is so unique and timeless. It was fun to see all of the footage you used from both games & the space world event!
The Oracle games have always been my favorite Zelda games, and i still have a lot of fun playing them again from time to time. Mostly. I definitely agree that Ages is the more polished of the two. Seasons is an absolute slog to get through. Its a real shame we never got to see the third game. Storywise, I can understand that how much of a nightmare it would have been to link everything together into a coherent story that works regardless of which order you play in. I never bought the excuse that they couldn't make it work with the password system. I reverse engineered them several years ago and the passwords are incredibly simple. I think they only mentioned them as an excuse because the secrets just look like nonsense to most players.
They've stated before that the Oracle of Secrets content was spit up. Most of what they had made it into Seasons to help differentiate that game from its Zelda 1 remake origins. Some made it into Ages to fill in spots they hadn't planned yet. And some made it into Link's Awakening DX as the Color Dungeon.
Just played through both of these carts on my Analogue Pocket. Gotta say, being able to take screenshots definitely helped with the passwords between games ❤
I used to be a dumbass kid who kinda used to write Nintendo constantly to get letters back with their advice and a cool Nintendo stamped envelope. Anyway one time I kept bugging them about the next Zelda game and the reply one gave me was three Zelda games for the Game Boy Color. Then Oracle of Seasons and Ages happened.
Bizarre story: I remember that a friend and I sent a letter to Nintendo when we were young asking specifically why there wasn't an Oracle of Secrets game, and we actually got a response explaining it. The issue is that, well, this happened decades ago, I don't have the letter anymore, and for all I know I could just be misremembering. But it *feels* like something that happened, though.
Ah man... That music cut right through my childhood amnesia. These games are legendary, and I wish we could get a remake with a proper Oracle of Secrets. Farore always seemed so cool!
My personal preference is actually Ages first, since that gives some payoffs that just aren't there if you play Seasons first. For example, in the "B Scenario" of Seasons, it feels like an actual follow up to Ages because of the bit with Queen Ambi and the Pirate Captain... while the Ages B Scenario doesn't do that, but instead just adds a few minor cameos while giving Zelda a couple more scenes and having the Labrynna Maku Tree get jealous. And yeah, the DK reference in the Ages B scenario was cool, but it didn't really pay off anything from Seasons itself.
Something you could have mentioned, just for fun, is that the child Link helps to raise? He's literally the key of the password system of the oracle games. You can replicate specific passwords if you replicate someone else's answers.
Good point. Though was it really only the child? I thought the file's name had an impact as well, because it affects how the characters in the game refer to you. (Then again, if you and the other person simply chose 'Link', I guess this circumvents this issue.)
Great video! That said, Nintendo does not care about the timeline. They never have. They created so fans would stop asking and thats why they thanos snapped it away with BOTW.
Playing both of thess games takes me back. To find out there was a 3rd.. mind blowing. I would've love to play the 3rd one. It was so cool combing two games together.
i do remember reading about the 3 zelda games for the gameboy color in nintendo power years ago. but when they finally came out i picked up both game's at toy r us at $30 a piece. at the time i had the gameboy advance & i found out that there was a secret shop. if you got the gb color the shop's door is closed in town. but if had the gb advance the shop will be open. inside the shop you get a gb advance ring & a couple of seeds & i forgot what else was there
So, weird suggestion: I highly recommend checking out the novelization of these games. Yes. It exists. In English. They were COYA novels, and relatively short. They also tried to incorporate the link mechanic from the games INTO A DAMN BOOK! Weirdly, my parents refused to get me a GNC back in the day, so...the books are the way I got to experience these two games as a child.
I lucked out on the Gannon fight. After I saw the floor, I remembered I had the Quicksand ring and tried that. The floor in that fight acts like quicksand mechanically. I bought both at the same time, but it took awhile to beat them. Got stuck on the Onyx fight and then on the dungeon 8 boos in Oracle of ages. Still, enjoyed my time with those games. Shame there couldn't be all three games, but I loved how the games slightly change depending on which you play first.
No matter what nintendo says, all the fans say, I will always argue there is NO timeline because it's just a series of games they came out with and just reused IP. Maybe things like WW take place after OOT but most likely, there isn't much of a connection between games outside of lil fun bits like the idea that he goes on the ship and ends up on Koholint. I get people are passionate but it doesn't have to have a timeline or make complete sense. It is fun however to think about, like that Link went off into the lost woods after OOT and became a Stalfos that appears in Twilight princess. Anyways, I flipping love all the GB Zelda's and am very upset we'll never get something similar and new today. 3DS games just weren't the same, and switch basically killed the idea. Botw is the new Zelda and I don't see us getting a traditional Zelda whether it's 3D or 2D anymore. I'm just glad I got to enjoy the games when relevant during release and when GBC was the handheld available at the time.
