Linked Game

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For a list of all the secrets obtainable in a Linked Game, proceed to Linking Secret.

Linked Games are situations in which Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are interconnected, allowing for exclusive content not found in the individual games.[1] A Linked Game is a game file of either Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons, where one game serves as the continuation of the plot that began in the other, instead of having two alternate plots if the games are played separately.[2] Linked Games are accomplished via passwords (referred to in-game as "Secrets") which allow the two games to interact.[3] In Linked Games, Link will obtain various items that are not otherwise obtainable.[4]

"Password-Linking" is a unique feature of Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages.

Beginning a Linked Game

An example of a "Secret to Holodrum"

Upon completing either Oracle of Ages or Oracle of Seasons, a special Secret (or password) will appear ("Secret to Holodrum" in Oracle of Ages, "Secret to Labrynna" in Oracle of Seasons). This password can be inputted into the opposite game while creating a new file, under "Secrets". Doing so begins a Linked Game.[5][6] Alternatively, the two games can be linked directly without passwords with the use of two Game Boy Colors and a Game Link Cable, using the "Game Link" function instead.[7][8] On the File Selection screen, Linked Game files can be identified the icon of Link, who will be holding the Harp of Ages (in Oracle of Ages) or the Rod of Seasons (in Oracle of Seasons) on files where the Secret to Holodrum/Labrynna has been used.

The exact password that appears as the Secret to Labrynna or Holodrum will vary depending on how the game was played (which animal companion Link had, how he raised Bipsom, and so on). The password assures that Link will have the same animal companion and the same son of Bipin and Blossom in the Linked Game.

In a Linked Game, Link begins his adventure with his Wooden Sword in Oracle of Seasons and with a Wooden Shield in Oracle of Ages, and with four Heart Containers instead of three.[9]

Plot Alterations

The main purpose of a Linked Game is to connect the plots of Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, in order to conclude to the series. A Linked Game witnesses the arrival of Princess Zelda to the lands of Holodrum or Labrynna, who is captured later on in the game by Twinrova, to be offered as a sacrifice for the resurrection of Ganon. By freeing both Oracles, Din and Nayru, by defeating General Onox or Veran, respectively (whichever is left), they are able to transport Link to the Room of Rites, a dungeon found only in a Linked Game. Here, Link fights Twinrova and, ultimately, Ganon.[4] Defeating Ganon concludes the Linked Game.

Password-Linked Events

There are several more alterations to the games made in a Linked Game. Characters that are found in both games, such as the Piratians, Bipin and Blossom, or Link's animal companions (Ricky, Moosh and Dimitri), will recognize Link from their past adventures. Even certain characters specific to one game will have heard of Link's deeds in an other land.[9] There are many events that happen in each game that would not otherwise happen.

Oracle of Ages

Link rescuing Zelda at the Black Tower

In a linked Oracle of Ages, Impa appears at the Black Tower partway through the game. She warns Link that Vire has kidnapped Princess Zelda and taken her into the tower, and asks him to go save her.[10] The rescue of the Princess plays out like the original Donkey Kong game, with Vire as Donkey Kong, Princess Zelda as Pauline, and Link as Jumpman (Mario). After she is saved, she will give Link the Blue Joy Ring.

Also, Rosa will appear on Crescent Island in the past.[11] She will help Link get back his Shovel after his items are stolen by the Tokay.[12] Rosa will appear once again in the present on Rolling Ridge along with several other Subrosians, who have come to learn of the Goron Dance.[13]

In a Linked Game, the Piratians appear in the present instead of the past, meaning the Sea of Storms is explored in the present as well, something that would not otherwise be possible.

Oracle of Seasons

The most notable of password-linked events is the appearance of Queen Ambi in a Seasons Linked Game. In this event, the storyline brought up but never completed in Oracle of Ages of Queen Ambi's long lost lover is concluded.[14] After clearing the Ancient Ruins, Queen Ambi appears at the entrance to Samasa Desert, being transported from past-age Labrynna to present-age Holodrum by the powers of Nayru.[15] The queen reveals she is looking for her long lost lover, who turns out to be Cap'n of the Piratians.[16][17] After a touching reunion, the Piratian captain expresses regret at not being able to stay with the queen, unable to resist his calling as a seafaring man.[18] Understanding, Ambi says she will always wait patiently for his return.[19]

After clearing Snake's Remains, Impa will be worried out of her mind for the safety of Princess Zelda and will ask Link to find her.[20] After going north a short distance, Link will run into the Great Moblin and his thugs attempting to rob and kidnap Princess Zelda.[21] After seeing Link, the Great Moblin complains about how he must have followed him from Labrynna to harass him and then challenges Link to a fight.[22] Fighting off the Great Moblin will earn Link the Blue Joy Ring.

Hero's Cave

Another addition is the appearance of an extra dungeon, called the Hero's Cave. In Oracle of Seasons, this replaces the original Hero's Cave, a mini-dungeon where Link obtains his first Sword (in a Linked Game, Link already has his sword at the start of the adventure). In Oracle of Ages, the Hero's Cave appears on a deviation of the Maku Road. This dungeon is considered to be one of the most difficult of the two games. The reward for completing it is the blue Armor Ring L-3 in Ages, and the red Power Ring L-3 in Seasons.

