The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

 Switch
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
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  1. plato1123
    Jun 8, 2020
    5
    Cute graphics and fun nastalgia but wayyyy too much backtracking. Kind of a meh RPG in this day and age. Too bad because I find the graphics to be fun and quirky.
  2. piff2000
    Dec 29, 2020
    7
    As someone who played the original, this is a lovely remake that captures the spirit of the original! It is a little expensive for what you’re getting and there are occasional frame rate issues, but it’s still a great addition to any switch library.
  3. Poochingus
    Feb 1, 2020
    6
    Overall a nice throwback to a beloved title in the series. This game brings a lot of natural quality of life changes due the fact you have more than the A and B buttons from the gameboy. However it also introduced an art style that I can't love. The whole game looks like plastic and I personally don't like it, and link's design is not very appealing. That being said, the game is stillOverall a nice throwback to a beloved title in the series. This game brings a lot of natural quality of life changes due the fact you have more than the A and B buttons from the gameboy. However it also introduced an art style that I can't love. The whole game looks like plastic and I personally don't like it, and link's design is not very appealing. That being said, the game is still Link's awakening. A fun romp on koholint island is welcome after about 2 decades. I would have liked there to be more to do with Dampe's dungeon creation tool as well. It is very restrictive, and you can't even share your creations(not that I would considering how lame it turned out to be). I hope the feature was just a test run for a dungeon creation tool ala mario maker.

    In total I can say the game is fun, but not worth the full $60 asking price. When the original game on gameboy released for $30, it is a big ask when so little has been changed or added. If this were a new game and not a remake, I'd understand. But I'd say wait to buy it used on Ebay or a sale. If you are a diehard fan, there is no other reason to put it off though. So snag it and play it. I had a great time, and you will too!    … Expand
  4. Moemoe1
    Sep 24, 2019
    7
    Played breath of the wild so I thought about giving this game a try. It’s an ok game at best for someone who isn’t so deep into the Zelda lore this game isn’t anything ground breaking. If you’re on a tight budget and deciding if u should get this game or not I’d say wait till it’s on sale
  5. TheRussianator
    Mar 9, 2020
    5
    I've only previously played Breath of the Wild, found a lot to like about that game, but ultimately it was a huge world with almost nothing to do. So I thought that Link's Awakening would turn me into a Zelda fan, since the original is considered to be one of the finest entries in the franchise. The trailers looked too cute to overlook, so I bought the game.

    This is, without a doubt,    I've only previously played Breath of the Wild, found a lot to like about that game, but ultimately it was a huge world with almost nothing to do. So I thought that Link's Awakening would turn me into a Zelda fan, since the original is considered to be one of the finest entries in the franchise. The trailers looked too cute to overlook, so I bought the game.

    This is, without a doubt, one of the most boring games on the Switch. The gameplay consists of repetitively mashing two buttons and walking around. I understand that this is a remake of an old game, but when your progression depends on trading items with certain NPCs in the correct sequence, I cannot possibly enjoy the game. My experience was composed of playing for 15 minutes, then going on YouTube for walkthrough guidelines. Since this is a remake, tweaking the final product to fit into the habitat of modern games would not be a bad idea. Of course, appealing to the fans of the original is important, but you're trying to attract new players. This is, by no means, a game that should've come out in this state in 2019. The Switch can run the damn Witcher 3 at 30 frames, but it can't handle a smooth 60 fps experience of this game? Every transition between locations is met with a massive frame drop which pisses you off each time it happens.

    There are some positives, however. The atmosphere is cute, the music is awesome and adds to the experience by fitting the sound with the visuals on display. Some enemy designs were decent, and their abundance was gratifying. Nonetheless, with all these attributes present, I was consistently bored and found myself pushing to the end in order to justify the 60 dollar purchase. I failed, though, and didn't finish it. This is by far the worst 60 dollar purchase of my entire life. Take that as you may and be cautious to what you read about this game online, because it's mostly fans of the original praising the remake on what it did faithfully, which I found to be some of the worst aspects of the games(i.e. the gameplay and the story)    … Expand
  6. vodkaffee
    Sep 21, 2019
    7
    amazingly fun game, but why does it has 100 times more framedrops than astral chain? it makes no sense and sometimes is annoying for playing.
    EDIT: is very annoying for playing #fixLinksAwakening
  7. hakai124
    Sep 23, 2019
    6
    So this may be a mildly controversial opinion, the 1993 original was better. There's a fair amount of good and bad to discuss with the game though to be fair, the good points aren't anything to do with this iteration of the game but more just the original shining through.
    Pros:
    1. This is Link's Awakening, one of the best original Gameboy games from the early 90's. 2. Endearing art    So this may be a mildly controversial opinion, the 1993 original was better. There's a fair amount of good and bad to discuss with the game though to be fair, the good points aren't anything to do with this iteration of the game but more just the original shining through.
    Pros:
    1. This is Link's Awakening, one of the best original Gameboy games from the early 90's.
    2. Endearing art style even though some things look rather basic.
    3. These are all directly from the original; the item variety, the inclusion of enemies from other classic Nintendo games, the decent sized world to explore and find secrets in.

    Cons:
    1. Input lag, this is most noticeable when using the Roc's Feather so far.
    2. Framerate issues, the framerate chugs at times for no discernible reason.
    3. Horrible blur covering roughly the top and bottom 20% of the screen, this may have been an artistic choice but it looks really bad.
    4. Shaking text boxes, trying to read text that's constantly shifting around is a great way to get a headache.
    5. 8 directional movement feels out of place, this is purely subjective due to me playing the Gameboy version of this game a good amount.
    6. Control customization, it's not possible to move with a d-pad if you have a controller with one prominent, the A-button is used purely for context commands and interactions rather than being customizeable, you can only map items to X and Y which can mean some actions like jumping with the Roc's feather feel unnatural.

