The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was the game that put me over to purchase a Nintendo Gameboy. Until that point it was great for puzzle games, lousy sports titles, and strange renditions of Mario. As a massive fan of A Link to the Past, I was more than happy to continue that Link’s story. I remember the game being a fun adventure, with a uniquely non-Zelda story but spectacular (for Gameboy) visuals.
Now, almost 20 years later, the game returns in it’s DX form to the 3DS’ eShop Virtual Console. It’s still an awesome game, and perhaps now even better thanks to a couple of tweaks.
For those unfamiliar with the plot of the game, Link’s Awakening takes place on Koholint Island just after A Link to the Past. There is no Triforce, no Zelda, and no Ganon. It’s as brave a departure from traditional Zelda as The Adventure of Link is. The DX version of the game was designed for the Gameboy Color, featuring a full-color-ish palette and a couple of extra dungeons not found in the original Link’s Awakening.
I don’t need to go into the merits of the original game. It’s great; it’s challenging; it’s pure Zelda. The characters are memorable, the enemies are designed well, and the music is wonderful. The game reviewed highly when it was released, and those merits alone would still review it highly today.
The real joy of this version relies heavily on a few things that Nintendo added into the eShop that makes the game infinitely enjoyable.
First, the save features. Link’s Awakening originally required us to push 4 buttons at once to access the Save Menu, contorting our thumbs in a timed press. This time around the 3DS’s “Restore Point” feature allows us to save the game anywhere, even during a boss battle. By doing so, I was able to complete the game quicker, as I didn’t have to restart when my hearts ran out. It’s definitely much less frustrating.
The analog Circle Pad is usable as well, creating a much more modern feel to the controls and adding a fresh feel to the game. Not being forced to use the D-Pad is a huge positive. Also, the game can be played in a “virtual Gameboy” in its original TINY resolution. By holding START when beginning the game, a frame appears around the game screen, shrinking its visuals down to a crisp size. I only recommend this for the hardened fan, because it was too small for my eyes. Neat effect, but not really needed.
Finally, because the game is downloaded through the eShop for the obnoxiously low price of $6, it can be played at any time when taking a break from other 3DS games. It’s a great diversion to have, regardless of what else I may be playing.
Really, it’s because of these few tweaks that the game can not only stay relevant today but also be a better experience overall. If you have a 3DS, I can’t recommend it enough.
About the Author