Honestly, I wish this were longer and that you explored more within the video - granted you more or less covered everything important... I'll try watching another video before deciding to subscribe or not! Enjoyable enough though, these were my favourite Zelda experiences as a child and I did tear up a bit when shown some of the ending sequence after defeating Ganon again after so long. Thanks for the nostalgia, keep making content like this - only consider making it longer and more thorough, don't be afraid to segue into more Easter eggs or fun random things throughout or to hang on important moments longer! :)
Fantastic video! I'm surprised the creators of the second game didn't have the cute villain Varan shapeshift herself into a Dragon or some kind of other reptile monster instead. Since Varan is the name of a Godzilla monster and is a name for a Monitor Lizard in old British English haha. Keep up the great work
Great video! I love listening to people talk about these games! These were the first games that I owned myself, and I’ve played them over a dozen times (especially back before I had other games). Regarding the timeline, I feel strongly about the precedent set by Hyrule having some sort of connection to these two other countries (in contrast to the alternate dimensions usually depicted) and seeing how Hyrule functions when the Triforce is safe and whole. My position is that this version of Link and Zelda are their own, as they clearly didn’t know eachother before and LA is supposed to directly follow LttP. But the games could fit in anywhere that the Triforce is complete and Ganon has been killed (not just sealed away)
I only had Ages as a kid but wow did I play that game to death. I love puzzles and it’s the game that really got me into the legend of Zelda. I never did play through Seasons but this video made me want to pick it up.
Zelda not knowing you is easily explainable by way of the Zelda 2 backstory with the added interpretation that it was always a tradition and the prince from said backstory simply made it an actual law.
I'm not sure what you mean exactly. If you mean the tradition that all female children of the royal family were to be named Zelda, I assume you're theorizing that the Zelda in Oracle of Ages and Seasons is an entirely different Zelda, meanwhile the one we knew from A Link to the Past is the same Zelda asleep during the events of Zelda II? Sounds plausible, but didn't the king have the triforce of courage hidden away? I don't think it would have been present during the events of A Link to the Past and definitely not during A Link Between Worlds if that were the case.
@@arjo321 partially yeah, I'm saying that given how OoT, Minish Cap and Four Swords take place before ALttP, naming the princess "Zelda" was already a tradition at that point before the prince from Zelda 2's backstory made it a law. Therefore, one could assume that there was at least one generation where the royal family had two Zeldas, for example ALttP Zelda could have had a cousin with the same name (think Nurse Joy) that Link meets in the Oracle games. And then, a few generations later circa the Zelda 2 manual, the events of Zelda 2's backstory happens. How this clarification helps you understand better.
If you link Ages into Seasons instead, you'll find Queen Ambi is travelling the world in search of her lost love, whom she finds in Subrosia, as it turns out her lost lover is the undead pirate captain
14:25 I used to own a guidebook to these games made by Bradygames and both it as well as the footage used in this video in the fight with Onox had you using just your sword to hit him, despite the fact that hitting crystallized Din damages yourself (and triggers the unnecessary flashing effect which actually scared kids and caused harm to those who were photosensitive/epileptic). However, just by experimenting with different things like most gamers do when faced with a seemingly unbeatable boss battle , I found that hitting crystallized Din with the Rod Of Seasons actually moves her away from Onox temporarily, thus allowing the player to damage him without trouble.
"Twinrova: The two old lady Gerudo who raised Ganon." The combined form of the two gestated and gave birth to Ganon. They did raise him, yes. Most people only say that part, but miss the birth mother part.
These games were actually my first Zelda games, and while I love them a lot of their flaws shine through. I think the most interesting part of them is that they're the first time Hidemaru Fujibayashi, who'd go on to direct Minish Cap, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom, some of the most important games in shaping the current direction of the series.
I beat Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons and got them through my 3DS XL. I hope they get remakes and include Farore! I remember speaking with her in one of the games, but wish she got a game of her own. Fantastic video! Such great games!
Just FYI the zelda plot in seasons only happens in a linked game and there is a version of that subplot in seasons when it is second. Or at least that is what I remember from when I played as a kid.
I think they put the oracle games after link's awakening on the new timeline, because some people were saying that link died at the end of LA when he was drifting at sea on a wooden plank, so they put these games after to say that he was still alive and found his way back to hyrule
I grew up with this series and absolutely adored it. The only thing I've not managed with it is getting all the rings in a single save. I've done linked games in both directions, as well as linked hero quest in both directions. It was a wild ride but sadly my physical copies of the games can't keep it's memories anymore so I've lost all the progress it had :(
i absolutely adore the artwork made for this game. It's honestly one of my favorite artstyles in Zelda alongside the Wind Waker look & the OoT/MM artwork :D
I’m so glad they put these games on Nintendo Switch online, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to have access to these at all. Plus I wouldn’t have learned that they’re prequels to Links Awakening
Rock solid video of my favorite Zelda entries by far. The one thing I'd interject is it's not accurate to say that Seed of Courage became Ages, nor is it that Seed of Wisdom did, because aspects were taken from both to make Ages what it was. I'm sure you are well aware though it didn't get directly addressed in the video, but many of Ages' dungeon puzzles and mechanics revolved around color, showing elements from Seed of Wisdom. While Seed of Power directly became Oracle of Seasons, it wasn't so 1:1 for Ages, being a combination of both Courage and Wisdom.
When I was a kid I never had these games, but I did get the Nintendo power guide from a grocery store because the art was cool. I was into drawing back then, and loved the pictures of link. I should get around to this duo of games now.
I played these so many times and, since I played through OoS many times before I even got OoA, I will probably always prefer to do OoS first. But, after playing it both ways, it actually felt more organic, with the references between them, for OoA to come first. Regardless, the best answer is that it should be experienced in both directions, because it really changes how they play. I never knew it was supposed to be a trilogy, though. That would have been even better. 6 different versions of a story arc would have been crazy and awesome.
