I was never a Zelda fan. I’ve watched enough Game Grumps videos to know this franchise makes the HARDEST-TO-BEAT games. I’m a Kirby supporter through and through.
But the moment I saw the first trailer for Link’s Awakening, I was immediately taken away by the design. First off, Link and co. look cute in chibi form. Second, it gives off that Mario vibe. Third, it didn’t look hard.
I’m not lying when I say I never put the game down as soon as I got it. Five days (and five sleepless nights) and I was finished. And now I will share my experience with all of you.
About Zelda: Link’s Awakening
An action/adventure game where you/Link explore a whole new island with a secret. It’s made to look like one of those anime-heavy RPG platforms, but it’s actually a lot simpler.
Marin is your main go-to girl. She’ll send you in the right direction. The rest of the characters you meet will practically spoon-feed helpful info.
See, this is the kind of Zelda game I’ve been hoping for: stress-free.
Released on September 20, 2019, Nintendo gave Zelda lovers a remake to an old classic from the 90s. Any of us who have been Gameboy users can finally experience Link’s Awakening with Switch.
It was already popular back in 1993, being one of Nintendo’s best. Soon as the 2019 revival hit the market, the gaming community went wild.
It hasn’t even been a year and it already sold more than 4 million copies. A proud moment for Nintendo who calls it one of the best-selling games thus far.
Zelda: Link’s Awakening Story
No, that’s not Princess Zelda: Marin (left) is the first to discover an unconscious Link washed up by the storm.
After just barely surviving a storm, Link finds himself washed ashore on a strange island. He meets Marin and other inhabitants (both human and creature), that are possibly part of something big. Throughout the game, you find yourself unlocking a mystery.
The kind you wish you just left alone.
Like I said, I’ve never played Zelda games before. My only experience is the hours I spent watching Game Grumps compilations (and half the time Dan and Arin don’t even talk about the game, just random funny crap).
I did, however, look up Link: The Faces of Evil (the one where everyone looks like they were drawn in MS Paint). Yeah, bad example…
But as soon as I started playing Link’s Awakening, the story was not complicated to follow. In fact, it got right to the point without adding so much heavy, confusing recap.
Link wakes up on an island and meets Marina (whom we all agree looks like Princess Zelda), and decides to explore. The story starts off getting to know the island and the people. But then it slowly takes a turn that makes you wish it could just remain a fun explorer game.
Lovable characters. Lots of Easter eggs (oh, Nintendo!). And an easy-to-follow plot.
While I was wondering what the “mystery” was about the island, I was more focused on Marin and Link. I don’t know the whole story about Princess Zelda (do she and Link have some kind of on-off romance?), but the moment Marin started talking to Link, I shipped it.
Throughout the game, Link often finds her for advice. She gives it, plus a song. Did I also mention I enjoy the Animal Crossing-esque music? (eat your heart out, Isabelle!)
Marin also hints about something much darker, but let’s just enjoy her interactions with Link, okay?
I think what motivated me to finish the game faster was hoping for romantic development between those two. I mean, sure, there’s some kind of nightmare-induced force to worry about. But I found these two so cute together!
Even to this day, I’m still waiting for that moment to happen (hopefully, in a future Zelda game with this design).
I won’t spoil anything, but the game will make you just want to lay in bed for days.
It was like 3 or 5 in the morning when I finished the game. I was slowly absorbing the ending right up until the final cutscene.
I didn’t believe that was the final cutscene. I had really hoped it was just the sleep deprivation getting to me.
I reloaded the game. And it was right back to the beginning.
Never has a game made me feel so hollow...
Zelda: Link's Awakening Gameplay
No, this is not photoshopped. That is legit an actual Chain Chomp.
As Link, you get to explore Koholint Island with rupees hiding in every corner. You meet NPCs that not only entertain the story, but also guide you if stuck.
Tarin, Marin’s father, is a sweet-yet-bumbly man you often find in forests looking for mushrooms. Sometime in the game, you’ll find him turned into a tanuki (raccoon) and you have to fix it. It may sound like a boring mini-game, but it’s actually pretty fun.
There’s also my favorite NPC: Madame MeowMeow. She’s just a sweet lady who owns three Chain Chomps.
