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Play Overview
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (1999) is an adventure puzzle game in the Zelda series. A remake of the 1993 Game Boy game of the same name, it's set on Koholint Island and follows Link after he is stranded and must find a way back to the land of Hyrule. Its unique combination of puzzles, combat and exploration, together with a surprisingly deep story make it an intriguing game to explore.
You traverse through the open world and battle enemies using your sword, shield and other items you collect along the way. This is punctuated by descending into a series of puzzle-based dungeons that must be completed to gain new weapons and open new areas of the map.
As you progress you learn to throw heavy objects to clear your path, grapple across gorges and dash into enemies to defeat them. In this way, you explore the island on a quest to collect eight instruments and awaken the island's legendary Wind Fish in order to escape.
The result is a miniature Zelda adventure that unfolds into a considerable challenge. Capturing the innocent joy of the Gameboy adventure, but ensuring there is enough challenge here for even the most experienced of players.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 5 weeks ago.
You traverse through the open world and battle enemies using your sword, shield and other items you collect along the way. This is punctuated by descending into a series of puzzle-based dungeons that must be completed to gain new weapons and open new areas of the map.
As you progress you learn to throw heavy objects to clear your path, grapple across gorges and dash into enemies to defeat them. In this way, you explore the island on a quest to collect eight instruments and awaken the island's legendary Wind Fish in order to escape.
The result is a miniature Zelda adventure that unfolds into a considerable challenge. Capturing the innocent joy of the Gameboy adventure, but ensuring there is enough challenge here for even the most experienced of players.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 5 weeks ago.
There are lots of games similar to The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Here are some we picked for you:
Play Style
Duration
Play Time: This game will take between 15 hours and 18 and a half hours to complete. Some of the missions, like delivering a long series of items to different people, can take a long time to figure out unless you use a guide.
Benefits
This game is good if you want to:
- Play big blockbusters
- Critically Assess information
- Use games in church
- Get children reading
- Re-think your assumptions
- Walk in someone else's shoes
This game has helped players develop their Knowledge as part of the following pathways:
This game has been the inspiration for the following activities:
Design A Maze
MAKING AND DESIGNING
Visit A Maze
TRIP
Age Ratings
Content Rating
Rated for younger players in the US. Rated ESRB EVERYONE for Mild Fantasy Violence. Players use a sword, arrows, and magic attacks to strike enemies (e.g., turtles, slimes, bats, birds) that usually burst into clouds of smoke when defeated.
Skill Level
9+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. The linear nature of the game and sequential requirement for some puzzles and fetch quests means younger players require resilience and perseverance. Playing the game together in the family is both rewarding and enjoyable.
Our Game Pathways reveal how 17-year-olds play this game:
- 17-year-old: Navigating An Unmapped World
Costs
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening usually costs £49.99.
You can only play this on older systems (Game Boy) but can usually find it second hand on eBay.
On Switch 2, the Switch game gets free enhancements:
You can only play this on older systems (Game Boy) but can usually find it second hand on eBay.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.
On Switch 2, the Switch game gets free enhancements:
- Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality. HDR support.
Game Details
Release Date: 01/01/1999, updated in 2019
Out Now: Game Boy and Switch
Skill Rating: 9+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Adventure, Fighting (Action, Platform, Puzzle, Role-Play and Traversal)
Accessibility: 17 features
Components: 2D Overhead, Hand-Made and Open World
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