I've been pretty steadfast in my critique that 2019 was a bland year for video games. While there were some diamonds in the rough, 2019 certainly lacked the excitement of years past. That is, unless you were a Nintendo fan, though, because in 2019, there was always something around the corner. Even with a few small missteps in "Yoshi's Crafted World," "Daemon X Machina," and the polarizing "Pokémon Sword & Shield," there were equally as many well-received games, including "Super Mario Maker 2," "Fire Emblem: Three Houses," "Astral Chain" and "Luigi's Mansion 3." One of the other noteworthy titles was "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening," a full remake of the original 1993 game for the Game Boy. While that game has received heaps of praise then and continues to today, I personally never really played it. I owned the "DX" version for the Game Boy Color as a kid, but having known nothing about the "Zelda" series back then, it was lost on me. Still, I was pretty excited when they announced this Switch remake simply because of how great it looked, and beyond it being pretty gratifying to finally get to beat the game after so long, I was very pleased by my entire experience with the game.
"The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" just bursts with love: you can tell just how much effort and attention was put into making this the best remake possible, and the effort shows. I love the visual design of the game: it's a loving recreation of the original with a great, toy-like design that fits the game perfectly and is just brimming with color. I love how the game almost has this look of being an interactive play set, it's perfectly captured and captivating. Gameplay-wise, the game still feels like it belongs in 2019: sure, like many "Zelda" games, I highly recommend you have a guide nearby, since a number of the dungeons and puzzles can be overwhelming )as can the size of the map), but it's the type of game that makes you feel gratified when you complete them. The game has its challenge, but it's not "fake difficulty," it's a genuine challenge that works in the game's favor. The boss battles also grew on me a lot, I initially thought a few were a bit simplistic, but they were still plenty of fun to fight, and the final boss was definitely a highlight. The music is also fantastic, the relaxed vibe of the game is strong )I got a kick out of just running around and cutting grass, for example), and I also thought the game did a nice job with its writing, too! Koholint Island, beyond its stunning visual design, is home to a variety of memorable characters, and there's plenty of emotional moments that are conveyed well, even as a title that follows the "Zelda" tradition of being rather minimal. I might not be able to fully compare this to the original game, but what I can say is that I can tell that so much love when into this remake, and the effort shows in a fantastic game.
There are a few minor critiques that I have about the game, though: I've heard a number of people complain about some frame rate drops, and yeah, I did notice a few of them. Having played the game both docked and undocked, some of the dips were noticeable. Not quite enough to break my immersion, but enough to wish they would be polished a little bit more. I'd say my big concern, though, is the length: I wouldn't exactly say it's the shortest game you'll play, but keep in mind that, with this game, you're essentially getting a remake of a handheld game on a system that, at least partially, is a console. It might feel a little longer if you're like me and you have some trouble figuring things out, but I can imagine this being one of those "breather" games you play between big ones, since it's short enough. And I think it's something for me to hang around because, unfortunately, the game still costs $60 to purchase. I absolutely think the game is worth playing, but I totally understand that some people might be on the fence about paying so much for a handheld remake on a console, and I do think that's valid.
Overall, though, whether you wait for a price drop or not, "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" on the Switch is a game I absolutely recommend. It's a loving remake of a classic handheld "Zelda" game, and it's a memorable experience from start to finish. Whether you're a seasoned gamer who has played the original versions of the game, or someone who's never gotten a chance to, I think this remake has a little something for everyone. Do yourself a favor and play "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening," because it's another excellent addition to the incredible lineup of games that the Switch has continued to amass.
Final rating: 9 out of 10 "Awesome"