Yes, Chain Chomps. Link’s Awakening is loaded with Mario references! Thinking about it, Tarin is practically a duplicate of Mario (mustache, mushrooms, turns into a raccoon like that one power-up you get in the Super Mario levels)!
Madame MeowMeow’s Chain Chomp gets to accompany you during one task, and does what it does best: chomp your enemies. It’s too bad it doesn’t stick with you for the rest of the game.
Then there is my least favorite NPC: Prince Richard. Yeah, he’s not exactly interesting in the slightest. But the task he gives you is!
He claims to be a brave, courageous guy but expects you to do all the work. I feel like when the development crew first came up with him, he was supposed to be Link’s polar opposite.
And what was the significance of collecting those gold leaves? What did he need them for? Honestly, I would have loved to play that part of the game had it become existent (did I mention Link’s Awakening feels like a really short gameplay?)
Overall, I enjoy all the characters. You’ll love them so much it’s going to be very painful when [SPOILER ALERT] happens…
Because the designs make this look like one cute 3D toy set (or Tamagotchi), it’s kind of disappointing that your map is limited to only the island. Sure, there are a lot of sections to check out, but the game still feels SO short!
If the game ever gets a DLC update, hopefully they’ll give us more levels and more places. Because as the only Zelda game I’ve ever played, I really wish it kept going.
Mabe Village is my main go-to area. I go there to find rupees and mess with chickens (Game Grumps showed me a bonus where if you hit one long enough, its flock will come after you). It’s also my main shopping district where I can acquire health and weapons.
There’s also Martha’s Bay where you help out a mermaid that definitely has the hots for you. And also meet a fisherman who lets you fish for collectibles. It’s like the Froggy mini-game in Sonic DX.
Except with better graphics. An easier lure. And the entirety of it doesn’t piss you off.
Despite how cute the game is, there is plenty of nightmare fuel. You think that one level in Yoshi’s Crafted World with the axe-wielding dolls was scary? Try taking down slime eels!
These eels look like something that would belong in Tremors. Or Starship Troopers.
If you find a cracked wall, chances are you’ll have to challenge those things. It was very hard for me to fight them the fifth time.
Don’t focus too much on watching out for the mouth. Those things have spiked tails that will take a large chunk of your health.
They are hard to defeat. And they are even harder to look at, good god!
Zelda: Link’s Awakening Combat
How to take on certain bosses like Genie
Watching Game Grumps videos gave me the impression just how hard Link’s inventory is to acquire. In most of their videos, you have to go around and get weapons in what I feel is a dizzy-looking platform.
And often the way the weapons are used look confusing and complicated. That was one reason I didn’t want to play Zelda games.
But Link’s Awakening is like a craft tutorial: they explain it carefully and thoroughly.
As you go through the game, every task fulfilled grants you a new weapon. You do someone a favor, they either give you something or tip you in on how to get an item. I was actually having fun connecting the dots and filling up my inventory.
One of my favorite items I often used is the hookshot. You use it to get over chasms or broken bridges. It’s also the item you use to take down slime eels (you hook ‘em right in the mouth and make them squirm).
Then there are the trademark weapons of Link: the bomb and bow. I don’t use the bomb much unless I have to destroy a blocked entrance. The bow, however, is like my main weapon when taking down enemies.
Enemies are more of an annoyance than a stressor. When going into caves, there are bats and creatures emerging from the ground coming at you. Then there are those random enemies that swing at you.
I just want to find another secret passage. I don’t want to waste my time cracking a bunch of eggshells!
Easy as it is to fight them, I am very serious about my health. When the game first started, Link only had a few hearts. Exploring the island, you find fragments that increase your healthline.
You either get them from a treasure chest. Dig them up. Win them. Or buy them.
Honestly, you’re going to need all the hearts you can find because the bosses get more difficult. They’re called Nightmares for a reason.
Like health, you’re going to need all your weapons. Because I have actually gotten my ass kicked, just when I thought it looked easy.
You have to go through nine different dungeons with annoyingly hard bosses. One of the guys I absolutely hated fighting was the Genie.
I just need to crack his bottle in order to win! And even that’s hard because this guy likes to play dirty! If I thought the slime eels were hard enough, this guy pisses me off!
And don’t get me started on Evil Eagle. He is practically the game’s biggest troll. You’re stuck on a platform trying not to get pushed off, and this bird barely stays as you try to hit him.
