The game features a unique art style in contrast to the rest of the series. The gameplay is presented as a "retro-modern" art style with toy-like character designs, diorama-like world designs, and tilt-shift visuals that evoke the original game's presentation on the Game Boy. The opening and credits cutscenes are presented akin to anime. It also features customizable dungeons which the player can create and then complete for rewards.
Link's Awakening received generally positive reviews for its improved gameplay, unique art style, and faithfulness to the original game, though its technical issues were criticized. As of December 2022, the game has sold over 6.46 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games on the Nintendo Switch.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is an action-adventure game with a top-down perspective.[2][3] Its story is set on Koholint Island, where Link, the player character, is stranded after his ship is caught up in a storm.[4][5][6] After being rescued by a girl named Marin, Link embarks on a quest to collect the eight instruments of the Sirens and awaken Koholint's legendary Wind Fish in order to escape the island.[6] Similar to other Zelda games, the player traverses an open world with dungeons scattered throughout, featuring puzzle-solving sections and boss fights,[7] along with trading sidequests.[8] In contrast to other top-down games in the series however, Link's Awakening allows the player to jump over obstacles and onto platforms,[9] and also features side-scrollingplatforming sections.[10][11]
The "Color Dungeon" from Link's Awakening DX, which features color-based action and puzzle gameplay, is included.[12] In the Link's Awakening remake, Link's sword, shield, and upgrades are permanently equipped, allowing more items to be equipped to action buttons in comparison to the original game.[13] Various minigames also received updates, such as realistic physics in the claw crane minigame.[14] As players progress in the game, rooms from completed dungeons can be collected as pieces that the player can use to reassemble their own dungeons by visiting the non-player character Dampé at his shack.[15][16][17] The player can then complete these dungeons in a time attack mode to earn rewards such as a life-replenishing fairy bottle,[15][18] contributing to an increased replay value over the original game.[19]
Players can also unlock "plus-effects", which can be added to customized dungeons to enhance their gameplay.[20][21] The Link figurine from the Link's Awakening series of Amiibo offers a unique plus-effect, summoning Shadow Link to chase the player through the dungeon; defeating Shadow Link increases the value of rewards earned upon completing the dungeon.[21][22] Other figurines from the Zelda series of Amiibo and Zelda-themed figurines from the Super Smash Bros. series of Amiibo will unlock a random one of five special chambers in Link's Awakening, which cannot otherwise be obtained in game.[23]
Development
Dungeon rooms designed for the original game's 1:1 presentation on the Game Boy do not fill the remake's widescreen presentation.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a remake of the 1993 game developed for the Game Boy.[24][25]Link's Awakening had previously been remastered for the Game Boy Color in 1998 as The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX.[2] While the original game was presented in 2D graphics in an almost square ratio on the Game Boy, the remake is presented in 3D graphics and a widescreen ratio on the Nintendo Switch.[7][24] Some sections of the game's dungeons do not fill the width of the screen though, as certain puzzles and boss fights were designed to work with the tile count of the game's original square ratio.[7]
The game adopts a "retro-modern" art style distinct from other Zelda games,[3][9] departing from the original game's A Link to the Past-inspired art style while retaining its simplicity.[26][27] The toy-like plasticine character designs also depart from the Wind Waker-inspired designs typical of many top-down Zelda games since the release of Four Swords Adventures.[2][28][29] It features a tilt-shift effect that exaggerates the camera's perspective and depth of field.[11][30] The effect was inspired by the appearance of the original game's "small [...] but very vast" world on the Game Boy's 66 millimeter screen;[31] series producer Eiji Aonuma chose a diorama-like art style to help achieve this effect.[31]
Dampé's shack, which houses the player's customized "Chamber Dungeons", replaced the Camera Shop from Link's Awakening DX, which served as a Game Boy Printer hub.[17] The Chamber dungeon came after Shigeru Miyamoto inquired with Aonuma if there was any way to implement Super Mario Maker-like gameplay into the Zelda series. Feeling that simply allowing players to create their own dungeon would be too difficult, Aonuma instead introduced Chamber Dungeons, by way of letting players rearrange dungeons as a way of achieving this goal – purposing it as a puzzle itself for players to solve.[32][33]
While the original game and DX use simple sprite-based graphics for the cutscenes due to the limitations of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, the remake features hand-drawn animated cutscenes, directed and storyboarded by Junichi Yamamoto.[34] Oswald Katou handled the concept art, backgrounds, and color design.[35]
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening was announced via a trailer showcased during a Nintendo Direct presentation in February 2019,[5][36] and was showcased with a demo at E3 expo that June.[37] The game is published by Nintendo, and was released on September 20, 2019,[38][39]distributed digitally via the Nintendo eShop, and on physical game cards through third-party retailers.[40] A "Dreamer Edition" of Link's Awakening included the physical version of the game packaged with a Dreamer Art Book featuring concept art.[41][42] A "Limited Edition" exclusive to Europe included the physical version of the game encased in a Game Boy-themed SteelBook packaged with an expanded 120-page art book.[42][43] A limited two-sided poster of the game was given out to those who pre-ordered at select retailers. A Link's Awakening-series Amiibo figurine of Link was released simultaneously with the game, replicating the character's design as he appears in Link's Awakening.[22][21][41] Aonuma described it as the first Amiibo figurine to faithfully replicate Link's in-game appearance.[44]
