The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
Platforms: GBC, 3DS(VC)
Players: 1
Original Release Date(s): Original; Aug 1993(US), Nov 18 1993(EU), Jun 6 1993(JP) DX; Dec 1998(US), Jan 1999(EU), Dec 12 1998(JP)
Link's Awakening is the fourth instalment of the Zelda series and the first to be released on a handheld. It was originally released in 1993 for the Game Boy and later re-released in 1998/1999 for the Game Boy Color. This was the first Zelda game that didn't take place in the land of Hyrule, it was also the first not to feature Princess Zelda (she is mentioned a few times though). The story takes place on Koholint Island where Link finds himself stranded and must find 8 musical instruments to wakeup the guardian of the island, the Wind Fish, to escape.
Link's Awakening has the same sort of structure as most of the other games in the series, you start off with nothing but the clothes on your back and slowly build up your inventory as you progress through the main story.
Presentation
The games start menu is simple and easy to navigate. You have three save files, an erase option and a copy option. With so few options to distract you, you can get into the game straight away.
The in-game menu follows the same structure, simple and easy to navigate. The items menu is a single screen split in 2. On the left is all the usable items that you have collected and, unlike the console Zelda games, you can arrange them in any order you wish. The right-hand side shows the number of collectables you have like the seashells, the current trade item and the instruments you've got from the dungeons. By holding Select a small screen comes up showing you the tunic you currently have, the number of heart pieces you need for an extra heart and the number of pictures you've collected.
The main map is also on a single screen and is blank at the start of the game. However as you explore more of the island the map starts to fill in. You can move the cursor to any of the areas that you've been to and get a small description by pressing the A button. You can also re-read the owl's messages by clicking on the area he talked to you in (always a handy thing).
In short the game is very well presented with easy to use menus which are clear and organised.
Graphics
Like most Nintendo games Link's Awakening is bright and colourful. The only difference graphics wise between the original Game Boy version and this one is that DX is in colour. Even though the GBC can't display many different colours at once it still adds something to the game. The game world is nicely detailed and the design of the characters and enemies is in line with the rest of the Zelda series.
For one of the first GBC games Link's Awakening DX is still a nice looking game today.
Sound
For a game that is almost two decades old the music is still really nice to listen to, from the intro to the final boss you are accompanied by great and unforgettable tunes throughout your journey. Each piece of music goes well with where you are and what is going on at that moment. The village music is pleasant, calm and has a happy beat to it. Once you leave a village and start exploring more of the island the music changes. The music that plays can only be described as adventure music, it just makes you fell that you are on a great adventure. I could easily go on and talk about each piece of music in the game (as each tune is great), but the best thing to do is to experience it yourself while playing.
The only sound throughout the game that is annoying is the sound of when you are almost dead. The constant beeping is sometimes enough to make me turn the sound off and I'll only turn it back on once it has stopped.
Gameplay
If you've played any of the other top down Zelda games Link's Awakening is very similar gameplay and control wise. The game controls very much like A Link to the Past, with the main difference being that you only have two face buttons to work with. You are able to equip any two items that you have collected and don't need to use the sward or shield. Link's Awakening is the first game in the series that made it so that you had to press a button to use the shield, so if you don't have it equipped you will need to be more careful of enemy attacks.
This game also follows the same structure as other games in the series, a bit of exploring followed by a dungeon then some more exploring with side quests thrown in to keep you busy. In general it is a good formula that continues to this day in the Zelda games.
The story keeps you interested, and unlike most Zelda games it's not about rescuing Princess Zelda (I know, very shocking). You get shipwrecked and stranded on the mysterious Koholint Island and are told that the only way to get off the island and to return home is to wake the Wind Fish. Once you get closer to the end of the game you find out the secret of the island, which is quite sad after you have made friends with the inhabitants of the island.
Lasting Appeal
The main game will take you some good time to finish but that's not the only thing to do. There are plenty of places to explore, things to find and secrets to be uncovered.
The addition of the new colour dungeon and the pictures gives you more to do then the original. The new dungeon isn't that big but is fun and makes you think, and if you are playing on a Game Boy or Game Boy Pocket you can't enter it at all. Getting all the pictures can be a bit of a challenge as you need to be in the right place at the right time, if you miss the timing of one then you wont be able to get it on that play through.
Overall
For being the first handheld Zelda game it's still one of the best games in the series. It has a good blend of action and exploration, the sprites are drawn very well, the game is bright and colourful and the controls are solid and easy to pick up. If you've never played any of the handheld Zelda games this is where you should start, if you've never played a Zelda game at all this is still a good game to start with.
