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. Alarchou
    Sep 5, 2023
    9
    peut être mon zelda préféré tellement il est génial, un parfait remake. 18/20
  2. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    7
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!!!!
  3. J_R
    Aug 28, 2023
    9
    9.0/10

    Not much needs to be said about Zelda: Link’s Awakening. It’s a traditional Zelda experience with a healthy dose of quirkiness and a charming art style. It has satisfying puzzles and progression. Exploration and curiosity is constantly rewarded. It’s also got beautiful, classic Zelda music and sounds. It was originally a Gameboy game but this kind of makes it even more    9.0/10

    Not much needs to be said about Zelda: Link’s Awakening. It’s a traditional Zelda experience with a healthy dose of quirkiness and a charming art style. It has satisfying puzzles and progression. Exploration and curiosity is constantly rewarded. It’s also got beautiful, classic Zelda music and sounds. It was originally a Gameboy game but this kind of makes it even more impressive. They did a great job with this remake. It looks modern and has modern conveniences but feels and plays old school.

    Maybe the price point is about $10 too much. There are some minor technical/performance issues. Also working out what to do or where to go can at times lean towards being a little too obtuse, especially if you gave this to a younger gamer. But it is mostly just a great time.

    Zelda: Link’s Awakening is an easy recommendation. It is a must play for every Zelda fan and is a great entry point for newcomers.

    9.0/10    … Expand
  4. Massraider
    Aug 27, 2023
    8
    An interesting puzzle. At first, the vignette was a little annoying, but then I got used to it. Some points are quite complex and not obvious hints.
  5. shadownk
    Jul 16, 2023
    8
    Great game design. Hard to believe the game was originally made 30 years ago, but I wish this remade would give us some additional tips so we don't have to spend so much time backtracking.
  6. JusticeTotK
    Jul 16, 2023
    9
    Um excelente remake que foi feito com extremo carinho sem perder a essência. Espero que em algum momento os Oracles também tenham esse mesmo tratamento.
  7. PrincessE
    Jul 14, 2023
    10
    Esse é um jogo muito bonito e bem feito mantendo a essência do original. Espero que em algum momento os Oracles tenham esse mesmo tratamento e possamos jogar eles novamente nessa nova geração.
  8. Dragmire
    Jul 13, 2023
    10
    Esse jogo é lindo, muito bem feito sem perder o tom do original e mantendo a nostalgia. Realmente um título indispensável.
  9. 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
  10. WilliamKingdom
    Jul 12, 2023
    10
    Espero que um dia possamos jogar os Oracles nessa mesma remodelagem, pois aqui temos um belo e nostálgico game para as gerações.
  11. Mistyman6
    Jun 20, 2023
    8
    A really good game, but incredibly cryptic when you want to advance through the story or beat bosses. Say at the beginning of the game, for example, where I spent over 2 hours trying to find out how to get rid of the raccoon in the forest, or the bosses, like f_c_de in the fa_e s_ri_e, master stalfos in cat__shes m_w (MINIBOSS), the armos knight in those ruins, etc. I love this game but atA really good game, but incredibly cryptic when you want to advance through the story or beat bosses. Say at the beginning of the game, for example, where I spent over 2 hours trying to find out how to get rid of the raccoon in the forest, or the bosses, like f_c_de in the fa_e s_ri_e, master stalfos in cat__shes m_w (MINIBOSS), the armos knight in those ruins, etc. I love this game but at times it can be frustrating and a little difficult. I recommend you buy this game if you have a decent temper, if you do you have a huge and memorable adventure ahead of you. ALSO, SORRY FOR THE UNDERSCORES, I DONT WANT TO SPOIL ANY BOSSES OR DUNGEONS… Expand
  12. SebboBastian
    Jun 20, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the original game is one of my favourite zelda games. So refreshing to be in a world far away from ganondorf and the classic quite boring story thats reused game after game. So this could not be anything then a top ten game!… Expand
  13. 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
  14. Alvaro311
    Jun 17, 2023
    8
    Uno de los juegos con mejor diseño que he visto y un gran remake/remaster. Para hacerla corta es un juego que cumple perfectamente con la esencia de su versión original y le agrega un aire emocionante, las únicas cosas malas que puedo destacar son el precio y los problemas de bajones de fps que si se sienten bastante.
  15. tensioly
    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 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 fantásticosThe 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
  16. RDonnell
    Jun 5, 2023
    1
    Nintendo seem to be unable to fix the slowdowns and for the price its a big joke to see stutter
  17. SlayerKarma
    May 11, 2023
    10
    Amazing adaptation of the strangest experiment that the og Gameboy saw. Graphics does improve the experience and the music is simply amazing.
  18. Clubgamers
    May 22, 2023
    10
    hermoso video juego para nostalgicos de su versión original en game boy, muy interesante que hagan este tipo de remakes.
  19. Daniel_Lourenco
    May 21, 2023
    9
    Gostei bastante do jogo e do seu estilo próprio a lembrar o seu original. Mais uma vez, um trabalho fantástico da Nintendo a remasterizar jogos da nossa infância.
    Recomendo.
  20. 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.
  21. vkasra
    May 15, 2023
    9
    A great remake of a tight, focused, and polished game. Weird and engaging story. Advancing and traversal are a little obtuse at times, but that's part of the charm. Respectful of those on a narrow time budget: I spent ~15 hours for the full story and sidequests.
  22. proJRgamer
    May 9, 2023
    10
    Un gran trabajo por parte de Nintendo trayendo esta joya de videojuego. Desde el primer momento que empecé a jugarlo me vinieron a la mente grandes momentos de la saga. Su banda sonora... que decir, espectacular.
    Super recomendable si eres fan de Zelda
  23. 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
  24. JJtheTexan
    May 2, 2023
    8
    The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX for Game Boy Color is one of my very favorite games, so I should have been much more excited when this HD remake was announced. Instead, my feelings were tempered by the "plastic toy" art direction. At any rate, I picked up and played this game on release day... and finished it in one session, of roughly ten hours.

