The two Oracle games can be very confusing at first. If you're like me, you went out and bought both games, and started to play both at once. Some of the first things you would notice are: the introductions are very similar; the two games share some of the same characters; it's difficult to tell what time period the games fall into; and, it's difficult to see how the two games tie together at all. If you are confused in this way, it is because you did it wrong.

Did it wrong? What can I possibly mean by that? Well, here is the way Capcom intended for the games to be played. You are supposed to play only one game (either Ages or Seasons, it doesn't matter which). When you beat that game, you get a password. Then, you go out and buy the other game, and enter the password given to you by the first game. Then you enter what is called a "linked game." This linked game is different from the normal game in that Link is known by everyone to already have beaten the other game. In other words, a normal game happens first, and a linked game happens second.

Confused? Don't worry, just take things one step at a time. The sections of this article delineate as follows:

• Capcom's Involvement - Capcom's role in the production of the Oracle games, and why the Oracle games still "count" even though they were made outside of Nintendo.
  
  
• Time Line Placement - My thoughts on where in the series the Oracle games should be placed.
  
  
• The Link System - An explanation of the link system and how the two Oracle games connect with each other.
  
  
• Recycled Characters & Items - My thoughts on why similar characters and items appear in both games, and why OoT and MM characters are in Oracle at all.
  
  
• The Three Oracles - Speculation about the role of the oracles and why they are named after the three golden goddesses.
  
  
• Twinrova - Some background information on Koume and Kotake in OoT, MM, and Oracle, for those who are confused.