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. SumTxDude
    Oct 31, 2021
    8
    A truly fine example of a remake done right with extra care an attention in every aspect. Follows and stays true to the original in every way adding a carefully applied amount of polish to every detail. Amazing gameplay throughout. My only complaint is you often not having enough direction in what your to do next or what direction your expected to go. Every dungeons puzzles fun andA truly fine example of a remake done right with extra care an attention in every aspect. Follows and stays true to the original in every way adding a carefully applied amount of polish to every detail. Amazing gameplay throughout. My only complaint is you often not having enough direction in what your to do next or what direction your expected to go. Every dungeons puzzles fun and satisfying but the last few overly tedious with backtracking and finding your way. The content is very good and enjoyable without the need for confusing it with a constant lack of direction on what and where to go next. The graphics and effects are awesome and the sounds and music spot on the mark. A really fine and historically popular game that should be played by all. Don't let my small criticism deture you from a purchase and play just be prepared to exercise some patients and plenty of time. I really would've liked to rate this around 8.7/8.8 which is about where it sets on metacritic now. Unfortunately 8 or 9 are the only options and I don't feel I can quite reach to 9. A beautiful update to a true classic.. Enjoy!

    .    … Expand
  2. nochianand
    Feb 10, 2020
    8
    This game is the perfect example of a remake. It updates the graphics and tweaks some gameplay elements. Unfortunately, this game does show its age. The dungeons, while they are fun, they are just a bit too easy and simple. Don't get me wrong, I love this game. But with such a simple game in this day and age, it's hard to justify a higher score.
  3. Vlad013
    May 13, 2022
    10
    Amazing game, artwork, puzzles, story combat. One of the best games I've played on switch.
  4. 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.
  5. Liam247
    May 5, 2020
    9
    The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a faithful remake of the GameBoy classic, and has all the fun and charm of the original and more.
  6. GabFire
    Aug 9, 2020
    8
    O jogo é bom, mas eu realmente esperava algo melhor do que vi, porém deu para se divertir, recomendo para quem está chegando no Switch agora.
  7. prettykitty100
    Jan 27, 2020
    9
    This is a remake of a classic 2D Zelda game. It's terrific. If you are a Zelda fan, you will love this game. If you have never played a Zelda game, this would be a good introduction to top-down Zeldas and a cool new way to experience a classic that you might have otherwise overlooked. My only complaint is that sometimes there are framerate stutters.
  8. Kacak321
    May 31, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. ........ Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmnnmmmm................ ............… Expand
  9. f1o_o1f
    Jan 6, 2021
    8
    I liked DX better (would've given that one a 10 if I could) but this is a solid Remake

    Pros: - probably the best looking game on Switch - many quality of life improvements compared to DX - great sondtrack - short game but the memories will stay - nice collectibles Cons: - a little too easy on default difficulty (Hero mode is accessible from the start though) - performance    I liked DX better (would've given that one a 10 if I could) but this is a solid Remake

    Pros:
    - probably the best looking game on Switch
    - many quality of life improvements compared to DX
    - great sondtrack
    - short game but the memories will stay
    - nice collectibles

    Cons:
    - a little too easy on default difficulty (Hero mode is accessible from the start though)
    - performance issues (Switch is 5 years behind with technology)
    - 8-directional movement -> you CANNOT play with the D-pad
    - not worth the full price, maye 25-30 bucks

    Play it if you can get it on discount. Otherwise, get DX on 3DS for 5,99. Despite it being a Gameboy Color game, it will always be a timeless gem to me and is worth every penny twice.    … Expand
  10. LiquidRevolver
    Feb 4, 2020
    8
    Well done remake of the 93 links awakening. The only problem I have with the game is the frame rate drops that happen quite often. When you're in the dungeons it's not as bad, but when you're in the open world it can be very annoying. Aside from that it feels nostalgic of the old Zelda Gameboy games and has a great dungeon builder if you are into that.
  11. 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.
  12. NgocThien
    Sep 3, 2020
    9
    So adorable, love to play this. The sound, the adventure, the design of game, all are so good to enjoy
  13. Noah4Life
    Jul 13, 2023
    8
    The gameplay of this game is honestly SO much better than on Game Boy, the idea of going back and forth between items works so much better on Switch, but I wish they used more buttons than they actually do, ZR and R do the same thing as an example, but it's way better than the original. However, the animations weren't really updated as well as I would hope Link's turning, and some of theThe gameplay of this game is honestly SO much better than on Game Boy, the idea of going back and forth between items works so much better on Switch, but I wish they used more buttons than they actually do, ZR and R do the same thing as an example, but it's way better than the original. However, the animations weren't really updated as well as I would hope Link's turning, and some of the weapon animations make this feel more like a GBC game than a Switch game

