Beloved Zelda Classics Arrive to the Nintendo Switch eShop

What a delightful surprise! Nintendo has generously added two timeless classics from the Zelda series to its Switch Online subscription service. On July 27, players can now enjoy The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, and the timing couldn't be more perfect.

Before this addition, the Game Boy library on the Nintendo handheld hybrid was quite sparse. However, with the inclusion of these companion pieces from 2001, it is now shaping up to be a more fulfilling collection. These games, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, perfectly blend the nostalgic charm of old-school top-down Zelda adventures with clever mechanics that result in engaging puzzles and visually appealing pixel art gameplay.

In Oracle of Seasons, Link wields the Rod of Seasons to manipulate time and change the seasons, while in Oracle of Ages, the Harp of Ages enables him to travel through time. Both these instruments bring about transformations in different parts of the world, with Oracle of Ages focusing more on puzzle-solving aspects. The brilliance lies in the fact that completing one game grants a secret code to alter the gameplay and storyline in the other, creating a unique interactive experience. Players who complete both games can then take on the final secret boss, adding an extra layer of excitement.

What truly sets these games apart and endears them to players is the rich and captivating overworlds filled with monsters to battle, items to collect, and secrets to unveil. Released shortly after Ocarina of Time, they mark the end of the classic 2D structure of the series, where players explored dense maps and conquered individually themed dungeons—a feature that some still yearn for in modern Zeldas like Tears of the Kingdom.

For many, Oracle of Seasons and Ages rank among the finest handheld Zelda games ever crafted by Nintendo. In fact, for some, they stand tall as two of the greatest entries in the entire Zelda series. As the summer heat intensifies, there couldn't be a more opportune moment to take a delightful escape from reality and immerse oneself in the enchanting, surreal, and nostalgia-filled worlds of these two gems.