which Gameboy Legend of Zelda to play first?

[c0ldb33r]

I just today acquired the 4 gameboy zelda games (see the May finds (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=84809&start=100) thread)

In particular I got:
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

What is a good order to play them in? I know that Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons can interact with one another via password system - which would be good to do first? Is there any reason to play both Link's Awakening and Link's Awakening DX?

And finally, these are all the pre-GBA gameboy legend of zelda games, right?

Thanks :D

[Cirrus]

I would just skip the original Link's Awakening and go right to DX. Not a lot of differences, but DX has an extra mini-dungeon, etc.

As for Ages and Seasons, I've played both a million times. Ages = more puzzle oriented, Seasons = more action oriented. Just whichever you are in the mood for. I did Ages, then Seasons the first time I played through them.

Make sure to beat both and write the passwords down so you can take on the REAL enemy. :)

edit: Fixed the game titles! Doh!

[c0ldb33r]

To enter the Secret Dungeon, you must first beat the first 3 dungeons. Go to the library and dash into the upper wall to knock down a book. Read the book and it will tell you which directions to push the gravestones. Go to the graveyard screen with 5 gravestones (from upper left corner, move cursor right 7 times and down 7 times). Push the stones in the correct order and the correct way to enter the dungeon. Make sure you are using a Color Gameboy or you cannot enter...
I checked a FAQ on gameFAQs.com on the differences between link's awakening and the DX version and found the secret dungeon.

It says "make sure you are using a Color Gameboy or you cannot enter". So, if I'm playing on my GBA SP I can't get into the dungeon? Or is it GB Color or newer and I'll be able to enter? Can someone confirm whether you can get into the secret dungeon on a GBA?

I don't currently have a GB Color, but could pick one up if needed.

[Cirrus]

To enter the Secret Dungeon, you must first beat the first 3 dungeons. Go to the library and dash into the upper wall to knock down a book. Read the book and it will tell you which directions to push the gravestones. Go to the graveyard screen with 5 gravestones (from upper left corner, move cursor right 7 times and down 7 times). Push the stones in the correct order and the correct way to enter the dungeon. Make sure you are using a Color Gameboy or you cannot enter...
I checked a FAQ on gameFAQs.com on the differences between link's awakening and the DX version and found the secret dungeon.

It says "make sure you are using a Color Gameboy or you cannot enter". So, if I'm playing on my GBA SP I can't get into the dungeon? Or is it GB Color or newer and I'll be able to enter? Can someone confirm whether you can get into the secret dungeon on a GBA?

I don't currently have a GB Color, but could pick one up if needed.

Pretty sure the GBA works. I haven't had a GbC for years, but have played the secret dungeon. Also, keep in mind that the secret dungeon is about 8 minutes long and isn't all that special.

The rest of the game is top notch, though. :)

PS- If for some reason it didn't work, you could always pop it in a GBC and do the dungeon, and switch back. I don't think that'll be necessary though.

[Atari 5200]

Link's Awakening DX WILL work with the GBC, GBA, GBASP, and the GBPlayer

[c0ldb33r]

Right on. Thanks guys.

I just noticed if you put Zelda DX in a Super Gameboy you get a special border - It's pretty nice too, probably the best Super Gameboy Border I've ever seen.

I'm surprised they'd include include a SGB border because:
(1) it wasn't in the original,
(2) the game was designed to push gameboy color units, and the Super Gameboy is just a normal gameboy (not color compatible), and
(3) the game was released in 1998, pretty much at the absolute end of the SNES lifespan, so where's the incentive for SGB support?

Way to go Nintendo! Super Gameboy borders are awesome! I wish GB Player supported these.

edit: Here is a picture of the SGB border:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/92/zeldalinksawakeningdxf000as.th.png (http://img190.imageshack.us/my.php?image=zeldalinksawakeningdxf000as.png)

It doesn't look so washed out on an actual television (at least it doesn't seem to)

[Jumpman Jr.]

