The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX

THE BAD:
This game must have worn out several thousands of my brain cells

SUMMARY:
This game was actually the first Zelda game I’d played in years. I’ve never owned a Nintendo console so I only played a version of Zelda well over 10 years ago at my cousin’s house. I was very pleased with how this game developed and how many things there were to do. I don’t remember how long it took me to beat this game, but it must have been about 100 hours at least.

You control Link and you are washed up on a beach at the start of the game. What you are doing there is uncovered through the storyline and events that happen in the game. Eventually you realise what is going on and why everything is happening the way it does although I don’t recall seeing Zelda anywhere in this game, but never mind. The viewpoint in this game is above, looking down but not quite at a plan view. As you go through the game you come into weapons and items to use.

You can equip two items at a time and you use one by pressing the ‘A’ button and one by pressing the ‘B’ button. Some items (like the sword) can be used over and over again but some items have a limit and once you’ve used all you have you can’t use any more until you find some or buy some. You come into items at certain points in the game. Usually this item will allow you to do things in a flash that took strategy and time to do before, which is mildly annoying.

As you wander around you are given tasks to do and you have to explore the map. When you go to the world map you can see where you have explored and anywhere you haven’t been into yet will have a black square over it. Without spoiling too much of the storyline you will eventually have to wander through 8 dungeons and obtain something after beating the boss in there. Most of the new items you come across are in these dungeons and frequently you need to use the new item to get past a part of the dungeon. These dungeons aren’t the only part you need to work your way through though. There are many places outside of the dungeons, which are basically mazes where you need to find your way around.

Your health meter is heart shapes which when red indicate you have health left. Usually one hit from an enemy will take half a heart away but more powerful enemies, like bosses, will be able to do more damage. You start off with 3 hearts full of health but more can be found throughout the game and you can have about 14 maximum. Health can be found by defeating enemies or in the grass. You can destroy grass by swinging your sword at it. You can save your game at any point but when you reload you will start off at wherever you entered the section are on from and everything in your section will be reset to the way it is when you first enter it.

One of the best touches in this game are the things you don’t actually notice when you are first in a section. There are many things that you can’t access to start off with. But when you obtain items from later parts of the game you can return to parts of the map and you discover that you can now get to hidden parts. So if you find a part of a map you can’t get to and it looks like something might be there, chances are there is and you will have to come back later on. In order to complete the game you need you don’t actually need to go into every square, but sometimes helpful hints and tips are located around and you usually get a clue in the form of a riddle from a brown owl and black telephones also give you hints, well the person on the other end of the phone does.

As you get near the end of the game any questions that came up through the game have pretty much all been answered and completing the game is all that’s left. The final boss is actually very challenging in that you can’t just swing your sword at it aimlessly, you need to use other weapons and strategies to beat it. Having a lot of health is a must if you plan on winning the final confrontation.

This game is probably the one I have ever spent longest on trying to complete the main game once. It took me ages and some of the puzzles you have to complete are extremely challenging. I spent many hours trying to work some things out and when I finally completed the game I had an amazing sense of accomplishment second (in terms of gaming) only to beating Devil May Cry on Dante Must Die mode. When I’d beaten the game I realised just how long it had taken me and just how damn hard some of the parts were. In terms of beating enemies the game isn’t really that hard except the end boss, but some of the puzzles you need to beat require a lot of thought and possibly younger gamers might not be able to figure it out. Not too many games actually give me a feeling like I’m working through a tough school exam, but this one did due to the amount of thought I put into it.

The makers of this game decided to include something extra in the colour version, and needless to say, it does involve colour. You get a choice of two rewards when you beat this little extra and I must say I found one of them extremely handy. If you want to change your mind though you only have to go through it again and once you’ve done it once it isn’t really that hard.

This is possibly one of the best games I’ve ever played because unlike so many games, I got a challenge out of it. And it wasn’t a challenge because the enemies did tons of damage and you did none, it was a challenge because it required thought to be put into it. It’s almost a strategy game because of some of the things that need to be done. Some parts of this game are mentally tough so maybe younger gamers might need some help, but I’d recommend this to anyone who thinks they need a mental workout because that’s exactly what this game requires. Even if you play a second time through it will take a while because of the sheer length of the game. In my opinion this is the best game I ever played on a Game Boy.

THE BAD:
Besides the above, its pretty much the same game
Secret dungeon is too short

SUMMARY:
The DX version of Link's Awakening is a color enhanced version of the original version, modified to fully utilitize the capabilities of the Game Boy Color system.

It also included a few minor changes with objects you come across, a photo gallery where each photo is unlocked if you fill certain criteria, and a secret dungeon where you need to arrange objects of different colors to complete it. In the end, you get to choose between two different powers.

Other than that, its basically the same game. If you liked the original, though, its definitely worth the buy. It relives the experience in a new way.

THE BAD:
Nothing I can fault it on!