    Overall it's a decent remake but not for anything the remake did but because of how good the original is. If you're not a huge Zelda fan who simply has to play/own them all you can happily skip this.    … Expand
  8. Kaneris
    Sep 23, 2019
    6
    It's a great game, even for the shortest Zelda, as the original was.
    The remake looks beautiful, as is the art desing...
    Shikashi, the frame rate it's teeeeerrible, running at 20fps with frame drops The top and bottom of the screen is fully covered in vaseline for some reason, trying to make a "blurry effect" that looks terrible... Not a bad game thought, just doesn't worth 60€ for 8    It's a great game, even for the shortest Zelda, as the original was.
    The remake looks beautiful, as is the art desing...
    Shikashi, the frame rate it's teeeeerrible, running at 20fps with frame drops
    The top and bottom of the screen is fully covered in vaseline for some reason, trying to make a "blurry effect" that looks terrible...
    Not a bad game thought, just doesn't worth 60€ for 8 hours long...
    I strongly recommend you to rent it instead buying it    … Expand
  9. Techbane
    Sep 21, 2019
    7
    Faithful to a fault -- except where performance is concerned. For a game that looks like it could be running on the 3DS, the fact that there are bloated loading times and frequent pronounced framedrops is utterly inexcusable, not to mention that this version of the game costs TWICE its original sticker price on the Game Boy back in 1993. You're restricted to single-speed, 8-directionalFaithful to a fault -- except where performance is concerned. For a game that looks like it could be running on the 3DS, the fact that there are bloated loading times and frequent pronounced framedrops is utterly inexcusable, not to mention that this version of the game costs TWICE its original sticker price on the Game Boy back in 1993. You're restricted to single-speed, 8-directional movement and yet aren't allowed to use the D-pad to move despite that it isn't mapped to anything else.

    That said, Link's Awakening is Link's Awakening. Aside from the issues above, it's still a fantastic game and there have been significant improvements made to the minigames and button mappings. Good experience, but the constant performance issues and "Nintendo gonna Nintendo" price point really do bring it down a few points for me.    … Expand
  10. TheSeahorse
    Sep 21, 2019
    7
    Nintendo, nintendo, nintendo, why are you so good and so bad at the same time? This game is amazing, but when I pay full price for a game made by NINTENDO I expect quality. I don't want to get hit by a lag spike every time I enter a new area or by just walking around. It never dips below 15fps but it happens ALL THE TIME and it really breaks the immersion. Very disappointed with how muchNintendo, nintendo, nintendo, why are you so good and so bad at the same time? This game is amazing, but when I pay full price for a game made by NINTENDO I expect quality. I don't want to get hit by a lag spike every time I enter a new area or by just walking around. It never dips below 15fps but it happens ALL THE TIME and it really breaks the immersion. Very disappointed with how much lag is in this game. If you don't want to buy it because of that I don't blame you.

    Otherwise the game is really good, a solid 9/10 game but come on Nintendo, there can't be this much lag in a game that has toon graphics. Hoping for a patch in the coming days.    … Expand
  11. midipon
    Dec 6, 2019
    5
    Way too direct of a remake. Has all the negative holdovers of an older game, without enough positives. A Link Between Worlds (2013) has 5X as much content as Link's Awakening and it's wrapped in a better package. If you were expecting more like ALBW; don't.
    Link's Awakening itself isn't such a bad game, but it's not 1993 anymore. We don't need straight remakes of 1993 games.
  12. willnasse
    Sep 22, 2019
    7
    This game would be a ten if it weren’t for the performance issues. The frame rate drops mentioned honestly manifest into stuttering at points and make this hard to recommend until patched.
  13. Syl20
    Oct 17, 2019
    7
    If I would've reviewed this game after its first 2-3 hours of gameplay, it would've been pretty close to a perfect 10! Let's say 9.

    Problem is that now that I've been all the way through and only have the weak and dull dungeon creator remaining, I feel like it's been a very short experience that in the end was expensive at 79,99$ canadian dollars! I totally digged it for the first    If I would've reviewed this game after its first 2-3 hours of gameplay, it would've been pretty close to a perfect 10! Let's say 9.

    Problem is that now that I've been all the way through and only have the weak and dull dungeon creator remaining, I feel like it's been a very short experience that in the end was expensive at 79,99$ canadian dollars!

    I totally digged it for the first 2-3 dungeons and side missions but the "wow" factor of the remake graphics quickly faded and the very simplist errands began to feel more like a chore.

    The game is great, but it's hard to say it's worth it when you can have some very deep games like Breath of the Wild for the same price tag.    … Expand
  14. S0urceC0de
    Sep 22, 2019
    6
    I’m a huge Zelda fan, ever since the 80’s and I was incredibly hyped about this remake. However, the initial reviews out of the gate revealed that there were frame rate drops and I thought to myself “well, how bad could it be? It’s a Zelda title after all”. After picking up the game Friday and excitedly starting the game I realized just how bad it was. It really makes the game unenjoyableI’m a huge Zelda fan, ever since the 80’s and I was incredibly hyped about this remake. However, the initial reviews out of the gate revealed that there were frame rate drops and I thought to myself “well, how bad could it be? It’s a Zelda title after all”. After picking up the game Friday and excitedly starting the game I realized just how bad it was. It really makes the game unenjoyable when everything else about the game is fantastic. It is for this fact alone that I give it a 6. If it wasn’t for this I would have no problem bumping it up to a 8. Why a 8? Well it’s a great Zelda game but not worthy of a score higher than that based off of gameplay, etc. A lot of people seem to be giving it a high score solely based on the fact it is a Zelda game which is completely off base. Honestly I enjoyed A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS a lot more than Link’s Awakening.… Expand
  15. JCgamer18
    Sep 28, 2019
    7
    This will be pretty long but i'm totally a huge LoZ fan but as someone who never played the original Link's Awakening. I was really disappointed. My overall feelings are at the bottom so if you don't want to read thru everything just go to the bottom for a quick overview.