    Color-wise though... this game is gorgeous everything pops and the 2 or 3 cutscenes in the game are AMAZING, I also appreciate that the frame rate is "mostly" stable which is good, and hearts/rupees come at a fair enough rate in the game, be prepared for the normal lawn mowing in Zelda games

    Finally, the puzzles are pretty good, but definitely feel outdated, some of these puzzles involve a lot of backtracking and a lot of sorta cryptic stuff, especially in levels 3 and 7, I like the camera angles, and some of the puzzles are super clever, but others annoy me tbh

    So yeah I think 8/10 is fair, the gameplay is good, the colors are great, and the puzzles feel like the early 90s again, I like the Remake it could've been better, but also could've been worse    … Expand
  14. spencerplewe
    Oct 23, 2021
    8
    A cute and friendly remake of the small Gameboy classic that still sings with its classic Zelda gameplay and bizarre story setup, but not worth full price.
  15. Simoss13
    Jul 17, 2020
    9
    Talk about cute and charming. If you are introducing your kids to the Zelda franchise, this is a great starting point.
    I also had fun with this game. The world, although seems a little cramped in today's standards was a character within itself.
    Story was original and Mirin was someone you grow fond of you do not dwell that a Zelda game is missing, well, Zelda. Working out the end with    Talk about cute and charming. If you are introducing your kids to the Zelda franchise, this is a great starting point.
    I also had fun with this game. The world, although seems a little cramped in today's standards was a character within itself.
    Story was original and Mirin was someone you grow fond of you do not dwell that a Zelda game is missing, well, Zelda.
    Working out the end with the Windfish was quite cryptic and only by accident I found the bonus dudgeon. At the end the dudgeon's were long and exhausting and would prefer a dozen smaller dudgeon's. I understand this is a remake and cannot stray from the original formula.    … Expand
  16. 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
  17. Serquince
    Apr 12, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Never played the original game, but this new version blows your mind. Full color and cute… Expand
  18. littlestfinch
    May 7, 2020
    8
    I never played the original Link's Awakening, but have enjoyed several of the newer LoZ titles (BotW, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, Skyword Sword, Wind Waker & Phantom Hourglass) and I felt like this game fit right in with these beautiful titles. I'm sort of glad I didn't play the original because people seem to be bitter and letting nostalgia get in the way of enjoying this asI never played the original Link's Awakening, but have enjoyed several of the newer LoZ titles (BotW, Twilight Princess, A Link to the Past, Skyword Sword, Wind Waker & Phantom Hourglass) and I felt like this game fit right in with these beautiful titles. I'm sort of glad I didn't play the original because people seem to be bitter and letting nostalgia get in the way of enjoying this as it's own entity. I will note like others have mentioned that this game is quite short, which does suck with the price tag for this title, but that might be my largest complaint.

    I absolutely adored the graphics for this game. They fully delighted me. They have almost a "plastic" quality to them, but in a way that makes it feel like a physical toy that's moving around within a tiny toy world on your screen. The characters and creatures were absolutely charming in design. I had no issues with framerates when playing, but I did play most of this game handheld.

    The gameplay was fun! Yes, things are a little slow until you start unlocking abilities, but that makes sense to me in the scheme of the game. It makes unlocking new abilities satisfying. Some of the puzzles are a bit difficult and I did have to visit some guides but I personally kind of enjoy that! The boss battles were almost all super fun!

    Most of all I enjoyed the story. It was charming and delightful. The end left me smiling and that's awesome.

    My other main issue aside from the price tag is that I don't really have a draw to go back and sink more time into it now that it's over and that's kind of a shame.

