The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Reviews

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is ranked in the 96th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Unscored
Sep 19, 2019

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is the perfect Zelda for younger fans

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8 / 10
Sep 19, 2019

Link's Awakening returns, this time under the guise of a marvelous-looking game for the Nintendo Switch with plenty of new content, a very improved item system that brings its gameplay to our days, and a higher difficulty level that does wonders for its level of challenge. The new Chamber Dungeon component ends up delivering less than it promised but the overall experience is not affected and this new version of Link's Awakening instantly becomes a new classic and the ultimate incarnation of one of Zelda's most beloved games.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Sep 19, 2019

It is a must-have for any Zelda fan, and so should take its place as a console seller for the Nintendo Switch.

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Sep 19, 2019

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening manages to feel new, but still maintain the essence of the amazing original. This is peak old-school Zelda, and it's never looked better.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

Link's Awakening was home to some of the best classic-era dungeon designs and bosses in the series, and this remake is a reminder of (or introduction to) its legacy

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8 / 10
Sep 19, 2019

With a quirkiness to it that stands out from the rest of the series, Link's Awakening still holds up beautifully well as a modern 2D Zelda game. Outside of some nagging performance issues, Link's Awakening is a wonderful remake of a Game Boy classic.

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85 / 100
Sep 19, 2019

Putting aside the gorgeous graphics, the obtuse level design, and the various modern touches, Link’s Awakening is still an exceptional Zelda game.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

Slight gripes with the new engine and the old source aside, this is still Link's Awakening: one of the best Zelda games to date. Although I don't think I'm going to rotate the DX version out of my yearly Zelda replay sessions, I'll definitely be working the Switch remake in.

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9 / 10
Sep 19, 2019

Proof that traditional Zelda is just as essential now as it was back in 1993.

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Unscored
Sep 19, 2019

No Nintendo remake has ever combined the beautiful and the familiar like this.

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GameSpot
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 19, 2019

Link's Awakening on Nintendo Switch is a smart remake that enhances the spirit of the original while upholding the things that made it a classic in the first place.

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9 / 10
Sep 19, 2019

The Legend of Zelda : Link's Awakening was a treasure on Game Boy. Is still is with this version, but this time it's really good-looking, irresistibly cute. Even if there are some frame rate hiccups, if you're in possession of a Nintendo Switch, don't hesitate one second and go (re)discover one the best episodes of the entire saga.

Review in French | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

The selection of smart fixes makes the game less of a grind and mostly an experience that keeps on trucking. While I don't think much of the Chamber Dungeons and other added trinkets, the refinements made to the overall flow make the journey worth it. For newcomers or Zelda veterans, Link's Awakening is a hoot from beginning to end.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a loving remake of a decades-old game remake with just enough modern touches to make it worth playing again. Graphical overhaul aside, it's perhaps a little too faithful to the original, while additions like the dungeon-builder are a bust. Newcomers get to experience one of the quirkiest games in the series, but for those who've played through it multiple times, there's little reason to play other than nostalgia or adoration - both of which are perfectly good excuses to return to Koholint.

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EGM
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

The remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is stuck between two places—the past and the present. Chances are that you've already made up your mind about whether or not to play it. It's a classic Zelda game given a second chance with a striking visual language and evocative, haunting musical reinterpretations. Making the jump from the Game Boy to the Switch means that you'll spend a lot less time changing items in the menu and much more time appreciating the meticulous clockwork of Koholint Island's challenges.

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8.4 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is an amazing remake that gives new life to a game 26 year old, with a brilliant art style and a perfect progression tied to the finding and the use of accessories. The only technical flaws is represented by some frame rate issues during the transition from an area to another one.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

Nintendo's updated take on a quarter-century-old classic is made to be enjoyed by all generations equally

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is another must-play Nintendo Switch game. It still stands the test of time and in no way feels outdated, which is impressive for a 20 year old game. Don't let performance issues and a high price point stop you from playing this absolute classic.

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Alex Donaldson
Top Critic
Sep 19, 2019

With a gorgeous presentation and smart and minimalist tweaks, it’s as charming and enjoyable now as it was in the nineties.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 19, 2019

Despite some uncertainty regarding the framerate The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is an excellent remake, which enhances the original experience in every way and makes it modern thanks to a very valuable series of improvements.

Review in Italian | Read full review