    Graphics: 7/10 I could never get into the graphical style but to me that was not a big deal, what was really    This will be pretty long but i'm totally a huge LoZ fan but as someone who never played the original Link's Awakening. I was really disappointed. My overall feelings are at the bottom so if you don't want to read thru everything just go to the bottom for a quick overview.

    Graphics: 7/10
    I could never get into the graphical style but to me that was not a big deal, what was really annoying was the frame drops and the motion blur that blurred out the bottom 1/8 of my television and i checked several games its just this game that's doing it meaning they put it there purposely and it felt disorienting when i was looking to go down and it felt like they purposely did that to help the frame rate which still has issues.

    Controls 8/10: The quality of life improvements are fantastic. After i beat it i looked at what they added and changed and the control changes were a welcome addition to the game always having the sword, shield and pegasus boots equipped makes for much smoother game play and the controls were very fluent except when it came to movement. movement was way too tight and it felt way too rigid and stiff and the fact its only 8 directions hammered that in. I feel like going with 3d movement like link between worlds would have fixed this issues and because of that it makes his movements look really awkward when walking and its noticeable especially when you turn it reminds me of Pokemon X/Y or ORAS where they would awkwardly move diagonally because they were still adapting to 3d movement when LoZ has had it for years at this point. It also makes dodging enemies much harder than it needs to be and there were countless times where it felt like i could have dodge d that if i had proper joystick movement.

    Game play: 9/10
    The game play was great and fluent and i really did like how all the items were useful, even the later ones like the mirror shield which meant that guarding reflect projectiles of enemies meaning you did not need to waste time with throwing enemies it made great use of everything and it did it brilliantly

    story 10/10
    I really loved this story and how simple it was. It truly was great and the story beats really came off strong and loved how the story played out.

    Content: 3/10
    This is where it falls short and does fall hard. They added more seashells and hearts and they added Dampe's shack. The seashells and heart pieces were easy to find and figuring out how to get them was not hard because after 15 seashells you get the seashell tracker but it added very little to increase the time played. Dampe was an even bigger disappointment because after you do his 3rd level of challenges he offers literally nothing useful because by the time you unlock the other trials unless you are going to collect every stone tablet its worthless. Since you can only play with others if they have Amiibo its totally worthless and this should have had online and feels like they really cut stuff out to get it out on time. I completed this game 100% meaning all heart pieces, seashells and all items and side missions done in 18 hours. I expect more than that from a 60 dollar Zelda game that is new it was just disappointing and i go into all LoZ without expectations and this is better than skyward sword but there are so many better LoZ that do it better and one of those being BotW. I liked the game but for 60 dollars you better be offering a ton of content. Its a switch game that feels like a game made for Nintendo 3ds but came too late. with console games i have way higher expectations than handheld and this just does not meet those requirements to be considered acceptable especially for a 60 dollar game.

    Overall: 7.5/10

    its definitely not the worst legend of zelda but to me its the most disappointing because of the price of the game and how short the game is with its lackluster amount of content. This game IS NOT BAD JUST DISAPPOINTING; especially since it costs 60 dollars. The game play, story are great, the controls and graphics are very mixed with the movement controls being way to rigid and stiff and the frame rate drops plus that Bad motion blur at the bottom of the screen. Id say wait for a price drop and then pick it up because this feels like a 40 dollar game and not a 60 dollar one.    … Expand
  16. Kwar
    Sep 27, 2019
    6
    TBH I really was expecting more from the game. I'm already at the 7th dungeon and it's just WAY TOO EASY! The enemies are sooo bulky and it doesn't take much skill to overcome the challenges. I'm a huge Zelda fan having had the original in the 80's and well just wanted more. Oh well... Looking forward to BOTW 2 whenever that comes out.
  17. Djalminha
    Sep 20, 2019
    6
    Buen juego,cumple no mucho mas. Se lo sobrevalora demasiado por lo que significa aunque el juego no ofrece mucho
  18. wesker2012
    Dec 2, 2019
    6
    Cute graphics but the game was more of a chore to get through than fun for me. Especially because quite a few things in the game weren't intuitive at all.
  19. CyberRobotnix
    Sep 21, 2019
    6
    Gameplay: Simplistic like the original. Nothing wrong here. However there's one problem with the game, it's the constant LAG. How the **** Nintendo messed that one up?
    Graphics: This game genuinely looks like a Zelda fangame made in Unreal Engine 4 and released on Gamejolt which makes it look so unprofessional and many have complained about the plastic textures all over the place. Other    Gameplay: Simplistic like the original. Nothing wrong here. However there's one problem with the game, it's the constant LAG. How the **** Nintendo messed that one up?
    Graphics: This game genuinely looks like a Zelda fangame made in Unreal Engine 4 and released on Gamejolt which makes it look so unprofessional and many have complained about the plastic textures all over the place. Other than that it's not so ugly, it's actually quite a pretty game, so that's cool I guess.
    Music: I really do like the remixed tunes the game has.
    World design: Like the original, unlike the gameplay, this could have been changed a bit to meet the criterias of modern standards, this game looks like Minecraft or some voxel sandbox game and that's bad really. Nintendo could have easily made the world design as good if not better than the original by modifying all the blocky elements.