I'd personally do it in the order of:

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

While skipping Link's Awakening DX completely. The only reason I suggest this order is because that's the order in which I played them, and I haven't looked back. 8-)

[LocalH]

Also, keep in mind that the secret dungeon is about 8 minutes long and isn't all that special.
The hell it's not. When you beat it, you get a choice between the red (doubles power) or blue (doubles health) tunic. I make it a point to go for the red tunic as soon as I possibly can, which is basically like an always-on Piece of Power (except when you hit an enemy and kill it, it doesn't slide as far as it does with a Piece of Power, but this is cosmetic). Plus, you can pick up a Piece of Power on top of that. It's also great once you've finished the seashell game and gotten the L-2 sword.

[Push Upstairs]

I'd play "Link's Awakening" first

Because i find it to be a better game than "Seasons" (which i also own).

[Cirrus]

Also, keep in mind that the secret dungeon is about 8 minutes long and isn't all that special.
The hell it's not. When you beat it, you get a choice between the red (doubles power) or blue (doubles health) tunic. I make it a point to go for the red tunic as soon as I possibly can, which is basically like an always-on Piece of Power (except when you hit an enemy and kill it, it doesn't slide as far as it does with a Piece of Power, but this is cosmetic). Plus, you can pick up a Piece of Power on top of that. It's also great once you've finished the seashell game and gotten the L-2 sword.

Oh yeah.. hehe. Anyway, the message remains: Play DX first, then pick Ages for puzzles, or Seasons for action. :)

[calthaer]

Note: if you play Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons on a GBA instead of a GBC, you will also have special rings available to you in one of the shops. I can't remember exactly which shop and where, but I believe each game has a special GBA ring.

[Cirrus]

Note: if you play Oracle of Ages / Oracle of Seasons on a GBA instead of a GBC, you will also have special rings available to you in one of the shops. I can't remember exactly which shop and where, but I believe each game has a special GBA ring.

Yeah, I remember in Ages it's in the center town, over by the east exit. Next to the target practice game in the past. The GBA Time ring in the Ages game, Nature ring in Seasons.

I don't think they do anything, though.

Also, I think it's worth pointing out that Capcom developed these Zelda games, and I consider them "up there" with the rest of 'em. Left much more of an impression than Minish Cap, in my opinion.

[RegSNES]

I'd say go with Link's Awakening DX since it was the first GB Zelda (OK, minus the DX part, but you get the idea). As for after that, play which ever you want next. This thread reminds me, I still haven't opend up my sealed copies of Ages/Seasons. I think it's been. 4 years now.

[c0ldb33r]

...This thread reminds me, I still haven't opend up my sealed copies of Ages/Seasons. I think it's been. 4 years now.
Do you plan on opening them?

[RegSNES]

...This thread reminds me, I still haven't opend up my sealed copies of Ages/Seasons. I think it's been. 4 years now.
Do you plan on opening them?

Ha, sure why not? :) I mean, I plan to get around to them. It's just I haven't even beaten, started my Link's Awakening DX yet. I'm waaaaaay behind on my games.

[DigitalSpace]

I have Link's Awakening DX and both Oracle games, none of which I've played through yet. I'm planning to start with DX.

[c0ldb33r]

I started with Zelda DX.

It's kind of difficult so far! (then again I always find zelda games hard with only 3 hearts)

[donkeykong1]

I think that any order would be fine, just don't put DX in between the oracles games. Then you might look like a weirdo @_@

[cyberfluxor]

Well, I only own "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons" and it's pretty fun. I've spent a few hours on it from road trips and flights and is quite entertaining with burning time. It's worth playing if you want to put time into a game.

I've been wanting to get "The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages" too but waiting to find it under $10 at the pawn shops and all with a case. I lack a lot of game cases for portable systems so I need to start getting games with them as well instead of having to later buy a bulk of cases.

But anyways, both of those are supposed to be similar gameplay but different storylines somehow. But if you plan on playing all of these games then I guess it doesn't really matter what order you play. If you look at release dates, it may be best to play the earliest release up to the newest title. Do what you want best and just game on. ;)