The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is one of the best retro games. I think it is probably the best game on the original Game Boy.
I have many memories of playing this game while on car trips and traveling to wrestling meets. This was one of the games that I borrowed from a friend before I got it later on. It was one of the games that I enjoyed trying to figure everything out.
Let’s talk a little more about the game. It has some unique features that help it stand out from the other Legend of Zelda games.
TLDR: Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is one of the best games on the Game Boy.
History
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was released in 1993 in Japan, North America, and Europe. In 1998, it was released in Japan and North America on the Game Boy Color. Europe got the Game Boy Color version in 1999.
The Game Boy Color version was released as The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX. An exclusive dungeon was added to the game, color graphics, and some compatibility with the Game Boy Printer. I had no idea this version existed.
In 2019, a high-definition remake was released on the Nintendo Switch. I wouldn’t say I like this version’s art style much. It blends in with many other games that use the same graphics. It looks generic to me.
Link’s Awakening started as an unauthorized Zelda game. It also used some of the rejected ideas from Link to the Past, like not having to use the sword all the time. I’m glad that a game like this came out.
Gameplay
This game mostly plays like the first Legend of Zelda and Link to the Past. You have a top-down view, carry two items, and have to gather objects to achieve your goal. It does have some other things that make it stand out.
The most significant change is that you don’t have to have the sword equipped, and it doesn’t have to be locked on one button. You can have the dash boots and shield equipped, or the want and bombs equipped. It makes things very interesting and allows for different puzzles.
You can also steal items from the shop. Yes, you get killed by the shopkeeper, and everyone calls you Thief for the rest of the game, but you can still do it. Sometimes it can cut down on the grinding for money.
This game differs from the other games in the items you’re collecting. In this game, you’re trying to collect musical instruments so you can wake up a fish and go back home, where you are still adrift in the ocean and will most likely die. Probably.
You can also jump in the game. Assuming that you have the appropriate item that allows this. This was really cool because it wasn’t possible to do this in the other games up to this point.
Visuals
This is the best-looking Game Boy game that I have seen so far! It looks like it could have been on the NES.
The cutscenes are one of the best parts of the game. It was something that I hadn’t seen on other Game Boy games from this period. It is one of the things that makes this game stand out.
I think Link’s Awakening looks better when I compare this game to the original Legend of Zelda. While I like the rough look of the original, there is something about the cartoony look of the Game Boy game.
The monsters look great, Link looks good, and the bosses look great. The visuals are so good in this game. This would be my favorite if I didn’t have so much nostalgia for the first game.
9.5/10. This is one of the best games on the Game Boy! It is that good!
Conclusion
This is one of the best Legend of Zelda games and arguably the best Game Boy game. It did a lot to expand the world of Legend of Zelda as it didn’t take place in Hyrule. It was kind of like this game made leaving Hyrule okay.
I really enjoyed going back and playing this game. I remember playing it a lot when I was growing up. There were so many things that I had forgotten about, and I enjoyed trying to relearn the game’s secrets.
I haven’t played the remaster on the Switch. I’m glad it exists because it means the game is more accessible for people to experience today. If you get a chance to play this game, then give it a try! It is a spectacular game.