Everyone has a handful of games that they love more than others. For me, one of those games is The Legend of Zelda Link's Awakening. It's an interesting game that builds on it's Super Nintendo predecessor Link to the Past and in many ways improves on it. The story is tighter, the gameplay is often tighter and the music and graphics are great. Link to the Past might have a better control scheme due to the extra buttons of the SNES controller but Link's Awakening has a more immersive story and tighter gameplay.
From the start of the game you are tasked with finding all the instruments of the Sirens to wake the slumbering Wind Fish. I am not going to spoil anything but the ending is a bittersweet wrap up that you don't experience much in gaming. Another odd aspect to Link's Awakening is that the game only references Zelda, she isn't in the game at all. It's a nice change of pace from the "Save the princess" motif that seems to be present in most Zelda titles as this game could ditch the Zelda title entirely.
Link's Awakening also features something that is a now staple of modern Zelda titles in that you start with one item and trade it forward until you find something very important for later in the game as seen later in Ocarina of time and others.
Link's Awakening is still a solid game and it may very well be my nostalgia blinders talking but I believe i'll keep coming back and playing this game every couple years as I have done. If you are looking for a short Zelda game with enough gameplay to keep you playing dust off an old Gameboy kart and give this one a try.
I created a new Let's Play video embedded above playing through the first dungeon from the start of the game. At some point I plan on replaying the entire game as a series of Let's Play videos but until then, the first dungeon will have to hold us all over.
From the start of the game you are tasked with finding all the instruments of the Sirens to wake the slumbering Wind Fish. I am not going to spoil anything but the ending is a bittersweet wrap up that you don't experience much in gaming. Another odd aspect to Link's Awakening is that the game only references Zelda, she isn't in the game at all. It's a nice change of pace from the "Save the princess" motif that seems to be present in most Zelda titles as this game could ditch the Zelda title entirely.
Link's Awakening also features something that is a now staple of modern Zelda titles in that you start with one item and trade it forward until you find something very important for later in the game as seen later in Ocarina of time and others.
Link's Awakening is still a solid game and it may very well be my nostalgia blinders talking but I believe i'll keep coming back and playing this game every couple years as I have done. If you are looking for a short Zelda game with enough gameplay to keep you playing dust off an old Gameboy kart and give this one a try.
I created a new Let's Play video embedded above playing through the first dungeon from the start of the game. At some point I plan on replaying the entire game as a series of Let's Play videos but until then, the first dungeon will have to hold us all over.
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I meant to mention it in the Roundtable, but we got onto another topic and I missed my shot: this is still probably my favorite Zelda game, even with its really limited technology. It's the pinnacle of GBC.
I agree. It's such a great game and they did so much on the original Gameboy that it's fairly incredible to consider. When I play it I don't really think of any technical limitations as the game really shines beyond all that especially with the addition of simple colors. As I said above in my review I think the only real limitation is to the A/B buttons for the Gameboy.
Its so weird knowing i met you in person...hmm
JustAWeeaboo: Did you come out to the PIGSquad/Starship Rubicon/Cheerful Ghost booth for OMSI Game Masters?
I've pretty much said this before, but I'll say it again. I got Link's Awakening some time around when it was released for the Gameboy. The Gameboy was my primary gaming device, I didn't have a Nintendo or Sega Genesis, although my cousin had all three. I did eventually also own a Sega Game Gear, but that's not too relevant to this post.
Anyway, I enjoyed the game and I probably still have it somewhere around here. I have played the Gameboy Color version, which was cool. I honestly don't recall very much about it other than the things you've mentioned and that it seemed unique in many ways, especially the music. But yeah, it was fun and I certainly enjoyed it. I'm glad you've been enjoying it.
Haven't played the newest Zelda's. But easily in the top 3. So great