If The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening doesn’t immediately come to mind, it’s understandable. This, the chronologically fourth Zelda title, may have been overlooked upon its initial release in 1993 for the original Game Boy, the Game Boy Color (DX) re-release, or even the DS. While I extensively played the Game Boy Advance version of A Link to The Past – a personal favorite from Zelda’s isometric era – Link’s Awakening remained something I’d only heard of. Now, Nintendo and the developers at Grezzo are delivering a remaster worthy of the name on Nintendo Switch.
Link’s Awakening opens with our green-clad hero (referred to here as Link, though the name is customizable) shipwrecked during a storm and awakening on Koholint Island. A classic adventure ensues, navigating intricate dungeons and involving the familiar backtracking mechanics to ultimately reach the enigmatic Wind Fish.
Link’s Awakening – A Visual Transformation
Unlike the subject of H.C. Andersen’s cautionary tale, Link’s Awakening, 26 years later, has received a remarkable visual overhaul on the Switch. The simplistic monochrome and 16-color graphics of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color era have been reimagined into a charming, modern aesthetic that should appeal to a new generation of players. This updated presentation does place some demands on the Switch’s hardware, resulting in dynamic resolution and frame rate fluctuations. The resolution ranges from nearly 1080p down to 720p, while the frame rate fluctuates from 30fps to the lower 20s. (Note: these observations were made prior to any released patches and may be subject to improvement.) Performance sees a slight improvement when docked, however, resolution and frame rate drops can still occur during scenes with numerous moving objects.
Link’s Awakening (2019) remains exceptionally faithful to the original. Aside from the updated audio-visual presentation, the primary enhancement is a slightly more zoomed-out camera perspective. This provides the player with an improved overview of the island’s layout, mitigating the previous need for frequent tile loading upon each movement, which hindered the overall sense of spatial awareness. This approach has distinct advantages. Long-time fans will undoubtedly appreciate the enhanced visuals, perhaps even eliciting a sense of nostalgia. However, the game design, reflective of its era, can feel somewhat dated. While Link’s Awakening isn’t overly difficult, it often features cryptic elements that encourage a degree of trial-and-error exploration. This approach was common in the 90s, when players had ample time and a comparatively limited selection of games. Today, this can feel somewhat cumbersome, as the challenge often lies in deciphering the next objective rather than mastering the task itself.
Zelda – A Benchmark for Adventure Games
The Zelda series is widely recognized as one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed adventure game franchises in gaming history. Its consistently high standards are maintained through regular innovation and refinement, balancing fan expectations with new and engaging elements. Link’s Awakening offers a charming and atmospheric adventure on the Switch. While it may not represent the pinnacle of the Zelda series, either historically or today, it remains a worthwhile experience. Personally, I rank A Link to The Past, The Wind Waker (GameCube/Wii U), and Breath of the Wild among my personal favorites. However, akin to choosing Queen‘s best song, all are excellent in their own right. I offer a warm recommendation to both returning and new players, with the caveat of requiring some patience for certain unconventional design choices.
