The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a classic game that has a devoted legion of fans. These fans were extremely pleased to learn about Nintendo remaking the game for the Switch, but there has been some controversy surrounding the game. This is not about the visuals since while some dislike the look chosen; most do like it. I am instead referring to the fact that this is a full price game and not a cheaper game. Many feel that since this is a remake of an existing game, it should be cheaper and Nintendo is just price gouging, but this is not the case.
The remake of Link’s Awakening is exactly that, a remake. The term remake and remaster have become synonymous lately, but they are not the same thing. A remaster is often a touch up of an existing game, while a remake is more often a rebuilding of the entire game. The latter is the case with Link’s Awakening, and the developers have in fact put a lot of work into this. The game had to be recreated in a new 3D world and the physics also had to be changed. Everything will function slightly differently, and it is much more than a new coat of paint. Add to that, the music has also been re-recorded and given new life for this version.
But to those who say this is just a 1:1 remake, that is not the case either. The remake has made several changes that we know of already, and there is no doubt more we do not know. Some of the changes in the remake, include the fact that your sword, shield, the Power Bracelet, and the Pegasus Boots are always equipped like was the case in A Link To The Past. This takes advantage of the controls on the Switch and you will not need to constantly be switching between items., The developers also enabled the ability to fast forward the descriptions of the Compass and other items, so you do not have to sit through the same description each time. They also altered the Guardian Acorn and Piece of Power items, so they now run on a short timer, making them less game breaking and less annoying.
Then we have the major changes such as the addition of a dungeon maker mode. This is a brand-new feature that fans have wanted for a long time, and it is finally coming. It is not known if these can be shared online, but that is a possibility no doubt. The trailer that revealed this mode also teased other changes as it showed other new additions like bottles, which were not in the original game. amiibo will play a role in the game as well, and it is possible Nintendo still has some details about amiibo not yet disclosed. Link’s Awakening was known for its cameos from other games, and it is very possible that amiibo from other series will play a role in the game via cameos as well. It is also possible that we may get some new cameos also that we do not yet know about.
Lastly, we must bring up the changes that we know will likely be made. Nintendo has been placing Hero Modes in their Zelda games for the last few entries, and there is no doubt they will do that here. There will also possibly be a rearranging of the dungeons as a second quest in some way for a second playthrough instead, which is something else Nintendo likes to experiment with. Nintendo has Given that Nintendo has made changes to address fan complaints about the original, the lackluster final dungeon will most definitely be redone as well. And these are just the changes we can guess at, as Nintendo no doubt has many surprises left to show.
People who criticize the pricing really need to take all of this into account, as the game more than merits its full price. This author played the original and is excited to play the remake and see what is new. You should definitely look to go into this one with an open mind.
Nice article, and I agree. But I really wish you guys used some line spacing and maybe a bigger font. Hard to read for me. But good article.
I hear ya, I hear ya….. that all being said…. this is the same price as Breath of the Wild?!?!?