The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons is the first of two upcoming Zelda games for the Game Boy Color.  The game will be part of the "Oracle Series" scheduled for release in May.  The two games link together to provide new challenges after one has been finished.  After finishing the first game you will receive a special password that can be entered into the other game, which transfers your character's name over to the second game, gives you four heart containers instead of the usual three, as well as a sword and shield, when you would normally start out with nothing.  Link will only be able to fight the true boss of the Oracle Series when the password is entered into the second game.

The Rod of the Four Seasons    

The Rod of Seasons is a new item to the Zelda series.  It will have an important role in Zelda: Oracle of Ages as Link must find it and then use it to change the seasons in the game.  Many puzzles in the game will be based on Link's use of the Rod of Seasons.  For example, In some areas, it may be impossible for link to get to a certain spot because it is surrounded by water.  Link can use the Rod of Seasons to change the season to winter, freezing the lake and creating an ice bridge.  Many puzzles in the game will be based on using the Rod of Seasons.

Characters

     Not only will Zelda: Oracle of Seasons bring back characters from older Zelda games, it will feature some entirely new characters as well.  One of these characters is a kangaroo named Ricky who allows Link to climb into his pouch.  While Link is in his pouch, you can control Ricky, giving you the ability to jump and punch through obstacles that Link would not normally be able to get past.  Another new character is a witch named Maple who will crash into Link and cause different things to happen.  Unfortunately, Nintendo has not revealed very many details as to Maple's exact role.  If Zoras and Gorons aren't enough, Nintendo introduces a new group to the game, the Uura Tribe.  The Uura live inside a volcano and work as blacksmiths.  They have no use for money, so Link must find things to trade them.  

     In addition to the new characters, some old characters will be returning, but in different roles.  In previous Zelda games, Dodongos have always been Link's enemies.  In Zelda: Oracle of Seasons, however, Link meets Dmitri, a friendly Dodongo who helps Link swim in areas where the water is too deep.  Like always, several enemies from older Zelda games will be making returns, such as Octoroks and Like-likes.  Several other characters will be returning from the old Zelda games, such as Impa, Tingle, the Zoras, Gorons, and a few others.  Some characters will be in the game right away, while others will only appear when the password from Oracle of Ages has been entered.

Items

     Zelda: Oracle of Seasons will have all of the major items we are all used to.  Bombs, swords, shields, shovels, slingshots and boomerangs will all return to the game.  In addition to these items, Link will make use of several different types of seeds, all of which serve a different purpose.  Some allow Link to set things on fire, such as torches or enemies, while others will perform special functions, such as giving Link superior speed or teleporting him to another location.

     From the information Nintendo has made available, Zelda: Oracle of Seasons will live up to the very high standards set by the previous Zelda games.  It has a great storyline, combined with great graphics and sound, excellent gameplay, and the familiar Zelda characters we all know and love.  Look for this game to be considered one of the best Game Boy games for many years to come!