    Overall, this game gets a 6 from me, it's good.    … Expand
  20. Kilder004
    Sep 27, 2019
    7
    Un excelente juego pero Nintendo se paso al venderlo por $60 tomando en cuenta que se puede acabar en unas 6hrs, de momento no vale la pena comprarlo por ese preecio. lo justo eran $40 como los remakes de Crash que te dan muchas mas horas de juego
  21. Milidante
    Sep 25, 2019
    7
    Game of the year??? Are you kidding me?? Absolutely its a good game and really enjoybale but not that much. Zelda doesnt deserve this much hype. Again i say its a good game but not score of 97. It has three big problems. First its **** mechanism of weapons that broke after some fights and no option to repair it. So when you find a nice and uniqe weapon you don want to use it bkz it willGame of the year??? Are you kidding me?? Absolutely its a good game and really enjoybale but not that much. Zelda doesnt deserve this much hype. Again i say its a good game but not score of 97. It has three big problems. First its **** mechanism of weapons that broke after some fights and no option to repair it. So when you find a nice and uniqe weapon you don want to use it bkz it will broke soon and its really awfull for and rpg game. You found your self in a big empty world and just doing idiot side quese , finding shrines and some time a not challenging combat. Lack of boss fight is help to its boring experience. The only good thing is the castle part that really differs from hyrule. Hyrule really need a big change after this many years with this frenchise.… Expand
  22. sarisa
    Jun 13, 2020
    5
    Its difficult to give a good note for this one. Technically everything is fine. But does it mean it's 10/10 game in 2020? If it was 1993, this could be true. But we are 27 years later... and this is nearly one-to-one remake, so gameplaywise, storywise, dungeonwise... you can't expect anything exciting. Old 2D Zelda - that's what this game is. In this regard, this game is average at bestIts difficult to give a good note for this one. Technically everything is fine. But does it mean it's 10/10 game in 2020? If it was 1993, this could be true. But we are 27 years later... and this is nearly one-to-one remake, so gameplaywise, storywise, dungeonwise... you can't expect anything exciting. Old 2D Zelda - that's what this game is. In this regard, this game is average at best comparing to what we got used since OoT. It's clear Nintendo was trying to make exact clone, but with refurbished graphics. Nothing more, nothing less. So obviously their intention was not to make game like FF7 remake, but rather another "Wind Waker HD" and convert good old game you know to modern standard. And they succeeded! Problem is that in 2020 Link's Awakening is not that good game anymore considering modern competition or even other, newer Zeldas. Strongly recommended if you never played Link's Awakening (it's classic!) or wanted to bring back good old memories of your childhood. Otherwise, you can just pass by. Giving better note than 5/10 would be an insult to later Zeldas.… Expand
  23. Hack
    Jun 27, 2020
    5
    Convoluted, confusing and frustrating. Link's Awakening has not aged well for the modern audience. Nothing is explained well to the player, as someone who has never played a Zelda game before I found myself having no idea what to do, or where to go, if it weren't for guides I would never have finished it, and I'm generally not the type of person to need a guide, but Link's Awakening isConvoluted, confusing and frustrating. Link's Awakening has not aged well for the modern audience. Nothing is explained well to the player, as someone who has never played a Zelda game before I found myself having no idea what to do, or where to go, if it weren't for guides I would never have finished it, and I'm generally not the type of person to need a guide, but Link's Awakening is absurdly obscure at times.

    Another major issue the game has is performance. The game uses double buffered VSync, which basically means if it drops any frames it'll plummet from 60fps to 30fps (and then back up), and this happens all the time, which makes for a very choppy experience. I honestly expect better from Nintendo.

    Where the game shines is visuals, it's a gorgeous looking game with a great art style. It's also top-notch in the audio department. The gameplay is also solid, but tarnished by the performance problems. I found all the boss fights very easy apart from the last one, which was a good difficulty without being cheap.

    The game is very short, which was OK for me as I wasn't enjoying it, but it's worth mentioning it's only about 5 hours. I personally rented it and I feel that's the smart thing to do.    … Expand
  24. elandroid
    Feb 2, 2020
    6
    Un gran remake empequeñecido por no aportar nada nuevo más allá de poder jugarlo de nuevo, tampoco es el Zelda que mejor ha envejecido. Estilo gráfico muy característico y marcado pero le falta optimizaciones. Jefes muy fáciles. Recomendable jugar sin mayores expectativas que jugar a un Zelda clásico.
  25. wolfie79
    Nov 16, 2019
    6
    First of all, the first Zelda game I played was Windwaker, so I wasn't much of a gamer when I was a kid. So I'm viewing this game by today's standards. And by those standards, it's not very good. It's enough for a bit of good time, the graphics are awesome and so is the music. But it's very evident the game is really old and just got a reskin, and it goes beyond just the inconvenience ofFirst of all, the first Zelda game I played was Windwaker, so I wasn't much of a gamer when I was a kid. So I'm viewing this game by today's standards. And by those standards, it's not very good. It's enough for a bit of good time, the graphics are awesome and so is the music. But it's very evident the game is really old and just got a reskin, and it goes beyond just the inconvenience of flipping buttons via an inventory. The entire level design is horrible, and it's extremely easy to get lost and simply loose track of what you should do and why. And many of the pussles make no sense. There's no communication or hints of why you should do something. To be honest it felt lazy and dumb, and then a bunch of horrible back trackning through a landscape that makes no sense. The old ways of design also gets worse by the end of the game. At first it was okay, or acceptable, but soon it became a real hassle. But don't worry about the length, that's estimated by people who have played the original and offcourse, if you've already played a game but with worse graphics, offcourse it will take less time the second time through. This will give you at least 10-20 hours of agonizing fun. In the end, I cannot recommend this game. At a third of the price point it would be a "Maybe". Full price, a definite no.… Expand
  26. Neatqt
    Oct 25, 2019
    7
    Cast: 6/10
    Story: 6/10
    Fun: 8/10
    Gameplay: 8/10

