The classic Zelda games “Oracle of Ages/Seasons” now available on Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo has recently announced the exciting news that two highly anticipated retro Zelda games, namely The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, are now readily available for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers who avail the standard $3.99-per-month package.

Ever since the introduction of Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games to the Nintendo Switch Online service in February, I have eagerly awaited the inclusion of Oracle of Ages/Seasons. These two titles, released in 2001, have been somewhat overlooked within the nostalgic Legend of Zelda franchise, often outshone by the likes of Majora’s Mask and Ocarina of Time. However, each version boasts its own distinctive gameplay mechanics that revolutionized their respective worlds: Oracle of Ages is centered around puzzles and time travel enabled by the “Harp of Ages,” while Oracle of Seasons focuses more on combat and utilizes the “Rod of Seasons” to dynamically change the seasons.

Although the release of multiple versions of a game was not entirely novel at that time, as evidenced by the popular Pokémon series’ Gold and Silver era, I could only afford to own Oracle of Ages due to my limited budget. Acquiring both editions was simply impractical. Finally, I have the opportunity to revisit both games simultaneously and fully immerse myself in the experience, without the need for emulators or the laborious pursuit of original copies. It is worth mentioning that these titles marked the directorial debut of Hidemaro Fujibayashi in the Zelda franchise, a renowned figure who would go on to direct six more installments, including the critically acclaimed Breath of The Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Clearly, Fujibayashi possesses exceptional talent in his craft.