    I have played the GBC version    The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX for Game Boy Color is one of my very favorite games, so I should have been much more excited when this HD remake was announced. Instead, my feelings were tempered by the "plastic toy" art direction. At any rate, I picked up and played this game on release day... and finished it in one session, of roughly ten hours.

    I have played the GBC version many times, so I had no difficulty finding my way through the remake. I like it, and it's very charming, but I can't see myself picking it up again. I guess I have just too much nostalgia for the simpler 8-bit graphics and music.

    Positives:
    - Extremely faithful to the Game Boy and Game Boy Color versions
    - Outstanding soundtrack
    - Wonderful story and memorable characters
    - Great sense of humor; never takes itself too seriously
    - Perfect Zelda game for introducing new players to the series

    Negatives:
    - The art style is not my cup of tea
    - Maybe *too* faithful to the originals; not much new content here
    - The newly-added "dungeon maker" is not very interesting
    - Not very challenging, especially for veteran Zelda fans

    Recommended for:
    - Legend of Zelda fans
    - Anyone interested in trying the Zelda series for the first time

    You might enjoy this if you also liked:
    - Any top-down 2D game in the Legend of Zelda series
    - Tunic
    - Crystalis    … Expand
  25. azathoth_91
    Apr 23, 2023
    8
    Quick review: "Middle Ligue" of Zelda series, but still high quality. 20 hours of fun and relax
  26. salsadance0
    Apr 19, 2023
    0
    Stupidest game i ever seen. there have puzzles for 5 years kid but they are long af and literally u can do 100% achivements in yakuza 3 while solving this stupid puzzles.
  27. Luigidefuego
    Apr 8, 2023
    9
    Link's Awakening fue el primer The Legend of Zelda portátil, pero también fue primero en otras cosas, marcando un importante punto de transición en la saga. Su remake para Switch es muy fiel, básicamente es el mismo juego con el apartado gráfico renovado, lo que indica lo bien que ha envejecido, porque no es un remake del que se echen en falta más actualizaciones: el juego es impecable talLink's Awakening fue el primer The Legend of Zelda portátil, pero también fue primero en otras cosas, marcando un importante punto de transición en la saga. Su remake para Switch es muy fiel, básicamente es el mismo juego con el apartado gráfico renovado, lo que indica lo bien que ha envejecido, porque no es un remake del que se echen en falta más actualizaciones: el juego es impecable tal cuál es. Sólo tiene alguna actualización de calidad de vida y como principal novedad un editor de mazmorras sin mucho impacto pero que, quién sabe, quizá anticipe un futuro "Zelda Maker".