    Recommended
    ----------------------
  27. andrew9
    Nov 16, 2021
    5
    bad game .
  28. enriverd
    Dec 5, 2019
    5
    It is an overrated title, whose is score is as high due to the appearence of zelda in the name and because it appeals to the memory of those who played it when they were young. The game has a good looking design, the zelda character is super cute, but when it comes to the gameplay, it is one of those impossible games that existed back in the days of the Spectrum, the Game Boy or the NES.It is an overrated title, whose is score is as high due to the appearence of zelda in the name and because it appeals to the memory of those who played it when they were young. The game has a good looking design, the zelda character is super cute, but when it comes to the gameplay, it is one of those impossible games that existed back in the days of the Spectrum, the Game Boy or the NES. Some of the puzzles are super difficult and often require you to remember a small detail that you saw 15 hours ago in the game (which is probably several days back). It is a non-sense, if you do not want to spend countless hours searching an searching you end up googling the solution, and I do not like those games that require me to dedicate tons of hours to discovers hidden non-logical clues. It is better if you put your money in many of the other super cool titles on switch, including the last Zelda, Breath of the wild. Very few games produce in me that feeling that I want it to be over, and it has generated me that feeling after reaching 50% of the game.… Expand
  29. SomaKurusu
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Cuando se anunció un remake de Link 's Awakening se me subió el hype por este juego, ya que es mi segundo Zelda en 2d favorito, solo por detrás del magnífico A Link to the Past. Es uno de los juegos más decepcionantes del año. Graficos pastelosos para niños de 3 o 4 años, caídas de frames inexplicables para un juego de este tipo. Su banda sonora si es muy buena (lo único) y su dificultadCuando se anunció un remake de Link 's Awakening se me subió el hype por este juego, ya que es mi segundo Zelda en 2d favorito, solo por detrás del magnífico A Link to the Past. Es uno de los juegos más decepcionantes del año. Graficos pastelosos para niños de 3 o 4 años, caídas de frames inexplicables para un juego de este tipo. Su banda sonora si es muy buena (lo único) y su dificultad bastante baja. Mantiene más o menos la misma duración del original, es corto. El editor de mazmorras ni lo utilizarás, debido a que este es bastante cutre y lo peor es que te lo venden al mismo precio de los AAA de novedad, Vamos, que si no quieres llevarte un disgusto, quédate con la imágen del original.… Expand
  30. Meeleepit
    Nov 12, 2019
    6
    So what do i think about this game?

    its not a new age type game where you get an arrow or a map marker that helps you complete the game. This game is old school,you need to work on completing challenges, you need to think outside the box to complete puzzles. you need to figure out what is next without a npc holding your hand This all makes it fun. The art style is not for everyone .    So what do i think about this game?

    its not a new age type game where you get an arrow or a map marker that helps you complete the game. This game is old school,you need to work on completing challenges, you need to think outside the box to complete puzzles. you need to figure out what is next without a npc holding your hand
    This all makes it fun.

    The art style is not for everyone .

    The game is not for everyone. I think this the game was over hyped.

    It is not worth the asking price in my opinion.

    i would say the value of this game would be half the current cost    … Expand
  31. Nakajima
    Oct 26, 2019
    6
    The game could be so much more!
    Instead, the frame drops make it unbearable, destroying the game experience. Even after a month of release, the so needed patch to correct those problems never came making a game that could be an 8 an 6.
    Also, the game should have some new features and a better system adapted to the better controller to change weapons but it clings to the original too much    The game could be so much more!
    Instead, the frame drops make it unbearable, destroying the game experience. Even after a month of release, the so needed patch to correct those problems never came making a game that could be an 8 an 6.
    Also, the game should have some new features and a better system adapted to the better controller to change weapons but it clings to the original too much in this regard giving you only 2 buttons so assign stuff.    … Expand
  32. nobcheese
    Oct 26, 2019
    7
    A good remake,some of the game mechanics feel dated.
    I would have preferred to see a new Zelda game.
  33. TakeMyRupee
    Oct 27, 2019
    5
    Full price not worth it! The only major difference as I remember it is the graphics (and sound) and that the game boy color version didn't stutter as much as this one... This is a very lazy remake.
  34. Dixio
    Jun 22, 2020
    5
    Personalmente y basándome en mi opinión personal no me ha gustado, para mí está sobrevalorado este juego, me lo pasé y lo vendí pues no volvería a re- jugarlo, una pena pero es mi humilde opinión.
  35. Vonyee
    Oct 13, 2021
    5
    YEAH THIS GAME IS AWESOME. AWESOME GAME GOOD STORY I like it very good. nice graphics.
  36. attemptatreason
    Oct 29, 2021
    5
    not a review. a rant. Although not my fav genre, the graphics are extremely charming and everything looks tight and simple. I feel frustrated at many of the puzzles and progression of the game - like the racoon for instance. If you aren't paying attention, you get tp'd to another identical area without the raccoon, and when I refer to walkthroughs some don't mention that this mechanic. Inot a review. a rant. Although not my fav genre, the graphics are extremely charming and everything looks tight and simple. I feel frustrated at many of the puzzles and progression of the game - like the racoon for instance. If you aren't paying attention, you get tp'd to another identical area without the raccoon, and when I refer to walkthroughs some don't mention that this mechanic. I walk around and think I just broke the game leaving me to reload and come back, go back to the village to talk to the girl (is it really more crazy that I didn't talk to someone in the village than it is that I was teleported to an identical area?) and went back to see no raccoon. Restarted from a new game to try to find him and yeah. If a game is expected to be played with a walkthrough, it ain't good. I feel like there were so many things I tried to do to find the raccoon (1 puzzle of many I'm sure) that I want to say the puzzles are unreasonable and unintuitive.… Expand
  37. Sensou
    Jun 20, 2023
    6
    Wonky Game.

    Just start to get into the series of the legend of Zelda and I decide to continue this journey with Link's Awakening which is a port from GBA and to be honest I didn't enjoy my time with it. Well I can't expect much because it's just a remaster not a remake. The game is kind of good but many things that make this game feels off to me. Your adventure is all about exploring    Wonky Game.

    Just start to get into the series of the legend of Zelda and I decide to continue this journey with Link's Awakening which is a port from GBA and to be honest I didn't enjoy my time with it.