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregatorMetacritic. Most critics agreed that the main game needed little change, but that the quality of life updates were welcome. Forbes's review states that Link's Awakening is "an excellent remake of an already faultless Zelda game".[68] While USgamer stated that the remake "improves most of the flaws" from the Game Boy version while maintaining what made it a classic in the first place, they did note that "slowdown issues pop up from time to time".[64]
Sales
Link's Awakening launched at #1 on the UK, Japanese, and EMEAA physical all-format charts, becoming Grezzo's biggest debut and the fastest-selling Switch game of 2019.[69][70] It sold 141,375 physical copies in Japan and 430,000 copies in Europe during its first three days on sale.[71][72] As of December 2019, the game sold 250,947 physical copies in Japan.[73] As of March 2021, the game has sold 5.49 million copies worldwide.[74] The 2023 CESA Games White Papers revealed that the game had sold 6.46 million units, as of December 2022.[75]
^ abcMcWhertor, Michael (February 13, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake coming to Nintendo Switch". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. As Link, players will once again return to the island of Koholint for new adventures. While the new Link's Awakening will retain the top-down — and occasionally side-scrolling — view of the Game Boy original, the Switch remake will use 3D models and employ a stylish, toy-like aesthetic. [...] First released in 1993, the game was later updated for the Game Boy Color in 1998.
^ abDornbush, Jonathon (February 13, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake for Nintendo Switch Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. Link's Awakening on Switch retains a top-down camera style but set in a world realized in fully 3D animation. Characters are 3D models, and the art style is new to the series.
^ abDevore, Jordan (February 13, 2019). "Zelda: Link's Awakening is back with an oh-so-adorable remake for Switch". Destructoid. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. Closing out today's Nintendo Direct, the company revealed a super cute Nintendo Switch "reimagining" of the classic handheld adventure The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. [...] We'll return to Koholint Island sometime this year.
^ abNintendo 2019, 08:02, "Link is shipwrecked on this island, and Marin actually rescues him, and so then he has to go and try to find a way off this seemingly inescapable island by finding the eight instruments of the Sirens and awakening the Windfish..."
^ abcAltano, Brian (February 16, 2019). "6 Questions We Have About The Zelda: Link's Awakening Switch Remake". IGN. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. The biggest change so far [...] is the new widescreen presentation for the overworld traversal (the original version had square aspect ratio) [...] However, the dungeon sections currently have black bars on the sides of them since overhauling the tile counts in each dungeon room would throw off certain puzzles, boss fights, stage layouts and more...
^Nintendo 2019, "5:42, "This Yoshi doll is actually part of a pretty vast trading quest in this game. [...] In exchange for that, I got a ribbon, and I can exchange the ribbon with someone else in this world..."
^ abIngraham, Nathan (February 14, 2019). "The 'Link's Awakening' remake could be the start of something special". Engadget. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. Over the years, other essential games like A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have either been remastered or at the very least made available on Nintendo's various virtual or classic consoles. [...] The company showed off a trailer with a gorgeous retro-modern style [...] it's the first top-view Zelda game where Link can jump.
^ abBuckley, Sean (February 13, 2019). "Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake announced for Nintendo Switch". CNET. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch looks almost like a stop-motion film shot from above, exaggerating its overhead perspective with a blurred, depth-of-field focus. It seems like an extremely faithful recreation of the original title too, from the preserved layout of the town to the game's unique, side-scrolling platforming sections.
^Nintendo 2019, 12:07, "We're very, very excited to announce that the Color Dungeon is indeed in this version of the game [...] these camo-goblins sink into the ground in their various colors..."
^Nintendo 2019, 10:57, "...a huge UI improvement in this game is that your sword, shield, things like your power bracelet, pegasus boots, are always equipped, which is a huge improvement on the original because that frees up your Y and X button for whatever else you want to equip..."
^Nintendo 2019, 02:40, "...even fans who played the original game are going to notice a little bit of a difference here, because there are actual, real crane physics going on here.
^ abMakuch, Eddie (June 11, 2019). "E3 2019 -- Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake Dungeon-Maker Mode, Release Date Revealed". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. ...the mode allows players to create their own, custom-made dungeons by placing chambers earned in the adventure mode. Once created, players can explore the dungeons. Conquering the various chambers will yield various rewards, Nintendo said.
^Schreier, Jason (June 11, 2019). "Link's Awakening Remake Is Out September, Has A New Dungeon-Building Feature". Kotaku. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. ...it appears that you'll be able to collect levels that you've visited in the game's dungeons and then bring them to Dampe the gravedigger, who will let you arrange each level on a dungeon board and then go exploring for loot.
^ abNintendo 2019, "14:32, "We see this new location; this is something that DX players might recognize as being that camera hub, but in this game it's something brand new. [...] It looks a little bit like a shack, and it's filled by our friend, Dampé here!"
