Underplayed Gems

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (1993)

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening cover
Developer
Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development
Publisher
Nintendo, Playtronic
Platforms
Game Boy
Genres
Puzzle, Adventure
Rating
4.3 of 5, 232 player ratings
Main story
about 12 hours
Completionist
about 8.5 hours

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How it feels

A timeless handheld adventure where Link solves puzzles and battles through dungeons to awaken a mysterious sleeping giant.

adventurouspuzzle-heavyfantasyhandheld classicexplorationnostalgictop-down

About

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is the first title in the series to be released on a handheld system and the only Zelda title on the original Game Boy. The gameplay is mostly similar to its predecessor with a top-down perspective, however there are short sections in dungeons where the game switches to a side-scrolling view with platforming elements. For this new adventure, Link must go onto each of the 7 temples to retrieve a musical instrument that will help awaken the Wind Fish. Along the way, he must search the land and uncover hidden treasures and items that will allow him to progress on his journey. Since its release, Link's Awakening has been popular among fans and critics.

Screenshots

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening screenshot 1The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening screenshot 2The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening screenshot 3The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening screenshot 4The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening screenshot 5The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening screenshot 6

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This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.