The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

This 2019 remake reimagines the classic adventure where you, as Link, awaken stranded on Koholint Island, exploring dungeons and solving puzzles to wake the Wind Fish. Gameplay preserves the core structure but adds quality-of-life updates like expanded item slots and map navigation tools. Distinctive features include a complete visual overhaul with a toy-like aesthetic and newly arranged music, plus the ability to design custom challenges using the Chamber Dungeon feature.

This title is a complete remake of a classic adventure, bringing the beloved handheld experience to the Nintendo Switch platform. Following a shipwreck, the hero Link awakens stranded on the mysterious Koholint Island, a place where the fauna speaks and strange creatures roam. To find a way home, Link must embark on a quest to awaken the legendary Wind Fish, whose slumber holds the key to the island's secrets. The atmosphere blends whimsical charm with underlying mystery, as Link explores a land far removed from the familiar settings of Hyrule.

Core Experience and Setting

The narrative centers on Link's journey across Koholint Island. After being caught in a storm at sea while training, Link washes ashore. He is informed that the only path to escape involves rousing the giant Wind Fish, who sleeps atop the island's highest peak within a massive egg. This quest requires navigating numerous trap-laden dungeons, solving intricate puzzles, and interacting with a memorable cast of quirky island inhabitants.

What are the key updates in this remake?

Visual and Audio Overhaul

This version preserves the original structure and story while presenting the entire world in a striking, new visual style. The aesthetic features a distinct, toy-like appearance with depth-of-field effects, offering a fresh perspective on the familiar environments and characters. Furthermore, the classic soundtrack has been completely reborn, featuring new arrangements that enhance the emotional tone of the adventure while remaining faithful to the original melodies.

Gameplay Modernizations

While retaining the core puzzle-solving and exploration loop of the original, several quality-of-life improvements have been integrated for modern players:

Item Management: Players can now equip more items simultaneously, streamlining combat and puzzle solutions compared to the original's limited quick-slot system.
Information Access: The ability to review key conversations allows players to easily recall important plot points or clues without relying solely on memory.
Navigation: New methods for navigating the world map have been implemented to improve overall flow.

What new content is available to explore?

Beyond the main quest, this release introduces significant replayability through customization:

The Chamber Dungeon Feature

A major addition is the ability to construct personalized dungeons using the Chamber Dungeon feature. Players earn rewards, including dolls based on characters from the Super Mario series, by completing renovated mini-games. These earned items, known as Chamber Stones, are then used as building blocks to arrange and design unique dungeon layouts. Each Chamber Dungeon presents its own set of puzzles and challenges crafted by the player.

Platform and Availability Context

This Adventure/Puzzle game was released on September 20, 2019, for the Nintendo Switch platform. It is a faithful reimagining developed by Grezzo and published by Nintendo. There are currently no announced or available DLCs or expansions for this title.