    Overall I would definitely recommend this game. Especially if you can catch it on sale.    … Expand
  19. NoxInTheMatrix
    Apr 28, 2020
    10
    Compared to the ultra HD crazy graphic, intricate story blablabla of games today maybe this title aint much. But the games i love have a certain feel to them. They capture a moment in time. And i will always remember my time with this game.
  20. 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
  21. PAL18
    Mar 28, 2021
    10
    Blew my expectations out of the water. Link's Awakening was one of my favorites growing up. The new art style looks incredible! Brilliant take on a classic.
  22. bancandrei
    May 13, 2020
    9
    A simple, yet special story. A very good balance of everything that makes the Zelda series great. Lots of things to do in the overworld, good dungeons and great progression/ gradual opening up of the world. The only thing missing in this game is the replay value.
    My review is actually for the original black and white gameboy version, but since Nintendo remade it 2 times, they probably    A simple, yet special story. A very good balance of everything that makes the Zelda series great. Lots of things to do in the overworld, good dungeons and great progression/ gradual opening up of the world. The only thing missing in this game is the replay value.
    My review is actually for the original black and white gameboy version, but since Nintendo remade it 2 times, they probably noticed it was special too.    … Expand
  23. Nier_Re
    May 20, 2020
    8
    Good game, the art style really unique and likeable. It's simple game but fun, with loveable characters and good story.
  24. CrispCicada
    May 25, 2020
    9
    I absolutely love the classic LInk's Awakening. My parents never really got me a DS, but we did have a Gameboy. We had quite a few games on the system, but none were as good as this stellar The Legend of Zelda title. This remake is awesome, but I do have a few minor complaints about it. Let's get to the good stuff first. The presentation is gorgeous, and the art style looks awesome. II absolutely love the classic LInk's Awakening. My parents never really got me a DS, but we did have a Gameboy. We had quite a few games on the system, but none were as good as this stellar The Legend of Zelda title. This remake is awesome, but I do have a few minor complaints about it. Let's get to the good stuff first. The presentation is gorgeous, and the art style looks awesome. I love the plasticky, childlike art style gives me really good vibes. One complaint I have is how the parts mesh together. A graveyard right next to a forest next to a volcano next to a cactus next to a fat walrus does not look the greatest. This game's gameplay is great, and there are hardly any bugs to be found in this. My largest complaint about this game is the price tag. This game is only like 15 hours total, and the game is 60 bucks. I could get Super Mario Maker 2, a game with infinite content, for the same price. In conclusion, this is an amazing game, but I'd wait for a bit of a sale. Have a great day/night, folks!… Expand
  25. hileger
    Jan 19, 2023
    8
    Тупо топ Тупо топ Тупо топ Тупо топ Тупо топ Тупо топ Тупо топ Тупо топ Тупо топ
  26. lalahand
    Mar 7, 2021
    8
    Graphic is cute. Would be a great game at $30. And some puzzle may be too difficult.
  27. Raluardo
    Jun 4, 2021
    4
    Not worth it, while the aesthetic was very charming the difficulty and duration was very poor
  28. INU4SH4
    Jun 29, 2020
    8
    As I haven't played the original game, I won't be comparing both versions.

    Link's Awakening was a very fun 2D LoZ adventure. It has a very cutesy aura and gives a feeling of nostalgia. While gameplay feels like playing a classic, the controls are smooth. In terms of story, it certainly does not deliver the 'greatest' or most 'epic' Link's adventure. It simply puts Link on an island and    As I haven't played the original game, I won't be comparing both versions.

    Link's Awakening was a very fun 2D LoZ adventure. It has a very cutesy aura and gives a feeling of nostalgia. While gameplay feels like playing a classic, the controls are smooth. In terms of story, it certainly does not deliver the 'greatest' or most 'epic' Link's adventure. It simply puts Link on an island and your objective is to get out. Along the way, you even ask if this island really exists or is just a dream so it's simple but a bit complex at the same time. Not an epic story, but it's fitting.

    I have just 2 main complaints about this entry. The first being the absence of Princess Zelda. She's my favorite character in the series and a LoZ game never feels complete to me without her. But I understand why she has no place here. I'm not a fan-boy to look at that as a flaw. The second and last issue is the framerate. I'm generally someone who tends to avoid talking about minor technical problems but the Switch is a great system and I rarely find fps problems while playing it. It feels odd that a first-party Nintendo title has such a problem.

    Overall, this remake is a success. It keeps a nostalgic feel but the visual improvements make it feel extremely fresh. There are people who complain about the game being too short, but this lasted me around 15 hours and then there's also some additional content and even a hard mode to experience. I'd say it has more than enough content to justify its price.    … Expand
  29. ProGamer4K
    Jun 21, 2020
    8
    Juego recomendadísimo que forma parte de la historia de la franquicia Zelda. Creado originalmente para Game Boy tras la iniciativa personal de un grupo creativo de Nintendo, recoge una de las historias más oscuras de la saga.
    El remake cuenta con unas carencias gráficas inexplicables que no arruinan el resultado final del juego, pero entorpecen su experiencia.
    Gráficos: 8. Música: 9.    Juego recomendadísimo que forma parte de la historia de la franquicia Zelda. Creado originalmente para Game Boy tras la iniciativa personal de un grupo creativo de Nintendo, recoge una de las historias más oscuras de la saga.
    El remake cuenta con unas carencias gráficas inexplicables que no arruinan el resultado final del juego, pero entorpecen su experiencia.
    Gráficos: 8. Música: 9. Jugabilidad: 10. Duración: 7.    … Expand
  30. Sb068
    Jul 20, 2020
    8
    Grezzo and Nintendo have made a great job remaking this game from the ground up. Beautiful art style and improved a lot of the originals problems
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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 »