The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX

"You WILL NOT be disappointed!"

I'm a BIG fan of Zelda. I have every one of the games (except those horrible, but rare CD-i games). I already had the original Link's Awakening when I went out to buy this game, but I just HAD to have a new color game for my new Game Boy Color, and I figured it should be this one. Man, I was RIGHT!

(Note that these ratings are system standard, meaning that even though the Graphics get a 10, that doesn't mean that they are as good as the PlayStation's/N64's graphics, obviously. They just get a 10 for Game Boy standards.)

Graphics: 10/10

The Graphics in the original Link's Awakening were superb, but Link's Awakening DX's graphics are basically flawless! I haven't seen such good color since the Game Gear or Nomad, and all of this comes with no slowdown! Remember when the game would slow down horribly when Link was healed by a fairy? That is no more, and it's in color, too! The colors chosen for the sprites and backgrounds are all superb, and the little characters, although simple, are nicely animated. So, it's not 3D. Who cares? It's classic Zelda, looking its best!

Music/Sound: 9/10

Call me obsessive, stupid, weird, whatever you want.. but I love the music in this game. Of course it isn't as good as PlayStation, and of course it's made using cheap keyboards, but the tunes are cool! We have a remixed version of the classic Zelda theme, which, in my opinion, is 100 times better than that garbage we got in Ocarina of Time. We also have cool dungeon music, and up- beat, although repeitive, Boss music. The game's sound effects are simple, yet good for every situation. None of them stand out, but they are good. Even the pissed off chickens sound kinda real, once you get used to it..

Story: 9/10

This and Ocarina of Time have, by far, the best stories in a Zelda game. This game, ironically, has nothing to do with Ganon and/or the Triforce - rather, it takes place right after A Link to the Past, where Link has gone on a journey away from Hyrule to improve his fighting skills for the next time he has to deal with Ganon (in Zelda I). On his way back, though, his ship gets battered by a ferocious storm, and although Link tries to save it, the ship is annhiliated by a lightning bolt. Link is then stranded on Koholint Island, where a young girl named Marin and her father Tarin (Malon and Talon?) help Link recuperate. Link then begins on a quest through eight dungeons to gather the Instruments of the Sirens that will wake up the "Wind Fish". I'm gonna shut up now, 'cause I want you to find out the rest for yourself.

Control: 10/10

Besides Ocarina of Time, Link has never been so manuverable. In this game, he can attack, jump, lift, run, swim, grapple, defend, and even use a little magic. And it's all easy to do. You just assign an item to a button, and voila! He does his stuff. Say, for instance, you want to use the B Button to make Link jump. You just assign the Roc's Feather (found in a dungeon) to the button, and he'll jump on command. The Control Pad is very precise, allowing the player to move Link around with ease. The control in this game is some of the best I've seen in a Game Boy game.

Fun Factor: 10/10

There was a lot to do in the original Link's Awakening, but Nintendo added even MORE to do in Link's Awakening DX! First off, and possibly the most important difference, is that there is a whole new secret dungeon for Link to explore, called the Color Dungeon. It's completely optional, but it does contain a treasure that will help you greatly in your quest. Do note, though, that you can't complete it until you've acquired the Hookshot in the Catfish's Maw (Level 5). This dungeon is only accessible if you're using a Game Boy Color. If you're not, you won't be able to get in. The second difference is the fact that you can acquire different color Tunics for Link in this game. The Red Tunic increases Link's offense (think of it as a permanent Piece of Power), and the Blue Tunic increases Link's defense (think of it as a permanent Guardian Acorn). The third difference is that there is a Camera Shop. Here, you can get your picture taken if you come alone. Then, the camera guy will take your picture at 11 different locations on Koholint when you go there, activating a cool little anime-ish super-deformed picture that appears in Link's Album. Then, Nintendo takes it a little further by letting you print these pictures out using the Game Boy Camera/Printer. Cool. Finally, there are a few more added text boxes and signs that weren't in the original game. If you weren't completely addicted to this game before, then you probably won't notice them. For example, when the Witch gives you Magic Powder, and you sprinkle it on one of the torches in the room, she'll congratulate you for it. That didn't happen in the original version. These are nice little additions for Zelda veterans such as myself.

Overall: 10/10

If you got a Game Boy Color for Christmas, use some of that X-Mas money and go get this game immediately! You WILL NOT be disappointed! But, for those who didn't get a Game Boy Color or don't want one, I don't recommend this game. There's not enough of a difference there without the color, and furthermore, you can't access the Color Dungeon. Sure, the Camera Shop and all the little extras are available, but I don't think they're worth the $25-40 you're gonna have to shell out for this game. So, Nintendo, when's the next Zelda GBC game coming out? Soon, I hope.s

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99