Scores
Players: 1
Original Release Date(s): Original; Aug 1993(US), Nov 18 1993(EU), Jun 6 1993(JP) DX; Dec 1998(US), Jan 1999(EU), Dec 12 1998(JP)
Link's Awakening is the fourth instalment of the Zelda series and the first to be released on a handheld. It was originally released in 1993 for the Game Boy and later re-released in 1998/1999 for the Game Boy Color. This was the first Zelda game that didn't take place in the land of Hyrule, it was also the first not to feature Princess Zelda (she is mentioned a few times though). The story takes place on Koholint Island where Link finds himself stranded and must find 8 musical instruments to wakeup the guardian of the island, the Wind Fish, to escape.
Link's Awakening has the same sort of structure as most of the other games in the series, you start off with nothing but the clothes on your back and slowly build up your inventory as you progress through the main story.
Presentation
The games start menu is simple and easy to navigate. You have three save files, an erase option and a copy option. With so few options to distract you, you can get into the game straight away.
The in-game menu follows the same structure, simple and easy to navigate. The items menu is a single screen split in 2. On the left is all the usable items that you have collected and, unlike the console Zelda games, you can arrange them in any order you wish. The right-hand side shows the number of collectables you have like the seashells, the current trade item and the instruments you've got from the dungeons. By holding Select a small screen comes up showing you the tunic you currently have, the number of heart pieces you need for an extra heart and the number of pictures you've collected.
The main map is also on a single screen and is blank at the start of the game. However as you explore more of the island the map starts to fill in. You can move the cursor to any of the areas that you've been to and get a small description by pressing the A button. You can also re-read the owl's messages by clicking on the area he talked to you in (always a handy thing).
In short the game is very well presented with easy to use menus which are clear and organised.
Graphics
Like most Nintendo games Link's Awakening is bright and colourful. The only difference graphics wise between the original Game Boy version and this one is that DX is in colour. Even though the GBC can't display many different colours at once it still adds something to the game. The game world is nicely detailed and the design of the characters and enemies is in line with the rest of the Zelda series.
For one of the first GBC games Link's Awakening DX is still a nice looking game today.
Sound
For a game that is almost two decades old the music is still really nice to listen to, from the intro to the final boss you are accompanied by great and unforgettable tunes throughout your journey. Each piece of music goes well with where you are and what is going on at that moment. The village music is pleasant, calm and has a happy beat to it. Once you leave a village and start exploring more of the island the music changes. The music that plays can only be described as adventure music, it just makes you fell that you are on a great adventure. I could easily go on and talk about each piece of music in the game (as each tune is great), but the best thing to do is to experience it yourself while playing.
The only sound throughout the game that is annoying is the sound of when you are almost dead. The constant beeping is sometimes enough to make me turn the sound off and I'll only turn it back on once it has stopped.
Gameplay
If you've played any of the other top down Zelda games Link's Awakening is very similar gameplay and control wise. The game controls very much like A Link to the Past, with the main difference being that you only have two face buttons to work with. You are able to equip any two items that you have collected and don't need to use the sward or shield. Link's Awakening is the first game in the series that made it so that you had to press a button to use the shield, so if you don't have it equipped you will need to be more careful of enemy attacks.
This game also follows the same structure as other games in the series, a bit of exploring followed by a dungeon then some more exploring with side quests thrown in to keep you busy. In general it is a good formula that continues to this day in the Zelda games.
The story keeps you interested, and unlike most Zelda games it's not about rescuing Princess Zelda (I know, very shocking). You get shipwrecked and stranded on the mysterious Koholint Island and are told that the only way to get off the island and to return home is to wake the Wind Fish. Once you get closer to the end of the game you find out the secret of the island, which is quite sad after you have made friends with the inhabitants of the island.
Lasting Appeal
The main game will take you some good time to finish but that's not the only thing to do. There are plenty of places to explore, things to find and secrets to be uncovered.
The addition of the new colour dungeon and the pictures gives you more to do then the original. The new dungeon isn't that big but is fun and makes you think, and if you are playing on a Game Boy or Game Boy Pocket you can't enter it at all. Getting all the pictures can be a bit of a challenge as you need to be in the right place at the right time, if you miss the timing of one then you wont be able to get it on that play through.
Overall
For being the first handheld Zelda game it's still one of the best games in the series. It has a good blend of action and exploration, the sprites are drawn very well, the game is bright and colourful and the controls are solid and easy to pick up. If you've never played any of the handheld Zelda games this is where you should start, if you've never played a Zelda game at all this is still a good game to start with.
Scores
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