The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Image
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 111 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1698 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: [*Reviews will go up on September 19 at 5am Pacific] 26 years after its original release on Game Boy, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening will be reborn as a new experience on Nintendo Switch. Buffeted by a storm, Link washes ashore on the mysterious Koholint Island. In order to return[*Reviews will go up on September 19 at 5am Pacific] 26 years after its original release on Game Boy, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening will be reborn as a new experience on Nintendo Switch. Buffeted by a storm, Link washes ashore on the mysterious Koholint Island. In order to return home, Link must overcome challenging dungeons and battle against fearsome monsters. This new version of the classic adventure includes many unique elements that appeared in the original Game Boy release, such as 2D platformer-style rooms and appearances from characters outside of The Legend of Zelda series. Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake - Official Announcement Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 0 out of 111
  1. Sep 23, 2019
    100
    I found playing through a modern imagining of this classic to be almost perfect. While it doesn’t reinvent the franchise or break convention, it never acts like it wants to. There’s something comforting about returning to a world like this: to know its every corner, to recognize its colorful cast, to feel truly lost in the experience.
  2. Sep 19, 2019
    95
    When I go to give Link's Awakening to someone else, would I recommend this version? Is this the game I want my kids to play? And yes. It is. Absolutely.
  3. Sep 19, 2019
    90
    The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a great remake, which makes loyalty and technical modernization its best points. With the exception of some minor slowdowns, we do not find drawbacks in a revival that pays tribute effectively, even today, to a historical chapter.
  4. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is one of the cutest and most unforgettable experiences you can ever had on a Nintendo Switch. The game is almost carbon copy of the original one but has that little touches to improve the experience. That is the kind of remake we always want to see.
  5. Sep 19, 2019
    85
    The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a loving remake of a decades-old game remake with just enough modern touches to make it worth playing again. Graphical overhaul aside, it’s perhaps a little too faithful to the original, while additions like the dungeon-builder are a bust. Newcomers get to experience one of the quirkiest games in the series, but for those who’ve played through it multiple times, there’s little reason to play other than nostalgia or adoration - both of which are perfectly good excuses to return to Koholint.
  6. Sep 26, 2019
    85
    Nintendo once again reaches back to the past to bring back one of its best games - the mobile adventures of a certain warrior in a green outfit. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is basically a brand new game that generates tons of fun even without the cult surrounding the series. If not for some technical issues, it would have been perfect.
  7. Oct 8, 2019
    60
    Unless you find this one on sale, do yourself a favor and grab Link’s Awakening DX instead. You’ll have the same game, minus the Chamber Dungeon, and updated graphics and still have plenty left over to get some other excellent titles.

See all 121 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 40 out of 537
  1. Feb 13, 2023
    10
    a bit childish looking, but its hard as f*ck. I loved it. I need to write something
  2. Oct 13, 2019
    10
    Another great Zelda game. Simple in design and still amazing to think this was a remake done from one of the first Zelda games.
  3. Sep 20, 2019
    10
    Siendo un super-fanático-enférmo de PlayStation, debo reconocer el gran trabajo de Nintendo creando este Remaster, sin duda una gran obra.
  4. Jun 6, 2023
    9
    The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening es uno de los mejores remakes que he jugado. El juego original, de la Game Boy, consiguió en su épocaThe Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening es uno de los mejores remakes que he jugado. El juego original, de la Game Boy, consiguió en su época ser uno de los mejores juegos de su consola, y este remake ha permitido que los jugadores que no pudieron jugar al original disfruten de un juego que hace muy bien todo lo que se propone, con una jugabilidad exquisita, unas mazmorras con fantásticos puzzles y bosses que han envejecido realmente bien y un mundo entrañable tanto por sus dimensiones como por su diseño. Su diseño artístico destaca por su originalidad y brillantez, habiendo logrado un mundo y unos personajes hechos de juguete como si estuviesen en un diorama. Este diseño viene acompañado por unas animaciones que consiguen que verdaderamente se sienta todo hecho de juguete, consiguiendo en su conjunto un arte único y sin precedentes en la industria. La banda sonora tiene varios de los mejores temas de toda la saga de Zelda, y en su mayoría es muy buena; y en el apartado sonoro está bien aunque hay algunos efectos de sonido que quizá ya no pegan tanto con los videojuegos actuales. La historia es una de las más personales y de la saga, y aun siendo bastante anecdótica le encaja como anillo al dedo a la idea del mundo y sus personajes (aunque es cierto que la mayoría de ellos son intrascendentes). Los minijuegos y los coleccionables también están bien implementados y le dan un añadido que complementa sensiblemente el juego, al igual que el nuevo creador de mazmorras de la choza de Dampé. Sin embargo, es cierto que este último es demasiado simple para el potencial que tenía y se podría haber hecho mejor. Como otros puntos negativos puedo destacar lo poco intuitivas que son algunas secciones del juego o la poca profundidad de los powerups, que se podrían haber desarrollado algo más. En conclusión, Link's Awakening es un gran remake y lo recomiendo a todos los jugadores. 9,1/10
    (02/2022)
    Expand
  5. Sep 20, 2019
    8
    I played it only for 1 1/2h right now but i know the original and can say that LA is one of the best 2D Zelda of all time which shouldI played it only for 1 1/2h right now but i know the original and can say that LA is one of the best 2D Zelda of all time which should definetly not be missed out by zelda fans and those who play to become one

    But i have to mention 2 negative aspects:
    1. This game is almost a 1 to 1 remake of a gameboy game, which ofc wouldnt be a problem beside the fact that this game costs 60$/€ which is definety way to much for this game (just compare this to a game like BotW which also costed 60€ at release)
    2.The framerate sadly drops a lot although this game doesnt really look like it should have this problems (but graphics wise this game looks very gorgous)

    So for the second problem i can only give this game a 8/10 but if nintendo(or grezzo) fix this problem in the future this game would be easily be a 9/10 at least
    Expand
  6. Oct 4, 2020
    8
    Great remaster, but if you played the original don't expect anything new.

    Some dips on fps affect the gameplay and the game is a bit short.
    Great remaster, but if you played the original don't expect anything new.

    Some dips on fps affect the gameplay and the game is a bit short. Other than that, a very enjoyable experience.

    Recommended.
    Expand
  7. Oct 27, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Uma m***a de jogo, pqp um remake q dá vergonha ao jogo original ent parem de jogar isso Expand

See all 537 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. The 40 Best Console-Exclusive Games of This Generation (PS4, Xbox One, and Switch)

    The 40 Best Console-Exclusive Games of This Generation (PS4, Xbox One, and Switch) Image
    Published: June 15, 2020
    We rank the 40 best console-exclusive games available on current generation hardware (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch).
  2. Fall Videogame Preview: 30 Most-Anticipated Games

    Fall Videogame Preview: 30 Most-Anticipated Games Image
    Published: August 23, 2019
    Get details on the most notable games headed to consoles and PC between now and the end of 2019.