Transferring Rings

Main article: Vasu § Ring Transfer and Fortunes

Once two game files of Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons have been linked, appraised Magic Rings can be transferred between the two games with the help of either the Red Snake or the Blue Snake at Vasu Jewelers.

The Red Snake transfers the rings by giving Link a Ring Secret, which transfers the rings when told to the Red Snake in the opposing game.[23] The Blue Snake allows for ring transfer without the use of a secret by using two Game Boy Colors and a Game Link Cable.[24] However, it only works with Game Boy Colors and a Game Boy Color game link cable, as the games do not recognize the Game Boy Advance link cable and the linking feature will not function at all.

Secrets

Main article: Linking Secret
See also: Secrets
Farore, Oracle of Secrets
Farore, Oracle of Secrets

Secrets are the centerpiece of a Linked Game. On top of the Secret to Holodrum/Labrynna that begins a Linked Game, and the Ring Secret that allows Link to transfer his Magic Rings, Link will obtain many more secrets during the Linked Game by talking to certain people in the game.[25] These secrets are then told to a specific character in the first game Link completed. After telling the secret, a mini-game often ensues. Telling secrets rewards Link with a special item which is otherwise unobtainable.[26][27] Notable password-linked items include the Master Sword, the Mirror Shield, Bomb and seed capacity upgrades, Bombchus, Biggoron's Sword, and the L-3 Ring Box. A few powerful rings can also be found only through a Linked Game. All of these items are optional, but can be very useful to Link on his quest.

This system is held together by Farore, who resides in the Hall of Secrets found within the Maku Tree in both Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. Farore is the keeper of Link's secrets. When an item is obtained through "password-linking", Link also receives another password that allow him to bring said item back to the land opposite the one he is in (i.e., bringing an item obtained in Labrynna in Oracle of Ages using a password from a Linked Game in Oracle of Seasons, and using the return password to bring it back to Holodrum, and vice-versa). This password is presented to Farore in the opposite world in which the item is obtained. Farore will then transfer the item from Holodrum into Labrynna, or Labrynna into Holodrum.[27] The secrets are recorded in Farore's Memory, available to Link at any time.[28]

Hero's Game

At the end of a Linked Game, the Hero's Secret is received. Inputting the Hero's Secret at the start of a new game (the same one that was played with a Linked Game) allows Link to experience the game without the Linked Game's altered plot. Link starts with four Heart Containers instead of three, and rings from the two previous playthroughs can be transferred to this game file. At the end of the "Hero's Game", the Holodrum Secret or Labrynna Secret (depending on the game) will be obtained, allowing Link to experience another Linked Game for whichever game left. Therefore, the Hero's Secret allows the player to experience both games with the original and altered storylines.

On the File Selection Screen, a Hero's Game is identified by a Triforce in the upper-right.

Trivia

  • Linked Games are essential for the 100% Completion of Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons.
  • As a Linked Game would be much more complex with three games, the development of the third Oracle game was cancelled.[29]
  • A Linked Game in Oracle of Ages is the only way to access the Black Tower in the present.
  • If the player links Oracle of Seasons from Oracle of Ages, Onox will have a distinct reaction to Link, recognizing him as the one who defeated Veran while boasting that he is stronger before abducting Din. If the player links Oracle of Ages from Oracle of Seasons, however, Veran has no distinct reactions to Link's presence.

Nomenclature

Names in Other Regions
LanguageNames
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery

  • The Secret to Labrynna that starts a Linked Game in Oracle of Ages

    The Secret to Labrynna that starts a Linked Game in Oracle of Ages

  • The Secret to Holodrum that starts a Linked Game in Oracle of Seasons

    The Secret to Holodrum that starts a Linked Game in Oracle of Seasons

  • The Hero's Secret

    The Hero's Secret

  • A Linked Game file on the File Selection Screen in Oracle of Ages, identified by the Harp of Ages

    A Linked Game file on the File Selection Screen in Oracle of Ages, identified by the Harp of Ages

  • A Linked Game file on the File Selection Screen in Oracle of Seasons, identified by the Rod of Seasons

    A Linked Game file on the File Selection Screen in Oracle of Seasons, identified by the Rod of Seasons

  • A Hero's game file on the File Selection Screen, identified by the Triforce symbol

    A Hero's game file on the File Selection Screen, identified by the Triforce symbol

