Thursday, November 4, 2021

Switch/Game Boy Game Review: Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

 The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a game that turned heads on the Game Boy when it was released in 1993 (later on Game Boy Color in 1998) but when it was remastered in 2019 it was brought to the Nintendo Switch to high acclaim as well.  In this edition I'll first go through the Game Boy Version but the main thing here being reviewed is the Nintendo Switch Version.  Without further ado, here we go! 


Game Boy Version:

This is very, very well done and it is deserving of the high praise it got in the 90's.  The Color version just added color but kept the entire storyline the same.  The thing was the Game Boy was black and while and didn't add any sort of color due to the limited spectrum of the game system.  However that shouldn't turn you away because the game is so, so deep and so good overall.  This game on the Game Boy is very well done with literally every aspect as noted below with the Switch.

Switch Version Positives:

1. Graphics- Obviously to be updated but very well done overall.  I thought the game in an open console like the Switch did very, very well overall and Nintendo did terrific with the graphics in every way and department.   


2. Gameplay- Very fluid, good for a players pace whether they are more methodical or fast paced.  It allows for the game to play overall very well.  The game is well paced, fluid and the open world map is fantastic with the Switch.

3. Music- This again is just a broken record, as Zelda and Nintendo make great music all the time and it is the same case here.

4. Link's Progression- He does well like in the Game Boy version and so I appreciate the character development in terms of what he is able to do in Link's Awakening.  I felt they did amazing with this as a remaster and kept it fluid as well.  Yes I say fluid but they had a lot they could have changed but they didn't and it is a welcome relief that this was done overall.

5. Mixing in Mario- You will notice at times with Mario, Princess Peach and stuff.  I thought at first it was tacky, but overall I thought it was a good touch to be honest that they put trophies, paintings on this game so it looks pretty cool in all aspects.  

Added: There isn't a favorite boss of mine, so this is an honorable mentioned to speak.  But the bosses are all pretty well done overall.  This is also the same to be said about dungeons.  To me I didn't have a favorite because they are all very well done to be fair.

Switch Version Negatives:

There really isn't a major negative on this game.  To me if you were seriously nitpicking, I guess the length of the game can turn away from people I guess? To me it isn't a negative or positive.  It's just a remaster of the original game so I felt the same thing was going to happen in terms of the difficulty, length and so forth.  It's literally the same game only remastered overall.

Overall Rating

There is no question that Link's Awakening should be played by gamers.  Heck I would recommend all three games if you wanted to play the Color version on Game Boy because well it ads color to the game rather than the black/white disposition of the Game Boy.  Overall they both get the same rating but I enjoyed them both equally.  It's a good mix of playing the Game Boy long ago like I did and the Switch version recently.

Overall Rating, both versions get a 10 out of 10.

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