18:45 yo Ive got this playing on my phone, kinda half watching and I glanced at it during the timestamp and thought there was a bug on my screen. I jumped a little lmao
Just recently replayed these games to experience the true ending myself, only had seasons as a kid. Both games are amazing and deserve a remaster like Links awakening did
Future Zelda titles should really give some room for Farore to play into the story. She is basically the patron of Link and just like him, she kinda gets sidelined since she seems to usually be the busy-body in the grand affairs of her sisters so they likely don't get very detailed parts in history books.
I really hope these older games get remakes and such. I’ve tried playing multiple old Zelda games but idk what it is (maybe being spoiler with BOTW and TOTK) but I just can get into them like the new games.
I can't wait to hear your take on The Minish Cap - next to these two, it's my favourite childhood Zelda title. I never had any of the 3-D Zeldas until the 3DS hit the market, so I am fondly attached to all of the GB-titles.
I only got a game boy color because of these games. I was "dating" this guy and he let me play season and I was hooked. I've now played damn near every Zelda game and my 8 year old is playing breath of the wild right now. I didn't know it was on the switch so I'm now downloading it. I'm going to get my nostalgia on
Oracle of dreams would've been a good third game to continue the world changing gimmick. With you finding a rod that transports you to a nightmare and dream worlds. An entire map of no enemies would be boring though so naybe the villian casts a spell on you so the denizens perceive you as evil in the dream world? Maybe "Oracle of dreams" is the idea that eventually turned into link's awakening.
Oracle of Ages: Triforce of Wisdom (Puzzles) Oracle of Seasons: Triforce of Power (Combat) Minish Cap: Triforce of Courage (Smol Boi) The 3 core Capcom Zelda games.
From the info you had in this video, it makes me wonder if there is a 3rd game almost finished somewhere in some archive since the games were meant to come out within 6 weeks of each other, it's interesting to think about.
I bought Oracle of Ages and one of my relatives bought Oracle of Seasons. We promised that when we had finished the games I give my Oracle of Ages to him and he gives Oracle of Seasons to me so we can finish both games. I finished Oracle of Ages in couple of months but he got bored and never finished Oracle of Seasons. And he refused to give his unfinished game to me. So probably I just have to finish both of these games on an emulator one day.
On the one hand, it would have been neat to add a third game into this group to add even more replay and upgrade value to the way you play and experience everything. But on the other hand it would have also deleted links awakening from existence, so heinsight is 50/50
These games came out when I was like 10-11. I really enjoyed them. At first however, I remember my family wasn’t super rich like some of my friends so I had to choose between one and I chose ages. I remembered regretting it sometimes because I loved the four seasons so much and being able to control them in a game seemed so awesome to me. I eventually ended up getting seasons a few years later at some point though. Great games, great memories.
Watching this makes me wonder if DYKG ever made a video on this topic. If they have, I'd love to watch it sometime. If they have not, this would be an awesome idea for a video.
It'd be cool to see these games in SNES-level graphics, along with Link's Awakening. Maybe even the last Oracle game could get made to complete the trilogy.
Winter: frozen lakes and snow paths❄️ Spring:jumping on flowers is fun🌸 Summer:climb vines, find secrets🌱 Fall:pick mushrooms I guess🍄 The Fall mechanic was boring ngl
To be honest, I'm 100% certain Nintendo didn't care about chronology or Canon whatsoever with most of their games. The only time they even remotely care is if it's intended to be a sequel (Majora's Mask, LoZ 2, etc.)
Had to jump in before finishing your video when you compliment the Maku Tree pixel art! I remember in 2001 comparing these with Link’s Awakening and marveling how much bigger and better everything looked and felt. Sad that now they’re kind of overshadowed by LA. I’m hoping for a remake but not in the plastic style of LA’19. Something more fitting to these games’ tone.
May sound dumb, but I would love for a game in the style of Link's Awakening that either, just combines all 3 games into one massive adventure non-stop, gives it the Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury where in the tittle screen you select which game to play (tho these 2 options just kills the bringing back the third game idea in exchange for QoL improvements when linking both adventures) or create an entire new game that takes on the role of finishing the story left untold after all these years, maybe Echoes of Wisdom may be that third game most likely it won't tbh, but one can only dream.
I remembered hearing about this game back around 2005 but never got the games. Will look for the games and experience this as an adult. Hopefully Nintendo would do a remake and release the 3rd game.
This video was supposed to be half this length.
Lmao
I love long form content so that works for me.
@@dustybees6308 amen
I really enjoy the longer videos, Keep up the great work!
That's quite alright. It could be twice this length and I'd still watch lol
These games deserve the same remake treatment Link's Awakening got.
Maybe a bit better than that I'd hope anyways lol
@@MitoRequiem why? the Link's awakening remake was a piece of art, and not too many nonsense shit added. I Liked it a lot.
They should really market the New Game Plus angle. Such a simple pair of games having 40 hours or more would really jive with today's expectations.