    Well I can't expect much because it's just a remaster not a remake. The game is kind of good but many things that make this game feels off to me. Your adventure is all about exploring the dungeon at the core of it. Yes, you can explore koholint but you need the ability from the dungeon to be able freely moving around the world.

    The dungeon is not bad but the design is pretty unforgiving. Probably because I start it with hero mode right away, it feels so punishing. I always have to start at the entrance of the room and repeat every process that needed to take me back to the room where I died previously. The feeling of repetitiveness is building up right there.

    Another thing which is the biggest and the main reason for me not liking this game, there's a bad gene from Luigi Mansion 3 in this game, the game has pretty random enemy design. A lot of trial and error to know how to damage certain enemy which is not a fun time when you are in the dungeon. How do I know that I need to do charge attack on certain enemy? How do I know that I need to use magic powder to defeat that bouncing fire? Or bomb to defeat that fake kirby? The game doesn't tell you any of that and you need to figure it our by yourself.

    Last, for just a remaster, the performance of the game is disappointing. So many FPS drop here and there, especially in Mabe Village. Yes, the very first place that you explore, like what are you doing Nintendo?

    Well, if you enjoy the game then that's good for you but for 60$? This game at most only worth 40$ in my opinion. I even got the game second hand at around 30$ but I still feel it's not worth my money.    … Expand
  38. DolphinReviews
    Jul 20, 2022
    6
    Charming graphics and atmosphere. The gameplay itself is nothing too special but what it does do well is good.
  39. JRice
    Dec 7, 2020
    7
    This is basically a simple graphic overhaul of the GameBoy Color game "Zelda IV dx", and as such, by far the simplest and shortest Zelda game in the whole franchise, and hilariously overpriced!

    It also is, though, an opportunity to play a GameBoy classic, and more beautiful, smooth and intuitive than ever before...
  40. ericiidx
    May 7, 2023
    7
    This was a fun romp, but not one of the better 2D Zelda games (granted, that's a high bar to clear!) My few complaints are ultimately made up for by the wonderful-looking new graphics engine, and I'd love to play another 2D Zelda game like this in the future. The story, dialogue, and presentation are easily the most quirky and lighthearted of all Zelda games, and it's the sense of humorThis was a fun romp, but not one of the better 2D Zelda games (granted, that's a high bar to clear!) My few complaints are ultimately made up for by the wonderful-looking new graphics engine, and I'd love to play another 2D Zelda game like this in the future. The story, dialogue, and presentation are easily the most quirky and lighthearted of all Zelda games, and it's the sense of humor about it all that kept me playing. You'll laugh and cry, and have fun along the way. If I were judging this based on its charm alone, I'd be tempted to call it a must-play.

    The game is dragged down by performance issues (a few seconds of lower frame rate every time you change screens or exit the inventory, which is to say, constantly,) a rather forgettable soundtrack (mostly just renditions of the iconic Zelda theme,) an overall lack of difficulty, a whole lot of time spent backtracking, and some frustrating dungeon design in the later levels.

