As of July 27, 2023, two additional Legend of Zelda games are available to play through the Nintendo Switch Online service. The games are The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons. This marks the first time these games have been widely available since their inclusion on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in 2013.
You can receive both games for free if you have a Nintendo Switch Online Membership and have downloaded the Game Boy – Nintendo Switch Online software to your Switch. If your Switch is not set to receive automatic updates, you must download the update manually.
Both games feature the same features, visuals, and gameplay of the original versions. The only significant change made was to offer players the ability to play the Linked Games through one console. Originally, players needed to connect multiple systems and games together via passwords and the Game Boy Game Link Cable to access this exclusive game content.
Originally released in 2001, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons were a duology exclusive to the Game Boy Color. The games were inspired by Link’s Awakening DX, a colorized remake of Link’s Awakening that released in 1998. Oracle of Ages explores the theme of time travel, with Link using the Harp of Ages to move between two different eras within the land of Labrynna. Oracle of Seasons explores the theme of weather manipulation, with Link using the Rod of Seasons to alter the environment in the land of Holodrum.