Here's the thing. These games used the same engine on the GBC as Link's Awakening. They remade Link's Awakening. So they can use the remake's engine to remake these. It would work perfectly.
literally came down here to comment this, i love playing the new links awakening, as a new player who wasnt born when the original came out, and would love to experience these games also remade
Minish Cap is basically Oracle of Secrets, given the focus on exploration with essentially a second version of the world hidden within the regular one
Man, I remember being a child and loving the commercial for Season/Ages everytime it came out on TV back then. I only had Ages, and played it for hours and beat it so many times too
The key was to have a friend who got the other one. For me it was a cousin who got seasons and then I got ages. I met another kids who nonchalantly mentioned he had both and thought “what a spoiled rich kid” lol. Of course I ended up getting seasons for myself anyway
Watching you brute force Onox why he was using Din as a shield instead of knocking Din away with the Rod of Seasons as intended hurt my soul.
A couple of the things that I like better by doing Ages first and Seasons second are the new additions that happen from doing Seasons as a linked game. Mentok mentioned the Ambi finding her lost love at last one.
But one he did not mention is that the despair flame getting lit via Zelda's kidnapping makes a lot more sense in a Seasons linked game. In a linked Seasons, Zelda spends her time at Impa's house right outside Holon Village from the start. The implication is that she really gets to know the denizens of that locale and they really get to know here. Right before you enter the 8th dungeon, Zelda gives this really cool (in my opinion) rallying speech to the very worried denizens of Holon to not give into despair and keep hope that everything will be alright in the end. And it's backed by this one awesome track that I love, this epic music that goes so well with the epic speech.
This works to tide off the encroaching despair. But it creates an unforeseen vulnerability in the denizens that Twinrova exploits when they kidnap Zelda at the end. In the linked Seasons, Zelda actively became the embodiment of hope, and so when the denizens witness her being kidnapped, their hope is essentially stolen right before their very eyes, and they immediately fall into despair. And it's one strong enough to light the Flame of Despair.
Not only do we get treated to an awesome speech from Zelda, really characterizing her in a way that she doesn't get the opportunity to be if you played Seasons first instead of second, but the whole "Oh snap, we still need to light the Flame of Despair, _naow_ !1!" angle works a whole lot better because of it, since it actively makes sense where that sudden surge of despair needed to light it came from.
Coolest thing was coming back 10 years or so after I beat Seasons and buying Ages on 3DS and the codes just working from my 10 year old save on a different console
I mean, the 3DS ports are basically emulations of the Game Body originals, aren't they?
So it's the exact same rules for the cypher, given you used the same name for the file.
@@LinkEX I think they removed the link function but that's it.
@@zachtwilightwindwaker596 between a gameboy and 3ds ya. but u can play 2 gameboy games on 2 3ds devises as multiplayer games.
the oracle games are so amazing but overlooked
I genuinely consider the Oracle games the most underrated Zelda games. Wish they got the attention they deserved.
I always found it a bit odd that most folks think Seasons happens first, followed by Ages, when, in linked versions, Onox remarks that Link must have defeated Veran, while Veran makes no remark about Onox.
Clarification: Hyrule Encylopedia stating OoX Link is the same as ALttp and LA despite coming after is a translation error; in the original Japanese, he is described as a separate Link.
But what about the manga it is in the manga that ages come after seasons
@@colossusequinox5388 the manga are never canon
I think Hyrule Encyclopedia retconned that info, TBH. At the end of the Linked Game for both OOA and OOS, the credits end with Link sailing off on a boat, the exact same boat as in Link’s Awakening. I think it was the original intention for it to be the same Link.
My point exactly, so Ages comes first.
Yeah, Ages comes first ^^'
Translation note: the Subrosians are still called the “Uura”(ウーラ族) in Japanese OoS. It’s a play on the word “ura” (裏) meaning like “back/reverse side” or “hidden.” So it could have worked as another dimension or underground, either way.
Personally I prefer the localized term for its creativity.
Yeh traditionally Nintendo has been really good about capturing the feeling with localized names.
Link awkwardly dancing with Din is the best still frame in any game
One crazy idea for a Farore storyline was to have Farore is that she is actually playing an instrumental role in ensuring that Link is successful. After all, the entire secrets system implies that Link is somehow able to convey future knowledge to his past self, use that to obtain some new item, and then collect that item in the present as well. This involves some level of manipulating time to his advantage, which is consistent since both Din and Nayru do manipulate time in one way or another.
The idea is that Twinrova had a failsafe plan for Farore in case their plan failed. As for the villain who would do this, I decided that the jeweler Vasu and his snakes would be an ironic twist. They are the only other place where secrets can be used.
If I remember, Farore was referred to as the Oracle of Secrets in ages and seasons and in charge of implementing the secrets.
if they had to scrap the third game, maybe they just retconned link's awakening to have been the game of courage
Would make Sense because in that Game you Fight Nightmares you have to overcome
Especially considering they added a color dungeon to the DX and Switch version of the game.
@@ruily276 DX came out before the Oracle games
Nah, Minish Cap, it was made by Capcom.
@@MechaOracle That's a different Link though. It should get remade though, I mean the Wind Waker HD Assets are right there.
Oracle of Ages was my first ever Zelda game so I’ll always show up when someone talks about these games. While I did always know about the 3 game thing and whatnot, your explanation for which of the original trilogy became the eventual duology is new to me and explains to me specifically why all material I encountered always treated Seasons as the first of the two games.
