Linked Game


 * Disclaimer: Linked Game passwords vary from game to game. Passwords on this page will not likely work for your game.

A Linked Game is a situation in which the two games of the Oracle Series, Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, are interconnected, allowing for exclusive content not found in the individual games. 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.

Linked Games are accomplished via passwords (referred to in-game as "secrets") that connect the two games. At the end of whichever game is played first, a password will appear ("Holodrum Secret" if Oracle of Ages is played first, "Labrynna Secret" if Oracle of Seasons is played first). This password can be inputted into the opposite game while creating a new file, under "Secrets". Doing so begins a Linked Game. 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. Linked Games are identified by the Rod of Seasons or the Harp of Ages Link is holding. "Password-Linking" is a gameplay element unique to the Oracle series.

In a Linked Game, Link begins his adventure with his Wooden Sword, and with four Heart Containers instead of three.

Main Plot
The main purpose of a Linked Game is to connect the plots of 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 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. Defeating Ganon concludes the Linked Game, and thus the Oracle Series is completed.

Password-Linked Events
There are several more alterations to the game's plot 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. There are many events that happen in each game that would not otherwise happen. In a Seasons Linked Game, Queen Ambi appears in Holodrum, while in an Ages Linked Game, Rosa appears in Labrynna (both past and present). Numerous Subrosians also appear on Rolling Ridge, where they are very excited about learning the Goron Dance.

Another addition is the Hero's Cave dungeon. In Seasons, Hero's Cave is originally where Link finds his sword, but in a Linked Game, it becomes a much more difficult dungeon with the reward of the Power Ring L-3. In an Ages Linked Game, the Hero's Cave appears in Lynna City in a cave that otherwise does not exist. Its reward is the Armor Ring L-3.

Secrets/Passwords
Secrets are the centerpiece of a Linked Game, and a staple of the Oracle Series. Throughout a Linked Game, Link will come across various secrets told to him in the form of a password. These passwords 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 or ring which are otherwise unobtainable. Notable password-linked items include the Master Sword, the Mirror Shield, Bomb and seed 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. The secrets are recorded in Farore's Memory (in the completed game), available to Link at any time.

A special kind of secret is the Ring Secret. This secret allows Link to transfer all his rings on his list at Vasu Jewelers from one game to the other. This is done by obtaining a password from the Red Snake at Vasu Jewellers, then telling the password to the Red Snake of Vasu Jewellers in the opposite world, where he wishes to have his rings transferred.

Oracle of Ages
The following section lists all the secrets/passwords obtained in a Linked Game of Oracle of Ages. This list entails who Link must talk to in Labrynna in order to obtain the secret, who he must tell the secret to (and receive the return-password from) in Holodrum, the reward obtained from the secret, as well as whether or not a mini-game must be played in order to obtain said reward. This list does not include the Ring Secret mentioned above.

Oracle of Seasons
Much like the list for Oracle of Ages seen above, this section of the page is dedicated to the passwords obtained in a Linked Oracle of Seasons. This list entails who Link must talk to in Holodrum in order to obtain the secret, who he must tell the secret to (and receive the return-password from) in Labrynna, the reward obtained from the secret, as well as whether or not a mini-game must be played in order to obtain said reward. This list does not include the Ring Secret mentioned above.

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. However, secrets can still be exchanged and all the Linked-Game items can still be obtained. Rings from the two previous play-throughs can also be transferred to the 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 Link 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.
 * Since a Linked Game would be much more complicated with three games, the development of the third game of the Oracle Series was aborted.