Let's Play 31: "Zelda: Oracle of Ages/Seasons" Quiz

Answer: Holodrum

"Oracale of Ages" and "Oracle of Seasons" are the third and fourth game in the Zelda series to be set outside of Hyrule. "Seasons" is set in Holdrum and also has a second world called Subrosia. "Ages" is set in Labrynna. Labrynna is a much larger overworld than Holodrum; however, there is a past version of Holodrum which makes the overworld areas in both games comparable in size.

Answer: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Several lands in the "Zelda" series appear only once and never again. Koholint Island from "Link's Awakening" disappeared when the Wind Fish awoke. Termina appears only in "Majora's Mask". While only "Seasons" features "Holdrum", in "The Minish Cap" Link can purchase a figurine of Din in a shop. The figurine comes with a note that states she is a dancer from Holdrum.

Nayru, the Oracle of Ages, also appears in "The Minish Cap", and the game also references "Labrynna".

Answer: Poison Moth's Lair

The original intent of these two game were to remake the first two original "Zelda" titles. However, that changed, and Nintendo developed three different games, each with linked endings. The third title was scrapped due to problems with linking.

While they did not remake the original NES titles,"Seasons" uses the bosses from the original "Zelda" title and features these enemies as dungeon bosses. All six dungeon bosses from the original "Zelda" title appear in "Seasons". Only the third and eight dungeon feature new bosses. Link must fight Mothula in the third dungeon, "Poison Moth's Lair". Mothula first appears in the SNES title "A Link to the Past". Only Medusa Head from the eight dungeon is a new boss to the series.

These are the dungeons and bosses:

Gnarled Root Dungeon: Aquamentus
Snake's Remains: Dodongo
Poison Moth's Lair: Mothula
Dancing Dragon Dungeon: Gohma
Unicorn's Cave: Digdogger
Ancient Ruins: Manhandla
Explorer's Crypt: Gleeock
Sword & Shield Maze: Medusa Head

Answer: Sword & Shield Maze

The Sword and Shield Maze is located in the northwest corner of Subrosia. Link can only gain entrance to this dungeon by using a portal from the Temple of Seasons. This dungeon is the only one that the Maku Tree cannot detect, possibly due to it being located in Subrosia rather than Holdrum.

Answer: Vire

When playing a linked game, Link finds the Pyramid Jewel in "Seasons" in an underwater cave in "Sunken City". Vire, who is the mini-boss of the "Seasons" dungeon Ancient Ruins and the "Ages" dungeon Mermaid's Cave, will move the Pyramid Jewel to a higher ledge. In the linked "Ages" game, he unsuccessfully attempts to kidnap Princes Zelda.

Answer: Nayru

Nayru is a dancer, and there is speculation she is the incarnation of Nayru, the Hyrule deity. Veran captures Nayru and possesses her so Veran can control the tides of time. Nayru also has the Harp of Ages, which allows Link to travel back and forth through time.

Answer: Queen Ambi

The Captain and his crew were transformed into Stalfos and becomes separated from his lover, Queen Ambi. Queen Ambri is Ralph's ancestor, who is Nayru's body guard, so it quite probably the Captain is also Ralph's ancestor. In a linked game, Nayru sends Queen Ambi through time and she appears in Holdrum, where she and the Captain are united.

Answer: Veran

Queen Ambi's original intention was to construct a tower as a beacon for her lost lover, the Captain. However, Veran, who had captured Nayru, forced the workers to construct the tower under harsh conditions. With Ambi possessed, Veran takes control of Labyrnna.

Answer: False

Zoras appeared in all previous "Zelda" games when Nintendo and Capcom released "Seasons" and "Ages". The Zoras from previous titles were portrayed as monstrous reptiles that burst out of the water in different bodies of water that Link encountered during his travels. These Zoras would attacked Link on sight. "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link" features an armored, land-crawling Zora. In "A Link to the Past", they fire shots at Link. There is the King of Zoras who will sell Link the Flippers. In "Link's Awakening" their role is largely the same as in the original NES title, although there is a friendly Zora in the Animal village. He can only be detected by the Magnifying Lens.

In "Ocarina of Time" and "Majora's Mask", Nintendo radically redesigned the concept of Zoras, making them an intelligent race with a much different body form and function. These Zoras are Sea Zoras, and they have societies and complex social relationships, governments, and hierarchies.

Sea Zoras' first appearance in a top-down game are the two "Oracle" titles, and they are hostile to Link.

Answer: Head Thwomp

Head Thwomp from the Wing Dungeon (Level 2) appears straight out of the Mario series. This particular thwomp has several different faces that continually rotate. Link must throw bombs in his mouth from up above.

This is the only boss battle in "Ages" to occur from a side-scrolling perspective, rather than a top-down traditional Zelda view.

I meant to write a question covering Ganon in this game and Twinrova (Kotume and Kotake), but maybe that will come up in a future quiz. Until next time, good bye!