See Also

References

  1. ↑ Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 150 (OoSOracle of Seasons) & 151 (OoAOracle of Ages)
  2. ↑ You can play The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages as two separate, independent games, but by linking the two together, you'll have an even deeper adventure (Oracle of Seasons manual, pg. 16)
  3. ↑ As you play the two games, you'll learn many passwords, or secrets, that can be used to link the two games. These secrets that link the two games make up the link system (Oracle of Seasons manual, pg. 16)
  4. ↑ Upon completing The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, you will learn the secret (password) that will let you continue you quest by travelling to the distant land of Holodrum (Oracle of Ages manual, pg. 48)
  5. ↑ Upon completing The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, you will learn the secret (password) that will let you continue you quest by travelling to the distant land of Labrynna (Oracle of Seasons manual, pg. 48)
  6. ↑ To begin this game as a continuation of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, choose an unused file on the File Selection Screen, then choose "SECRETS" or "GAME LINK" (Oracle of Ages manual, pg. 16)
  7. ↑ To begin this game as a continuation of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, choose an unused file on the File Selection Screen, then choose "SECRETS" or "GAME LINK" (Oracle of Seasons manual, pg. 16)
  8. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages—The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 119
  9. ↑ Link! Great timing! This bird just told me that Zelda is on her way to Lynna Village! So I came to meet her, but... Oh, what a mess! A red monster appeared right before my eyes and carried Zelda off! It flew toward the tower... What am I to do? Link, Zelda is a symbol of hope for the world! If anything happens to her, all hope will be lost! You must save Zelda! Please, Link, you must find a way to save Zelda! — Impa (Oracle of Ages)
  10. ↑ I'm Rosa! You, like, forgot we dated?!? This is my first long trip in, like, forever! And I saw some weirdo with this Shovel I had seen before, so I, like, asked if he knew you. Then he, like, got all excited and went leapin' off somewhere. What a weirdo. — Rosa (Oracle of Ages)
  11. ↑ Was that, like, your Shovel? If you don't hang on to it, it could, like, wash out to sea. — Rosa (Oracle of Ages)
  12. ↑ That Goron Dance is way cool! I'm gonna make it popular in Subrosia, too! — Subrosian (Oracle of Ages)
  13. ↑ Queen Ambi had a boyfriend--a seafaring man. But he set sail one day and never came back. She's building a tall tower so she can search the lands for any sign of his return. It's called Ambi's Tower. It was a touching tale... — N/A (Oracle of Ages)
  14. ↑ Why, Link! What brings you here? I asked Nayru to send me on an eye-opening journey to different lands and different ages! Traveling alone is difficult, but it is one of a queen's many roles. However... This Holodrum is a strange place. The seasons here are so fickle. It must surely bring hardship to the people... — Queen Ambi (Oracle of Seasons)
  15. ↑ As I stand here watching the sea, I recall him. Yes, that seafaring man. But a child like you wouldn't understand my feelings. — Queen Ambi (Oracle of Seasons)
  16. ↑ Cap'n got a special someone he can't forget. What's more, she's said to be the queen of some great land. — Piratian (Oracle of Seasons)
  17. ↑ Ambi??? Nay, 'tis I that must be dreamin'!!! I never thought we'd meet again after so long! Even now, when I think of our parting, it pains my heart. Though many years 'ave gone by since then, you are as beautiful as ever... Ambi... I would stay 'ere with you if I could, but...sniff! Oh, Ambi! — Cap'n (Oracle of Ages)
  18. ↑ You need not explain--I understand. You are a seafaring man and cannot live your life on land... So I shall be your port of call, waiting always for your return! — Queen Ambi (Oracle of Seasons)
  19. ↑ It's t-terrible, Link! Ze-ze-ze... Zelda has left the castle in Hyrule without any guard and is on her way here! This homing pigeon told me! Please try to find Zelda! Please! I'll look in town. You look up north. — Impa (Oracle of Seasons)
  20. ↑ Such fine clothes... You must be a high-class girl! Rupees, jewels, everything! Give me your valuables! — Great Moblin (Oracle of Seasons)
  21. ↑ You... You're that boy! Don't tell me you followed me all the way from Labrynna to a place like this! You mean to stop me, don't you!?! I won't let you! I'll crush you this time! Take this! — Great Moblin (Oracle of Seasons)
  22. ↑ If you save the secret the Red Snake told you in an Oracle of Ages game you played, and tell it to the Red Snake here, you can bring rings found in your Oracle of Ages game here. In the same way, you can take rings from here to your Oracle of Ages game. — All About Ring Secrets (Oracle of Seasons)
  23. ↑ With a Game Link cable and two Game Boy Color systems, you can bring rings you found in an Oracle of Seasons game to Labrynna without saving your secret. Insert your Oracle of Seasons Game Pak into another Game Boy Color, insert a Game Link cable and turn the power ON, but don't press any buttons. Play Oracle of Ages, talk to Blue Snake and choose "Link" to bring Oracle of Seasons rings here. In the same way, you can take rings found here to your Oracle of Seasons game. — Ring Link Basics (Oracle of Ages)
  24. ↑ You will learn many passwords, or secrets, when you play a linked game. (Oracle of Seasons manual, pg. 16)
  25. ↑ As you play, you'll learn more secrets that will let you bring items from one game to the other, power up the items you have, and even [get] new items that are otherwise unavailable! (Oracle of Seasons manual, pg. 48)
  26. ↑ 27.0 27.1 The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages—The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, Nintendo of America, pg. 121
  27. ↑ You can review your secret in the Hall of Secrets on the completed Game Pak (Oracle of Seasons manual, pg. 18)
  28. ↑ IGN Article on the Third Oracle
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