^Plante, Chris (June 11, 2019). "Link's Awakening out on Sept. 20, will have a dungeon creator". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. Players can tackle their custom dungeons for additional rewards. In the trailer, Link completes a player-made dungeon and receives a new Fairy Bottle.
^Nintendo 2019, 29:20, "He's going to add, into the Chamber Dungeon, what's called a "plus-effect". The plus-effects are layered on top of the chambers, and they add a new gameplay variant to what would otherwise be a familiar room."
^ abcCarter, Chris (June 11, 2019). "(Update) Link's Awakening on Switch is getting its very own amiibo". Destructoid. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. There's also an amiibo figure in the mix, which is a take on the adorable new art style for Awakening on Switch. You can find the full rundown below from Nintendo. His figure ability includes adding a plus-effect to the dungeon creation element: Shadow Link, "which chases you through several different rooms". [...] This is the 19th announced amiibo for 2019...
^ abBankhurst, Adam (June 11, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, Dark Samus, Chrom, Incineroar, and Richter Amiibo Revealed - E3 2019". IGN. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. September 20, 2019: Link - The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening [...] it will add a Shadow Link to player's dungeons in Link's Awakening that will earn the player many rupees if he can be defeated. Be careful though, as Shadow Link will chase you from room-to-room.
^Nintendo 2019, 30:17, "There are other plus-effects in the game [...] In addition to the Link's Awakening Amiibo, there are other The Legend of Zelda series Amiibo that will work with Link's Awakening, but not just that; any Legend of Zelda character Amiibo will work with The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening".
^ abGartenberg, Chaim (February 13, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is getting a 3D Switch remake". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. ...a new, 3D remake of the Game Boy classic The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. [...] which will see the 8-bit Game Boy graphics redone in a bright, colorful, and absolutely adorable-looking 3D style...
^Marks 2019, "...the newly announced remake of Link's Awakening is also moving away from the original's Link to the Past inspired style and into something we've (again) never really seen before. The almost plasticine look and beady eyes of its characters is totally different than both A Link Between Worlds and the Wind Waker look that many previous 2D Zeldas draw from."
^Marks 2019, "Just after Wind Waker, the GameCube spin-off of the GBA Four Swords mode was the first 2D Zelda game to start drifting away from Link to the Past's look.
^Marks 2019, "It even appears to be using a tilt-shift blur effect in some areas..."
^ abNintendo 2019, 00:58, "When I played the original Game Boy version, it was a small screen, and it felt like a small world, but very vast. And so, it kind of had this tilt shift perspective; so that's why I thought this diorama-like art style would be perfect for this."
^Nintendo 2019, 16:20, "I've always wanted to create a way for players to create their own dungeon, but I didn't want to make it anything too hard, so just like a puzzle, or solving a puzzle, I wanted to make this Chamber Dungeon easy enough for people to play and feel like they're solving a puzzle."
^Yamamoto, Junichi [@yamamotojunichi] (September 20, 2019). "本日発売のニンテンドースイッチ版「ゼルダの伝説 夢をみる島」のOP、EDムービー制作など参加しました。ムービーのディレクションと絵コンテ、演出などを担当しました！" [I participated in the OP & ED production of the Nintendo Switch version of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, released today. I was in charge of the direction, storyboard and unit direction!] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019 – via Twitter.
^Katou, Oswald [@ozoztv] (September 20, 2019). "ゼルダの伝説夢をみる島発売おめでとうございます！OP、EDムービーの制作に参加しました。コンセプトアート、色彩設計、BG、他いろいろ。" [Congratulations on the release of Link's Awakening! I participated in the production of the OP and ED movies. I did the concept art, color design and backgrounds, among other things.] (Tweet) (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019 – via Twitter.
^Francis, Bryant (February 13, 2019). "Mario Maker 2 and a Link's Awakening remake drive today's Nintendo Direct". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019. ...today's Nintendo Direct briefing was bookended with news that Super Mario Maker 2 and a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening will be landing on the Nintendo Switch.
^Knezevic, Kevin (June 11, 2019). "Nintendo Confirms Today's E3 Direct 2019 Conference Length". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. Nintendo had confirmed that several of this year's biggest Switch releases--namely Luigi's Mansion 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening--will be playable on the show floor
^ abKane, Alex (June 11, 2019). "The 'Zelda: Link's Awakening' Remake Drops in September". Variety. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. A collectible toys-to-life Amiibo figure and a special Dreamer Edition, which includes an art book, will both ship alongside the standard edition of the game on Sept. 20.
^ abSitzes, Jenae (June 11, 2019). "The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening Pre-Orders Available Now, Release Date Revealed". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019. Link's Awakening is also getting a Dreamer edition that will include the base game and a hardcover book with concept art. [...] A gorgeous limited edition of Link's Awakening has been announced for Europe, but there's no word on it coming to America so far. It comes with a Game Boy-themed steelbook and 120-page artbook in addition to the game.
^Nintendo 2019, 28:57, "This might be the first Amiibo where Link looks exactly like he's taken out of the game; he looks just exactly like what he is in the game."
^"2019 Nominees". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. January 13, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
^"2019 Winners". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. February 24, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
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