The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

 Switch
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 111 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 108 out of 111
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 111
  3. Negative: 0 out of 111
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  1. Ars Technica
    Sep 19, 2019
    Nintendo took a safe chance with Link's Awakening, but it was a chance nonetheless. And in spite of graphical hitches and an adherence to the design of old, the full experience—however short and predictable it is in 2019—is absolutely worth diving into if you missed it the first time around... or deleted your old GameFAQs bookmark.
  2. British GQ
    Oct 23, 2019
    It’s a beautiful retread, capturing the toy-town essence of one of Link’s most obscure and off-the-wall adventures in his history.
  3. Eurogamer
    Sep 19, 2019
    A masterly remake that preserves Koholint Island for a new generation. [Eurogamer Essential]
  5. Kotaku
    Sep 19, 2019
    Link’s Awakening is a beautiful recreation of a legendary game, but it doesn’t have much to offer to players who already know the ins and outs of Koholint Island. For newcomers, or people who played Link’s Awakening two decades ago and can’t remember exactly how to finish the trading quest or track down that damn singing frog, this is a worthy remake and a must-play Zelda game.
  6. Mashable
    Sep 20, 2019
    The remake of Link’s Awakening on the Nintendo Switch is so much better than the original.
  7. Polygon
    Sep 19, 2019
    Link’s Awakening is a special adventure and a perfect introduction to even the youngest would-be Zelda fans, but it does fall short at times. The striking new presentation is stellar, even if the game can’t quite keep up with the splendor on the technical side. And the slight enhancements made to the original’s gameplay are mostly for good, even if the biggest new feature (Chamber Dungeons) doesn’t offer much. If you can get over these issues, you’ll find a charming recreation of one of the most approachable Zelda adventures ever made.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Oct 12, 2019
    I’ve always loved Link’s Awakening, hunched over my Game Boy and 3DS, lost in my own little world. But the Link’s Awakening remake has brightened my life considerably, by making it a game that lets you share the love.
  9. The Jimquisition
    Sep 23, 2019
    A stunningly faithful recreation of a classic Game Boy adventure. It's gorgeous, too. I mean, really gorgeous...Its got an aesthetic that demonstrates perfectly my argument that raw graphical power is not necessary make a stunningly beautiful game. In fact, Link's Awakening may be the best looking game on a console full of lovely visuals...As far as the gameplay itself goes, it's certainly nice. And old school. With a little emphasis on the "old" part of that phrase.
  10. The Verge
    Sep 19, 2019
    Link’s Awakening harkens back to a simpler time, one before terms like “open world” even existed. But thanks to some modern tweaks and a beautiful presentation, it approaches something close to timelessness.
  11. Vice
    Sep 19, 2019
    But Link’s Awakening remains a Game Boy game from 1993, and the fancy visuals don’t touch the core design, born from a specific time and place and different expectations. It remains that game, for better and worse, which means it’s a success. Link’s Awakening was special then and with the right expectations, remains special. Now, all we can do is hope Nintendo decides to give the rest of Zelda’s handheld adventures the same loving treatment.

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Switch Game of 2019
5
#5 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1698 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,413 out of 1698
  2. Mixed: 178 out of 1698
  3. Negative: 107 out of 1698
  1. PiperoDeCorazon
    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.
  2. BehindTheGames
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    Desde que salió el primer trailer de este remaster, siempre supe que iría a cumplir con todas mis espectativas, pero no de una manera tanDesde que salió el primer trailer de este remaster, siempre supe que iría a cumplir con todas mis espectativas, pero no de una manera tan milagrosa y fascinante como lo llegó a hacer este título.
    Tiene más que merecido sus 10, pues sus caídas de frames que ocurren muy rara vez al tener el juego en una MicroSD no son algo que malogre este pedazo de obra maestra.    … Full Review »
  3. Nincel
    Sep 20, 2019
    1
    It’s trash, total cash grab by Nintendo, runs horribly with terrible frame drops and they have the nerve to sell a 6 hour half assed game boyIt’s trash, total cash grab by Nintendo, runs horribly with terrible frame drops and they have the nerve to sell a 6 hour half assed game boy port for $60. I gave it a 1 because they triggered my nostalgia enough to trick me into buying it but I would return it if I could.… Full Review »
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