When I got Ages as a kid I also had an official strategy guide which covered both Oracle games and the thing that always bothered me was how it treated Seasons as the one you’re supposed to play first. Honestly the strategy guide was my only motivation for wanting to get the second game. And you know, despite having a tight video game budget similar to yourself I was able to get seasons eventually as a kid and got to enjoy all the password shenanigans therein.
Nevertheless, I do await the day that these games get their dues in remakes and for the possible third game to come to fruition under the right team and the right idea. I do have hope for that since Hidemaru Fujibayashi was part of Flagship and he’s such a prominent person in the Zelda team today.
it was my very first zelda game that i got, for my gameboy (advance) for my birthday at the start of 2002. so, technically my very first game not precisely shared, along with Shrek Fairy Tale FREAKdown
20:23 "Your wife NEVER leaves the house? EVER? That seems a bit regressive-"
"How many times do I need to explain that she's literally rooted to the ground?"
These games were my introduction to the Legend of Zelda franchise, which makes it very disappointing that no one ever talks about them.
For real, though... Seasons was so ridiculously fun. Finally getting Dmitri was like the pride of my childhood. Had hours and hours of fun in that little volcano village with the Goroks (or whatever they were called)... I remember the little like dancing mini game they had. Great stuff.
@@pattmahiney The Goron dancing minigame was in Ages. The Seasons dancing minigame was with the Subrosians.
Wtf dude this is literaly a 40min video of a dude talking about this game
@@hombrebrocoli Yes, it's A video. One.
I remember having the strategy guide for season. And for a while I packed it everywhere. To school, everywhere. To the point it started to break. I loved looking at the artwork for hrs. I love and miss them both
I remember getting Oracle of Seasons because I had a mega kid crush on Din, while my older brother got Oracle of Ages a year or so later, so I was eventually able to play both! Never got very far, though, despite having a strategy guide...
Whaaa you should revisit those. Definitely worth completing
Lmao my man
I'm one of probably not many people, who just sees every Zelda Game as its own entity, with no connection to other games, other than their own direct sequels or tie ins. Like the Oracle games, and Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Despite what the Encyclopedia says.
I've loved these games on the GBC, and I actually replayed Seasons on the Switch (have yet to start Ages)
And this video was really well done.
And shows a lot of love for the games.
I highly enjoyed it!
I've always thought of it just as separate realities.
Sure some of the games can directly thread into one another but they don't all have to.
Ain't nothing wrong with a stand alone story
What a great in depth video! In replays through both games you definitely nailed it on how tedious some of the dungeons are. That Jabu in Ages and 6th dungeon in Seasons.
Idk how I did some of this stuff when I was 10... now that I'm 33 😂💀
I wish they'd return to this beautiful pixel art style, it is so unique and timeless. It was fun to see all of the footage you used from both games & the space world event!
I was asking myself the same thing after powering through each dungeon. We underestimate our younger selves
The Oracle games have always been my favorite Zelda games, and i still have a lot of fun playing them again from time to time. Mostly. I definitely agree that Ages is the more polished of the two. Seasons is an absolute slog to get through.
Its a real shame we never got to see the third game. Storywise, I can understand that how much of a nightmare it would have been to link everything together into a coherent story that works regardless of which order you play in.
I never bought the excuse that they couldn't make it work with the password system. I reverse engineered them several years ago and the passwords are incredibly simple. I think they only mentioned them as an excuse because the secrets just look like nonsense to most players.
i do prefer seasons on the bgm side of things, tho', until we get closer to the final dungeons of ages
Let's just be honest. Nintendo doesn't think about a real time line in Zelda games and just tries to fit things together retroactively
And it gets complicated…
They have been working on the timeline since Zelda 2. They them proceeded to forget about the old games besides Ocarina when they made Wind Waker
I have never heard Farore pronounced that way in my life
They've stated before that the Oracle of Secrets content was spit up. Most of what they had made it into Seasons to help differentiate that game from its Zelda 1 remake origins. Some made it into Ages to fill in spots they hadn't planned yet. And some made it into Link's Awakening DX as the Color Dungeon.
Just played through both of these carts on my Analogue Pocket. Gotta say, being able to take screenshots definitely helped with the passwords between games ❤
Brooo for real lol
I used to be a dumbass kid who kinda used to write Nintendo constantly to get letters back with their advice and a cool Nintendo stamped envelope. Anyway one time I kept bugging them about the next Zelda game and the reply one gave me was three Zelda games for the Game Boy Color. Then Oracle of Seasons and Ages happened.
As another former kid who used to write Nintendo, I hope we get the missing third game one day so the prophecy can be fulfilled. 🤩
Bizarre story: I remember that a friend and I sent a letter to Nintendo when we were young asking specifically why there wasn't an Oracle of Secrets game, and we actually got a response explaining it. The issue is that, well, this happened decades ago, I don't have the letter anymore, and for all I know I could just be misremembering. But it *feels* like something that happened, though.
Ah man... That music cut right through my childhood amnesia. These games are legendary, and I wish we could get a remake with a proper Oracle of Secrets. Farore always seemed so cool!
LOVE these games, even 20+ years later. They awakened my zelda obsession as a kid
My personal preference is actually Ages first, since that gives some payoffs that just aren't there if you play Seasons first.