I’ve fallen many times. And each one I get more frustrated. And more determined (and this is where depriving myself of sleep happens).
Zelda: Link’s Awakening Quest/Mission System
Another thing I love to do is head to the shops where you don’t just spend rupees on items. You have to get them through a claw machine.
Yes, if you’ve been to arcades, you may have played one too many claw games (that may or may not be rigged). There’s something inside the glass box that you really want, and you’re willing to spend every buck just to get it.
Same applies for Link’s Awakening. Except it’s a lot simpler. Almost always the claw will be able to get the item you want.
It’s more fun, and a lot better than just negotiating a price with some sleazy merchant like most games.
The claw machine actually does a lot for your trading quest. Basically, Link meets NPCs who might ask for items that other NPCs have. So you do a complete circle and get their stuff before you finally get yours.
One of the tasks involves a mother who would really like to have a Yoshi doll for her kid (yes, that Yoshi). Guide Link through the claw machine and you have it. The doll gets exchanged for a ribbon, which another NPC will want. And etc, etc.
Personally, I like adventure quests that involve finding items for other people. It’s like putting all the pieces of a puzzle.
One of the more interesting trading tasks I’ve done was delivering a letter for Mr. Write. He’s a lonely dude who often sends random mail, but never gets feedback. It’s like the equivalent of posting your art on Twitter and not even getting one like.
But he has a correspondence relationship with a woman named Christine, whose letter you deliver. He’s in love with her based solely on messaging (like Catfish).
It turns out she’s a talking goat. But Write actually believes she’s Princess Peach (again, just like Catfish).
Man, I WISH there was a scene of him reacting to seeing his “true love” face-to-face.
Zelda: Link’s Awakening Graphics
Revived classic: More than 25 years since the original Link’s Awakening was made, Switch users get to experience the game with a fresher, nicer, modern look.
Link has come a long way.
Again, I’ve never played Zelda games until this one. The 90s were practically owned by Pokemon.
But just like Pokemon, Link’s Awakening got a whole new look.
Improved technology. Better animation. More modern ideas.
The design and diorama-like graphics are the sole reason I wanted this game. Link looks cute in his small, toy-like form. And not an ugly Peter Pan wannabe wearing mascara (sorry, Breath of the Wild fans).
Back then sprites had very limited movement. Facial expressions were limited to one soulless, unnerving stare.. And pretty much everyone looked the same.
But the 2019 version has given even the NPCs so much individuality (which makes it even more painful as you finish the game...).
Zelda: Link’s Awakening Developer
Grezzo brought the 1993 Gameboy classic version to a “retro modern” light. According to the developer, they wanted to design a Link that broke away from other versions. Something that looked cuter, friendlier, and less serious ( an adorable serious, like Pikachu).
In terms of glitches, I haven’t experienced one (and I played this game non-stop for five days). But apparently a majority of other Switchers have made a discovery.
When they said there were glitches, I thought like graphical errors. But no, it’s the kind of glitches that make the game more entertaining. And help you cheat.
There’s actually a page that lists all of them. I think the ‘Cheap Cheat’ one is my favorite.
You spend more time collecting rupees, most of it ends up getting spent on power-ups or plot devices. But we’ve found a way to break that system!
As soon as you begin your purchase, press Start + Select + A +B, then go to Save and Quit.
After you reload the game, you’ll have both your item and your rupees.
If only this worked with Sonic Racing. Imagine all the money I could save on upgrades and finally beat that one hard level, oof…
From the looks of the gaming community, there really aren’t any complaints. This has to be the first time I’ve heard positive feedback about bugs. Maybe that’s why there hasn’t been a DLC update so far.
Zelda: Link’s Awakening Price
The game costs $59.99 if you plan to update your Switch’s choice menu. I, however, did not have to pay that much.
A friend of a friend already finished the game, and was willing to sell it for 40 bucks. She finished it just after two weeks.
I’m proud to say I now consider it on my top 4 of optimistic games along Kirby Star Allies, New Super Lucky’s Tale, and Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle.
Now I’m playing it again!
FINAL VERDICT: 9/10
Pros
Nice, clean graphics
Lovable characters
Addictive gameplay
Cons
Not enough gameplay
