Zelda: Link’s Awakening review round-up: Critics praise ‘dream’ remake
Switch title is out September 20 alongside Switch Lite
The first Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening reviews have been published ahead of the game’s release for Nintendo Switch.
In VGC’s Link’s Awakening Switch review, our reviewer calls the remake “A charming reimagining of a classic 2D Zelda adventure, with gameplay that can’t quite match its striking presentation.”
Read on for all of the scores from the major games press outlets.
- US Gamer (5/5) – “Its shiny new coat of paint suits it well, even if slowdown issues pop up from time to time. A few hours of play is all it takes to remind you why Zelda fans love Link’s Awakening so very much.”
- Nintendo Life (9/10) – “It adds modern conveniences, a dungeon creator, amiibo support and lots of little quality of life improvements whilst infusing every single square inch of Koholint with a level of detail and depth that totally reinvigorates both its timeless story and classic Zelda gameplay for a whole new generation of gamers.”
- VG247 (4/5) – “Let down only by the lackluster dungeon creator and some uneven performance, the design of Link’s Awakening nevertheless holds up brilliantly, which in turn makes the slavishly accurate recreation worthwhile.”
- Eurogamer (Essential) – “Some frame-rate issues on the overworld at launch aside – more an annoyance than anything else – this version surpasses the hopes I had for another visit to its world.”
- Kotaku (No score) – “Link’s Awakening is a beautiful recreation of a legendary game, but it doesn’t have much to offer to players who already know the ins and outs of Koholint Island.”
- IGN (9.4) – “Updating the look but never losing the feel of the original, Link’s Awakening is a masterclass in remaking a classic.”
- Game Informer (9/10) – “Beautifully captures the essence of the Game Boy original while adding some quality-of-life upgrades to bring it up to contemporary standards.”
- Hollywood Reporter (No score) – “Whether you’re a newcomer to the Zelda series or simply looking to dive in nearly 30 years after the game first hit handhelds, you’re going to be in for a real treat.”
- Daily Star (5/5) – “It is a must-have for any Zelda fan, and so should take its place as a console seller for the Nintendo Switch.”
- Gamespot (4/5) – “Though the remake has a couple of blemishes, it’s still an easy game to recommend. People speak of Link’s Awakening as the secret best Zelda game. That’s a tough call to make, but it’s definitely one of the best.”
- The Sixth Axis (8/10) – “With a quirkiness to it that stands out from the rest of the series, Link’s Awakening still holds up beautifully well as a modern 2D Zelda game. Outside of some nagging performance issues, Link’s Awakening is a wonderful remake of a Game Boy classic.”
Related Products
Other Products
Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch OLED
Some external links on this page are affiliate links, if you click on our affiliate links and make a purchase we might receive a commission.