SUMMARY:
This truely is a great Zelda game, one of my favourites! I am honoured to say, this was my first ever Zelda game. After a storm, Link is left stranded on the beautiful island of Koholint, his ship in ruins. He is found by a kind, caring woman by the name of Marin, who nurses Link back to health till he awakens. The dungeons are of the best design I have ever seen on a hand-held console, and the music is great! The characters are full of life and personality, from a magic-making witch, to a music loving bunny! Even the side-quests are full of great meaning, especially the poor Ghost you meet half-way through the game. This Zelda game got me hooked on the series, and is the reason I have 8 of them now. But, none of them ever give the special feeling and memories I get, when I play my DX. If you love Zelda, adventure, action, and a little weirdness ^_~ then The legend of Zelda:Links awakening DX is definatly for you!

THE BAD:
Oracle of Ages/Seasons are better games

SUMMARY:
Graphics: All very sharp and clear, rather colorful, especially the secret dungeon. The animation is ok by GBC standards, even though Link does have an awfully big head. Still good, though.

Sound: A good number of different tunes, that are very nice indeed, very good sound-effects and realistic noises from the owl. Very good sound.

Gameplay: Now we're talking, a brilliant combination of great battles, solving smart puzzles and talking to lots of different characters. Great control, good sense of progress, varied challenges, just like a Zelda-game should be.

Lifespan: Takes a while to finish, lots of secrets to get, excellent replay-value, no complaints here, no sir.

Overall: An excellent adventure, though its not the best GBC Zelda (Oracle of Ages/Seasons are slightly superior to this game). Still very, very, very good.

THE BAD:
The added color and secret dungeon don't make the game any better

SUMMARY:
This is just your standard type of old school Zelda adventure game and that is what makes it so fun to play. The overall design of LA is relatively simplistic but the game is pretty long and very involving. There is much do to on Koholint Island (yes, this isn't Hyrule) and the dungeons in this game can be pretty challenging at times as they aren't very straight forward and require a little thinking on your part. There are a handful of sidequests to try as you attempt to complete the game as well so it is hard to ever find yourself bored. If anything, you'll be stuck in the dungeons as like I already mentioned they are sometimes quite challenging.

Although this game is pretty dated, it is one of the most enjoyable games I have ever played on my Gameboy and very well worth a try.

THE BAD:
Sometimes this game can be boring, and it may be aggravating to you

SUMMARY:
This game is awesome, but it should be just a tad easier, but the more challenging for me, the better, but sometimes this game can be pretty boring, when it gets boring, just leave it alone for a few hours and play it again, there it's fun again. I would recommend this game to anybody who always liked Zelda games.

THE BAD:
-Photo shop is kinda dumb but it adds a little more to an already excellent title.
-The bonus dungeon. Nuff Said.
-Can get fustratingly difficult, but it just makes you wanna play more!

SUMMARY:
Possibly one of the greatest Zelda games ever and the best game boy game to-date, Links Awakening is back with a new colorful style! With dazzling crisp display, even if you already own the classic Links Awakening, you should consider purchasing this game too because its like a totally new game with color.

Back in the day I remember getting the original gamboy for christmas and I got one game. Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening. As a little kid I did not quite appreciate the game as much as I do now. I will never forget this game and it will always remain my all-time favorite.

With its deeply immersing storyline and intricate detailed gameplay, Links Awakening DX is possibly the greatest RPG for the little handheld, and it proves that even though GB is small, it can still compete with the bigger and better systems when it all comes down to it.

The game can definitely get fustrating if you are stuck, but that just makes me want to play more and more. In addition, I dont know about you, but I like to keep classics a classic and the new dungeon level and photo shop are just plain dumb. So please let classics be classics and dont add or take elements from them.

In conclusion, the color addition is a dream come true. And Zelda: Links Awakening will always remain at the top of my list of must-have games.

I hope you found this review helpful.
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THE BAD:
~ some small glitches
~ kinda short

SUMMARY:
You play Link where he gets washed up on a mysterious island, and the only way to get off is to wake up the wind fish. In order to do that you must go to every temple and castle and win one of the wind insturments, when you get them all you can try to wake up the wind fish to return home.
~ Different levels of swords and weapons
~ Photo shop where you can get your picture takin at a certain time in the game
~ Many different enemies
~ Extra level for gameboy colors

THE BAD:
Searching for that last key in a dungeon

SUMMARY:
This is a pretty solid game for the GBC and it also plays on the old GB, you just can't get into the secret dungeon. If you liked the first Zelda for the NES, then you will probably like this one too. The game first starts out really easy, but becomes more difficult later. It will take awhile to beat this game, but not too long. The hidden dungeon is a nice add on, but it seemed a little too easy. The reward you get for beating would make you think that they would make the dungeon bigger or more difficult. The photo album adds some fun to the game too if you have a printer for the gameboy. The only complaint I have against this game is that it is easy to miss one item, and you have to search all over for it.

Bottom Line:
Get it if you have a gameboy color, but if you only have the old gameboy, stick with the non DX game.