    Overall, I enjoyed my time with it, but would only recommend it on sale.    … Expand
  41. Andante
    Dec 2, 2022
    7
    A decent Zelda game. Beautiful graphics inspired by old era Zelda games but realised in a modern way. Very nice dungeons that become more challenging as you progress the story. Unfortunately, a lot of unnecessary backtracking and many moments where you have no clue of what to do next, and a world that feels unpolished and sometimes kind of generic.
  42. redmandana
    Apr 29, 2021
    5
    The game looks great. Plays like a link to the past. The problem with this game is that you're going to need a lot of help ( looking up youtube videos) the dungeons are a pain in the ass. They don't tell you what to do at all. a lot of monsters you're going to have to look up how to beat them and what to do. this game should be bought with a strategy guild off the rip. I don't think thisThe game looks great. Plays like a link to the past. The problem with this game is that you're going to need a lot of help ( looking up youtube videos) the dungeons are a pain in the ass. They don't tell you what to do at all. a lot of monsters you're going to have to look up how to beat them and what to do. this game should be bought with a strategy guild off the rip. I don't think this game is friendly for children or casual gamers at all. YOU WILL NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHERE TO GO, GOOD LUCK!!!… Expand
  43. lord_blackghost
    Nov 30, 2020
    7
    Best way to experience how old school zelda games feels. A little game that Modern mechanics keep this game enjoyable . Not bad . But botw raise the bar for zelda franchise so much that any thing lower than that feels not enough .
  44. SailorSonic
    Jun 25, 2020
    7
    Great game, but doesn't feel very modern. Some slowdown throughout the game
  45. emporio2866
    Apr 18, 2020
    7
    Пробуждение Линка, по современным меркам, миленькая, простенькая во всех смыслах игра с устаревшими и неудобными механиками, растянутая, но всё равно не дотягивающая до игр в открытом мире даже категории Б с техническими проблемами, красная цена которой 20-30 баксов.
    Моя оценка - 6,5 из 10… будь я профессиональным критиком, имеющим вес в блогосфере, влияющим на итоговую оценку на    Пробуждение Линка, по современным меркам, миленькая, простенькая во всех смыслах игра с устаревшими и неудобными механиками, растянутая, но всё равно не дотягивающая до игр в открытом мире даже категории Б с техническими проблемами, красная цена которой 20-30 баксов.
    Моя оценка - 6,5 из 10… будь я профессиональным критиком, имеющим вес в блогосфере, влияющим на итоговую оценку на Метакритике, то возможно удостоился бы чести стать объектом травли армии фанатов, строчащих гневные письма с угрозами, взламывающих мои соцсети и желающих меня убить за то, что их нестареющая классика, пропахшая плесенью не попала в топ. Но пока я ноунейм, можно высказываться без риска для здоровья и это хорошо, а то с фанатами Нинтендо связываться точно бы не хотелось, ибо ещё ни разу мне не удавалось что-то им объяснить - меня обрывали на полуслове и начинали вопить, чтобы я завалил рот и валил играть на свою «подставить любую игровую платформу» или просто нах..    … Expand
  46. lazy_vortex
    Jul 6, 2020
    5
    Drop FPS in many locations and boring gameplay. Cannot use D-pad and only sticks. For remake of GB-game it's very uncomfortable.
    This game should be on 3DS and I would tell it's very good. But on Switch it's looking like ****
  47. Volans
    Mar 28, 2020
    5
    This game is a poor attempt at a remake. The controls and mechanics of this game function only most of time when they should work 100% of the time, dungeons are a carbon copy of the originals, and the game struggles to hit 60fps. Jumping is delayed, puzzles are next to impossible to solve due to random enemy placement and enemy spam, this game is actually unfun to play. If you're going toThis game is a poor attempt at a remake. The controls and mechanics of this game function only most of time when they should work 100% of the time, dungeons are a carbon copy of the originals, and the game struggles to hit 60fps. Jumping is delayed, puzzles are next to impossible to solve due to random enemy placement and enemy spam, this game is actually unfun to play. If you're going to pick up Link's Awakening, get the DX version for the Gameboy Color.… Expand
  48. Bcshiguemichi
    Aug 8, 2020
    7
    Nice remake with nice graphics, but the game is complex and it does not its always de same dynamics the entire game.
  49. Alvelian
    Dec 15, 2022
    5
    Забавная графика и ультра унылый геймплей. Нинтендобои совсем одичали раз ставят 10/10 этому проекту. Рекомендуется только оголтелым фанатам нины или зельды.
  50. ShoujoWitch
    Mar 25, 2020
    6
    Decent remake of the original. The original Link's Awakening is a solid 10/10 game that has some technical issues that make it kinda obnoxious to play and I went into the switch remake expecting the same experience with those issues removed. Instead I find a censored game with content removed, and with some technical issues. The remake itself is pretty solid. They even went so far as toDecent remake of the original. The original Link's Awakening is a solid 10/10 game that has some technical issues that make it kinda obnoxious to play and I went into the switch remake expecting the same experience with those issues removed. Instead I find a censored game with content removed, and with some technical issues. The remake itself is pretty solid. They even went so far as to have exact copies of the tile placement. In that regard the remake gets a 10/10. However, the continued censoring, and cutting the photograph sequences really makes it hard to recommend this as the definitive version. The remake adds dampe and his dungeons, which are okay but not super great as you can't share online or download what other people have created, and the creative options are quite limited. Though I like the idea. The game actively lags at parts as well, and some of the ways the remake updates content is.... a bit lazy (using a literal peach render from elsewhere, instead of a handdrawn photograph, for instance). Fans of the old game won't find the definitive copy here, but it's certainly serviceable and the graphics and music are both excellent. Newcomers to the game will be missing certain content that's found in older copies, but should otherwise have a good time. As far as remakes go, it's not ideal but it works. I always hope for remakes to be definitive copies, but that really can't be the case here due to the cut content. Definitely a good time and worth picking up if you're struggling to find games for the switch.… Expand
  51. DrThunder
    Apr 28, 2020
    7
    The game is beautifully well done story is great and just an amazing switch game that's enjoyable to play for hours
  52. alan2pc
    Jan 24, 2021
    6
    This game is overrated. Buy this game if you like:

    1. Making sure you talk to an owl in every dungeon room. Oh, he didn’t say anything? That’s because you have to find his beak first and retrace your steps. 2. Retracing your steps. Not just for owls, but for well, everything. Want to get to that heart you can’t get to, want to get in that boss room. You don’t have the item you    This game is overrated. Buy this game if you like:

    1. Making sure you talk to an owl in every dungeon room. Oh, he didn’t say anything? That’s because you have to find his beak first and retrace your steps.
    2. Retracing your steps. Not just for owls, but for well, everything. Want to get to that heart you can’t get to, want to get in that boss room. You don’t have the item you need yet.
    3. Treating enemies as if they don’t exist because you have 15 hearts, they do half a heart damage and often leave a full heart when you do decide to kill them.
    4 Short and simple boss battles.
    5. Figuring out where is the key you’re missing in the internet. Or maybe it’s not a key, you didn’t notice there was a spot to use the hookshot, or who knows. Did you talk to every owl?
    6. Remembering hints/directions that were told to you in the game last week.
    7. NOT HAVING A DEDICATED JUMP BUTTON!!! Every time you walk up to a pit, make sure you go back into the menu and have that feather equipped.
    8. Jumping down from a ledge to realize you want to go back up and that’s a long journey.
    9. Talking to townfolk. 10. Playing on those crane machines where you stick in the quarter and it picks up and drops a stuffed animal back where it picked it up from.