For example, in the "B Scenario" of Seasons, it feels like an actual follow up to Ages because of the bit with Queen Ambi and the Pirate Captain... while the Ages B Scenario doesn't do that, but instead just adds a few minor cameos while giving Zelda a couple more scenes and having the Labrynna Maku Tree get jealous.
And yeah, the DK reference in the Ages B scenario was cool, but it didn't really pay off anything from Seasons itself.
Good points!
It’s also considerably easier to fight Twinrova with the triple shot and Ganon with the Rocs Cape
Something you could have mentioned, just for fun, is that the child Link helps to raise? He's literally the key of the password system of the oracle games.
You can replicate specific passwords if you replicate someone else's answers.
Good point.
Though was it really only the child?
I thought the file's name had an impact as well, because it affects how the characters in the game refer to you.
(Then again, if you and the other person simply chose 'Link', I guess this circumvents this issue.)
@@LinkEX , also the animal companion. That was another thing carried over between games.
Great video!
That said, Nintendo does not care about the timeline. They never have. They created so fans would stop asking and thats why they thanos snapped it away with BOTW.
Playing both of thess games takes me back. To find out there was a 3rd.. mind blowing.
I would've love to play the 3rd one. It was so cool combing two games together.
i do remember reading about the 3 zelda games for the gameboy color in nintendo power years ago. but when they finally came out i picked up both game's at toy r us at $30 a piece. at the time i had the gameboy advance & i found out that there was a secret shop. if you got the gb color the shop's door is closed in town. but if had the gb advance the shop will be open. inside the shop you get a gb advance ring & a couple of seeds & i forgot what else was there
So, weird suggestion: I highly recommend checking out the novelization of these games. Yes. It exists. In English.
They were COYA novels, and relatively short. They also tried to incorporate the link mechanic from the games INTO A DAMN BOOK!
Weirdly, my parents refused to get me a GNC back in the day, so...the books are the way I got to experience these two games as a child.
These were my first Zelda games as a kid, got seasons for my birthday and had to get ages for Christmas 😂
Thx for bringing back those memory. It must be the best GBC i've played.
I lucked out on the Gannon fight. After I saw the floor, I remembered I had the Quicksand ring and tried that. The floor in that fight acts like quicksand mechanically. I bought both at the same time, but it took awhile to beat them. Got stuck on the Onyx fight and then on the dungeon 8 boos in Oracle of ages. Still, enjoyed my time with those games. Shame there couldn't be all three games, but I loved how the games slightly change depending on which you play first.
I think we are equally obsessed with the Zelda series, because you and I actually created the same video individually.
No matter what nintendo says, all the fans say, I will always argue there is NO timeline because it's just a series of games they came out with and just reused IP. Maybe things like WW take place after OOT but most likely, there isn't much of a connection between games outside of lil fun bits like the idea that he goes on the ship and ends up on Koholint. I get people are passionate but it doesn't have to have a timeline or make complete sense. It is fun however to think about, like that Link went off into the lost woods after OOT and became a Stalfos that appears in Twilight princess.
Anyways, I flipping love all the GB Zelda's and am very upset we'll never get something similar and new today. 3DS games just weren't the same, and switch basically killed the idea. Botw is the new Zelda and I don't see us getting a traditional Zelda whether it's 3D or 2D anymore. I'm just glad I got to enjoy the games when relevant during release and when GBC was the handheld available at the time.
Honestly, I wish this were longer and that you explored more within the video - granted you more or less covered everything important... I'll try watching another video before deciding to subscribe or not!
Enjoyable enough though, these were my favourite Zelda experiences as a child and I did tear up a bit when shown some of the ending sequence after defeating Ganon again after so long.
Thanks for the nostalgia, keep making content like this - only consider making it longer and more thorough, don't be afraid to segue into more Easter eggs or fun random things throughout or to hang on important moments longer! :)
My favorite top-down games! I just completed another playthrough start-to-finish again!
Fantastic video! I'm surprised the creators of the second game didn't have the cute villain Varan shapeshift herself into a Dragon or some kind of other reptile monster instead. Since Varan is the name of a Godzilla monster and is a name for a Monitor Lizard in old British English haha. Keep up the great work
Ah, so it's based on the genus for monitor lizards Varanus.
@@beipiaosaurus Sure is, I thought that is pretty cool about that character. Plus Varan is one of my favorite Godzilla monsters haha
Great video! I love listening to people talk about these games!
These were the first games that I owned myself, and I’ve played them over a dozen times (especially back before I had other games).
Regarding the timeline, I feel strongly about the precedent set by Hyrule having some sort of connection to these two other countries (in contrast to the alternate dimensions usually depicted) and seeing how Hyrule functions when the Triforce is safe and whole. My position is that this version of Link and Zelda are their own, as they clearly didn’t know eachother before and LA is supposed to directly follow LttP. But the games could fit in anywhere that the Triforce is complete and Ganon has been killed (not just sealed away)
I only had Ages as a kid but wow did I play that game to death. I love puzzles and it’s the game that really got me into the legend of Zelda. I never did play through Seasons but this video made me want to pick it up.
Zelda not knowing you is easily explainable by way of the Zelda 2 backstory with the added interpretation that it was always a tradition and the prince from said backstory simply made it an actual law.
