"Easily the second best Zelda game"

Introduction-
About a week ago I was looking through the latest issue of Nintendo Power when I saw two new Zelda games for the Game Boy Color. I had always love Zelda games so I decided to get one when I went to pre-order my Game Boy Advance later that day. So when I got to Electronics Boutique I decided to get Oracle of Seasons instead of Oracle of Ages, because Ages is supposed to have harder puzzles and revolve around brainwork rather than fighting. I drove home and eagerly turned on Game Boy Color and got started. Only about seven hours later did I stop because my batteries died. Before that happened I learned that the puzzles were very tough, even for me. It took me three whole days just to beat the second dungeon. Now that you know all of that pointless garbage, I’ll tell you the stuff you want to know.

Graphics- 10 out of 10
Oracle of Ages uses the GBC’s power very well. Everything is very colorful and well animated. Unlike most Game Boy games, Oracle of Ages goes into fairly too. But all in all, the graphics look very much like the ones in Link’s Awakening DX.

Sound- 10 out of 10
Like any good Zelda game, Oracle of Ages manages to have all of the classic Zelda tunes and some great new ones too. We all have grown to know and love the old Zelda melodies, so there’s no need to tell you how great it is, but the new ones are just as good and I hope they use them in the next Zelda. Aside from the music, the sound effects are excellent too.

Play Control- 10 out of 10
In the play control department OOA is perfect just like in all of the other categories. You moving using the arrows on the D-pad, push Select to bring up the map, push Start to bring up your inventory screen, and push A or B to use your equipped weapons. It’s Simple as that.

Game Design- 10 out of 10
Oracle of Ages is a completely new Zelda game in many ways. There are tons of new items, Zelda isn’t involved at all (in fact hardly any of the old characters are except about 5), and it doesn’t even take place in Hyrule. Despite that, Oracle of Ages manages to bet the second best Zelda out there. The only Zelda better is A Link to the Past for the Super NES.

Replay Value and Challenge- 10 out of 10
It may not be the best Zelda, but it’s definitely the hardest. Do you remember how I said it took me three days to beat the second dungeon? It took me seven days to beat the fifth. With brainbusting puzzles, juggernaut bosses, and a truckload of cool secrets, you won’t be able to put this pocket-sized masterpiece down. I have yet to beat it but when I do I’m sure I’ll want to play it again and get all of the stuff I missed and make some different choices in the game too.

Overall- 10 out of 10
Overall, Oracle of Ages is a game nobody should be without. It’s chock-full of secrets, side quests, cool new items, and zany new characters. If I ever beat it, I’ll purchase Oracle of Seasons to see if it matches the quality of its partner pak. And just like all of the other Zelda games Oracle of Seasons got an “E” rating from ESRB, so all ages can play it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/01/01, Updated 01/18/02