    Para comprender este juego es conveniente conocer su desarrollo; Link's Awakening es un juego que empezó a gestarse en el tiempo libre de varios desarrolladores, y esto trajo consigo una libertad creativa que llegaría a palparse en el producto final. Para bien o para mal, porque es notorio como se introdujeron sin prejuicios elementos en el juego, sin atarse a la coherencia, destacando la inclusión de referencias al mundo de Nintendo, con personajes y enemigos inspirados en otras sagas de la compañía. Y es que de manera insólita este juego tiene un cierto tono de surrealismo. Tal es así que David Lynch y su serie Twin Peaks, en emisión durante el desarrollo del juego, influyó en el mundo del juego, que por primera vez no se desarrolla en el reino de Hyrule, ni tampoco están Ganon, la Trifuerza y ni siquiera la princesa Zelda, iniciando de esta manera también los The Legend of Zelda diferentes, y diría que también los Zelda extraños, generalmente más oscuros. Este estilo más delirante incorpora también un cierto tono humorístico, algo que veríamos alguna que otra vez en algún que otro Zelda, pero también es precursor en la saga de un aire más melancólico y triste, lo que sería inspiración para el tono de Ocarina of Time, juego que tomaría diversos elementos de Link's Awakening como la pesca.

    Hay que señalar una cuestión, ya que a diferencia de otras sagas de Nintendo, tendríamos una entrega en Super Nintendo antes que en Game Boy. A Link to the Past de Super Nintendo fue el juego que redefinió la saga y Link's Awakening fue una secuela directa (este Link es el mismo de A Link to the Past). Quizá por ello pese a las limitaciones de la portátil se consiguió implementar perfectamente la esencia de un Zelda y, de hecho, en la promoción del juego se remarcó su duración para indicar que la duración de las pilas de Game Boy permitía jugar a un juego de este tipo, con lo cual a diferencia de otras portátiles coetáneas pudo tener un nutrido catálogo de RPGs.

    Cuando se comenta cuál es el mejor Zelda 2D, el primer nombre que surge es el de A Link to the Past pero, también, discutido con este juego, para muchos el mejor Zelda 2D es este Link's Awakening, un gran peso que dejó sobre las posteriores entregas portátiles que, eso sí, en la excelencia de la saga pudieron estar a la altura. Este remake apostó, quizá con cierto riesgo, por una estética chibi, que realmente es fiel al diseño artístico del juego de Game Boy, pero con cierto estilo como de plastilina o de maqueta, logrando un preciosista apartado visual que es una gozada. Mención ineludible a los arreglos para el remake de la banda sonora, un trabajo espectacular que capta todo el encanto de las composiciones originales, una banda sonora llena de magia, aire ensoñador, la melancolía de este juego y un juguetón aire de aventura.

    El resto de aspectos del juego están al sobresaliente nivel habitual de casi todos los Zelda, desde un mundo tan encantador como lleno de misterios hasta, por supuesto, un memorable diseño de mazmorras. Link's Awakening, manteniendo los elementos de A Link to the Past que hacen de éste un puro Zelda, fue también un Zelda diferente, extraño, divertido pero melancólico, que fue una relevante evolución argumental y de ideas en la saga que se consolidarían en Ocarina of Time y, hoy por hoy, con un fiel remake, se mantiene como una obra maestra de los juegos de rol y aventuras.    … Expand
  28. Rodrigolpo
    Apr 2, 2023
    3
    It could be a good gaming, but the last boss basically ruin the whole experience.
  29. weskergamer
    Mar 30, 2023
    9
    This is an amazing experience that makes you believe that you actually are in a dream like in the story thanks to the art style, the music, the enemies and the dungeons. I never played the original game in Game Boy, so it was great for Nintendo to remake it this way
  30. WiN7Z
    Mar 4, 2023
    2
    Très sympas avant les deux derniers donjons qui sont des purges et qui gâche toute l'expérience. Jouabilité médiocre.
    Il vaut 20eu max
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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 »