I'm not sure what you mean exactly. If you mean the tradition that all female children of the royal family were to be named Zelda, I assume you're theorizing that the Zelda in Oracle of Ages and Seasons is an entirely different Zelda, meanwhile the one we knew from A Link to the Past is the same Zelda asleep during the events of Zelda II?
Sounds plausible, but didn't the king have the triforce of courage hidden away? I don't think it would have been present during the events of A Link to the Past and definitely not during A Link Between Worlds if that were the case.
@@arjo321 partially yeah, I'm saying that given how OoT, Minish Cap and Four Swords take place before ALttP, naming the princess "Zelda" was already a tradition at that point before the prince from Zelda 2's backstory made it a law.
Therefore, one could assume that there was at least one generation where the royal family had two Zeldas, for example ALttP Zelda could have had a cousin with the same name (think Nurse Joy) that Link meets in the Oracle games.
And then, a few generations later circa the Zelda 2 manual, the events of Zelda 2's backstory happens.
How this clarification helps you understand better.
If you link Ages into Seasons instead, you'll find Queen Ambi is travelling the world in search of her lost love, whom she finds in Subrosia, as it turns out her lost lover is the undead pirate captain
That was mentioned in the video.
14:25 I used to own a guidebook to these games made by Bradygames and both it as well as the footage used in this video in the fight with Onox had you using just your sword to hit him, despite the fact that hitting crystallized Din damages yourself (and triggers the unnecessary flashing effect which actually scared kids and caused harm to those who were photosensitive/epileptic). However, just by experimenting with different things like most gamers do when faced with a seemingly unbeatable boss battle , I found that hitting crystallized Din with the Rod Of Seasons actually moves her away from Onox temporarily, thus allowing the player to damage him without trouble.
I am very buzzed and when she said quietly "I'm just a cook" 3:52 I internally laughed and got sober. Drink more wine to continue
"Twinrova: The two old lady Gerudo who raised Ganon."
The combined form of the two gestated and gave birth to Ganon. They did raise him, yes. Most people only say that part, but miss the birth mother part.
They are his adoptive mothers. It is never said anywhere they gave birth to him
These games were actually my first Zelda games, and while I love them a lot of their flaws shine through. I think the most interesting part of them is that they're the first time Hidemaru Fujibayashi, who'd go on to direct Minish Cap, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom, some of the most important games in shaping the current direction of the series.
I beat Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons and got them through my 3DS XL. I hope they get remakes and include Farore! I remember speaking with her in one of the games, but wish she got a game of her own. Fantastic video! Such great games!
Just FYI the zelda plot in seasons only happens in a linked game and there is a version of that subplot in seasons when it is second. Or at least that is what I remember from when I played as a kid.
I think they put the oracle games after link's awakening on the new timeline, because some people were saying that link died at the end of LA when he was drifting at sea on a wooden plank, so they put these games after to say that he was still alive and found his way back to hyrule
I grew up with this series and absolutely adored it. The only thing I've not managed with it is getting all the rings in a single save. I've done linked games in both directions, as well as linked hero quest in both directions. It was a wild ride but sadly my physical copies of the games can't keep it's memories anymore so I've lost all the progress it had :(
i absolutely adore the artwork made for this game. It's honestly one of my favorite artstyles in Zelda alongside the Wind Waker look & the OoT/MM artwork :D
A remake of this as a full trilogy would be bigger than a new zelda
Oracle of Secrets for the new Switch would be Heaven
I’m so glad they put these games on Nintendo Switch online, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to have access to these at all. Plus I wouldn’t have learned that they’re prequels to Links Awakening
There is a ring that enables you to swim faster too. Helped my poor thumb 👍🏼
For the mermaid suit
Rock solid video of my favorite Zelda entries by far. The one thing I'd interject is it's not accurate to say that Seed of Courage became Ages, nor is it that Seed of Wisdom did, because aspects were taken from both to make Ages what it was. I'm sure you are well aware though it didn't get directly addressed in the video, but many of Ages' dungeon puzzles and mechanics revolved around color, showing elements from Seed of Wisdom. While Seed of Power directly became Oracle of Seasons, it wasn't so 1:1 for Ages, being a combination of both Courage and Wisdom.
Great vid, I’m resuming sages like you now lol.
The Seasons mechanic is definitely my favorite main one in the series of what I've played so far. Simple but implemented in such a cool way
When I was a kid I never had these games, but I did get the Nintendo power guide from a grocery store because the art was cool. I was into drawing back then, and loved the pictures of link. I should get around to this duo of games now.
I played these so many times and, since I played through OoS many times before I even got OoA, I will probably always prefer to do OoS first. But, after playing it both ways, it actually felt more organic, with the references between them, for OoA to come first. Regardless, the best answer is that it should be experienced in both directions, because it really changes how they play.
I never knew it was supposed to be a trilogy, though. That would have been even better. 6 different versions of a story arc would have been crazy and awesome.
18:45 yo Ive got this playing on my phone, kinda half watching and I glanced at it during the timestamp and thought there was a bug on my screen. I jumped a little lmao
Just recently replayed these games to experience the true ending myself, only had seasons as a kid. Both games are amazing and deserve a remaster like Links awakening did
My head cannon is there's an 8 bit chronology: Legend of Zelda, Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, Link's Awakening, Zelda II the Adventure of Link.