    Sounds fun, right?    … Expand
  53. BurtKocain
    Jan 21, 2021
    7
    Despite a gorgeous and adorable remolding for one of Nintendo's more overlooked classics, it's hard to compare this remake to 1998's Link's Awakening DX without the feeling that Nintendo really phoned it in. Whether it's the tacked-on Chamber Dungeon gimmick or the startlingly poor optimization for a first-party release, there's a prevalent vibe that the Link's Awakening remake was aboveDespite a gorgeous and adorable remolding for one of Nintendo's more overlooked classics, it's hard to compare this remake to 1998's Link's Awakening DX without the feeling that Nintendo really phoned it in. Whether it's the tacked-on Chamber Dungeon gimmick or the startlingly poor optimization for a first-party release, there's a prevalent vibe that the Link's Awakening remake was above all else a means of filling a gap in Nintendo's fiscal year between major releases. Although there are welcome quality-of-life improvements (for example, you'll spend much less time swapped tools in the menu), this is also the kind of game Nintendo and Grezzo could hammer out in their sleep. For those who have never experienced the original, the Switch remake is absolutely worth a look. But for the die-hard fans of the old-school Link's Awakening, your mileage may vary.… Expand
  54. JAG7
    Jun 18, 2022
    7
    This is a good game. It has the quality of any Zelda game: great story, cute graphics and amazing music, lots of great characters, big world and exploring. I gave this rating because of some aspects I experienced on my playthrough :
    -The game is unclear on how to kill some bosses . It’s Trial and error.
    -Some dungeons’ designs are very confusing (specially the last one). Hit invisible    This is a good game. It has the quality of any Zelda game: great story, cute graphics and amazing music, lots of great characters, big world and exploring. I gave this rating because of some aspects I experienced on my playthrough :
    -The game is unclear on how to kill some bosses . It’s Trial and error.
    -Some dungeons’ designs are very confusing (specially the last one). Hit invisible walls.
    -Some Puzzles are obtuse and confusing
    -Sometimes is very confusing what to do or where to go next. Even with the hints.
    -Control/button scheme is not the best. -Awkward controls, Jumping with Y and attacking with B button is not a standard scheme. You end up mixing actions. -Platforming is awkward, specially jumps.
    -Not a hint or tutorial on what to do with the hookshot or with the new abilities. Trial and error. -Lots of backtracking , sometimes tedious.
    -Jumps are clumsy at best.
    -Have a guide/walkthrough on hand: some of the puzzles and hidden areas (which are essential to continue) are very confusing and unclear. You can’t see some hidden cracked walls.
    -There is some Frame drops, nothing that will kill the game. No crashes at all . Quick restarts. Overall is a good game beside all of this. If you’re a Zelda fan it is a warrantied fun. But is not worth $50 definitely.    … Expand
  55. nibolet
    Apr 28, 2021
    7
    The game is cute and the gameplay is straightforward. I find the wandering monsters to be somewhat boring and too easy to kill. It’s also annoying that the grass and rocks keep respawning even though you’ve just got rid of them. In the end, it’s a classic Zelda - worth getting it if you’re a fan.
  56. ironfoam
    Nov 17, 2022
    7
    Great game with fun puzzles. Some frustration along the way because a few times, I found it difficult to know how to procede. But a fun experience all in all.
  57. Uncle_Beth
    Apr 18, 2022
    7
    This was a good game through and through. It felt like a faithful remake which took several creative liberties to improve upon the original. I would have given it an 8, but the claymation graphics really detracted from the experience for me. I know this is completely subjective, but the toy like aesthetic of the game made me feel more like I was playing with a figurine of link instead ofThis was a good game through and through. It felt like a faithful remake which took several creative liberties to improve upon the original. I would have given it an 8, but the claymation graphics really detracted from the experience for me. I know this is completely subjective, but the toy like aesthetic of the game made me feel more like I was playing with a figurine of link instead of as link. One of my favourite aspects of TLOZ games is how alive the worlds feel and how immersive the experience can be which I feel this game is sorely lacking. I know it was intentional, but the game felt a little too cookie cutter and bereft of "personality". Although I enjoyed the experience, in the end this game just feels like one of the most forgettable in the TLOZ series.… Expand
  58. Crimson9
    Dec 26, 2022
    7
    Wow! I didn't think a Zelda game could surprise me with its story but Links Awakening does! Its story is charming, sad, mysterious, and has a fantastic ending. The gameplay is similar to most 2D Zeldas, and I'd argue it doesnt innovate nearly as much as most other 2D Zeldas. The map and level design are solid, although the puzzles dont seem to be quite as engaging as I'm used to fromWow! I didn't think a Zelda game could surprise me with its story but Links Awakening does! Its story is charming, sad, mysterious, and has a fantastic ending. The gameplay is similar to most 2D Zeldas, and I'd argue it doesnt innovate nearly as much as most other 2D Zeldas. The map and level design are solid, although the puzzles dont seem to be quite as engaging as I'm used to from Zelda.

    As a remake, I really love the new graphics and fluidity, but I think they could have made more changes.    … Expand
  59. Sterrewiggelary
    Nov 12, 2022
    7
    A great example of how nostalgia makes things seem better than they work. And beautifully remake of a great Zelda game that unfortunately hasn't aged all that well.
  60. vasilias21
    Nov 13, 2022
    6
    This game can't be fulfilled without YouTube walkthrough.I really can't understand all that good critics.Zelda marketing I guess...
  61. Velocity89
    Nov 14, 2022
    7
    Never played the originals but from what I’ve heard I don’t have to as this is a proper remake that respects the original games. Link’s awakening is everything you want and need in an handheld Zelda game. It’s a fun little game that might not reach the level as some of the great Zelda games, but it’s most definitely worth a play.
  62. Elwoodwrap
    Dec 15, 2022
    5
    Amazing game! I did not play the original, so this was all new to me. All the puzzles were fun and the game play was great. Will be playing again.
  63. gietergeit
    May 15, 2023
    7
    i love the great graphics and the game play is fun but i really and then i mean really hate the dungeons.
  64. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    7
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Apr 29, 2020
    95
    I can only hope that its sales success will lead to a patch that fixes the framerate dips, and more importantly, the development of more Zelda games in this style. [Issue #43 – November/December 2019, p. 10SH]
  2. Gamers Heroes
    Jan 2, 2020
    85
    If you need a nostalgia trip or haven’t played Link’s Awakening before, then you won’t be disappointed with this release. Just note that it is a bit more bite-sized when compared to more recent entries in the series.
    Read full review
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Dec 6, 2019
    86
    Awakening’s world is much smaller than Breath of the Wild’s Hyrule. But within the island’s depths lies something that was missing from the last game – eight difficult, multi-layered dungeons, each with its own theme, traps and puzzles. [Issue#241, p.66]
See all critic reviews »