Future Zelda titles should really give some room for Farore to play into the story. She is basically the patron of Link and just like him, she kinda gets sidelined since she seems to usually be the busy-body in the grand affairs of her sisters so they likely don't get very detailed parts in history books.
I really hope these older games get remakes and such. I’ve tried playing multiple old Zelda games but idk what it is (maybe being spoiler with BOTW and TOTK) but I just can get into them like the new games.
I got the game guides because the art was so pretty! So I'm digging this soooooo much
I can't wait to hear your take on The Minish Cap - next to these two, it's my favourite childhood Zelda title. I never had any of the 3-D Zeldas until the 3DS hit the market, so I am fondly attached to all of the GB-titles.
Veran's outfit is more ridiculous and over the top than any pokemon Elite 4. Gotta respect that.
I only got a game boy color because of these games. I was "dating" this guy and he let me play season and I was hooked. I've now played damn near every Zelda game and my 8 year old is playing breath of the wild right now. I didn't know it was on the switch so I'm now downloading it. I'm going to get my nostalgia on
Oracle of dreams would've been a good third game to continue the world changing gimmick. With you finding a rod that transports you to a nightmare and dream worlds. An entire map of no enemies would be boring though so naybe the villian casts a spell on you so the denizens perceive you as evil in the dream world? Maybe "Oracle of dreams" is the idea that eventually turned into link's awakening.
These games were so technically impressive. I'm still amazed at their fantastic graphics,
Oracle of Ages: Triforce of Wisdom (Puzzles)
Oracle of Seasons: Triforce of Power (Combat)
Minish Cap: Triforce of Courage (Smol Boi)
The 3 core Capcom Zelda games.
11:33 excellent pitch tbh
Man, I wish they could’ve developed that last one. Great job Mentok!
From the info you had in this video, it makes me wonder if there is a 3rd game almost finished somewhere in some archive since the games were meant to come out within 6 weeks of each other, it's interesting to think about.
I bought Oracle of Ages and one of my relatives bought Oracle of Seasons. We promised that when we had finished the games I give my Oracle of Ages to him and he gives Oracle of Seasons to me so we can finish both games. I finished Oracle of Ages in couple of months but he got bored and never finished Oracle of Seasons. And he refused to give his unfinished game to me. So probably I just have to finish both of these games on an emulator one day.
On the one hand, it would have been neat to add a third game into this group to add even more replay and upgrade value to the way you play and experience everything.
But on the other hand it would have also deleted links awakening from existence, so heinsight is 50/50
These games came out when I was like 10-11. I really enjoyed them. At first however, I remember my family wasn’t super rich like some of my friends so I had to choose between one and I chose ages. I remembered regretting it sometimes because I loved the four seasons so much and being able to control them in a game seemed so awesome to me. I eventually ended up getting seasons a few years later at some point though. Great games, great memories.
Hella underrated games. Not a ton of sidequesting but the dungeons are top tier
Looking forward to the Mishshi cap coverage
This game seems so fun- I’d love to see this remade
Watching this makes me wonder if DYKG ever made a video on this topic. If they have, I'd love to watch it sometime. If they have not, this would be an awesome idea for a video.
When I was looking into oracle of secrets I learn that a lot the plan assits for it was carried over oraclee of seasons.
It'd be cool to see these games in SNES-level graphics, along with Link's Awakening. Maybe even the last Oracle game could get made to complete the trilogy.
Winter: frozen lakes and snow paths❄️
Spring:jumping on flowers is fun🌸
Summer:climb vines, find secrets🌱
Fall:pick mushrooms I guess🍄
The Fall mechanic was boring ngl
To be honest, I'm 100% certain Nintendo didn't care about chronology or Canon whatsoever with most of their games. The only time they even remotely care is if it's intended to be a sequel (Majora's Mask, LoZ 2, etc.)
Had to jump in before finishing your video when you compliment the Maku Tree pixel art! I remember in 2001 comparing these with Link’s Awakening and marveling how much bigger and better everything looked and felt. Sad that now they’re kind of overshadowed by LA.
I’m hoping for a remake but not in the plastic style of LA’19. Something more fitting to these games’ tone.
Interesting and exciting at the same time. Hopefully Nintendo will remember and revive this project on their upcoming new console.
Still hoping they fix this one day and give us the full Oracle Trilogy.
There is a rumor of a re-release, or a remake, and I have DREAMED of all three games in one edition, together.
May sound dumb, but I would love for a game in the style of Link's Awakening that either, just combines all 3 games into one massive adventure non-stop, gives it the Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury where in the tittle screen you select which game to play (tho these 2 options just kills the bringing back the third game idea in exchange for QoL improvements when linking both adventures) or create an entire new game that takes on the role of finishing the story left untold after all these years, maybe Echoes of Wisdom may be that third game most likely it won't tbh, but one can only dream.
wow that was well thought out and put together, almost 45 minutes long and i watched it all!
I remembered hearing about this game back around 2005 but never got the games. Will look for the games and experience this as an adult. Hopefully Nintendo would do a remake and release the 3rd game.
Bro forgot to animate my arwing flying through the center of that triforce in the beggining.
After playing "Link's Awakening DX HD" the last two days, I'd love for the same treatment to the Oracle Games.