The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019 video game)
![]() | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Link's Awakening. (Discuss) Proposed since June 2019. |
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening | |
---|---|
"The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening" printed in a stylized font, with a palm tree situated to the right | |
Developer(s) | Nintendo |
Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
Series | The Legend of Zelda |
Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
Release | 2019 |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening[a] is an upcoming action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Switch. It is a remake of the eponymous 1993 game for the Game Boy. The game retains the original title's top-down perspective and gameplay elements, while featuring a "retro-modern" art style unique within the series, with toy-like character designs and tilt-shift visuals. It is planned to be released in 2019.
Gameplay
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is an action-adventure game with a top-down perspective.[1][2] Its story is set on Koholint Island, where Link, the player character, washes up after his ship is caught up in a storm.[3][4] Similar to other games in the Zelda series, the player traverses an open world with dungeons scattered throughout, featuring puzzle-solving sections and boss fights.[5] In contrast to other top-down games in the series however, Link's Awakening allows the player to jump over obstacles and onto platforms,[6] and also features side-scrolling platforming sections.[7][8]
Development
![Top-down view of a room with back spaces around it, where a person is evading attacks from two enemies](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f5/Links_awakening_switch.jpg/220px-Links_awakening_switch.jpg)
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is an eponymous remake of the 1993 game developed for the Game Boy.[9][10] Link's Awakening had previously been remastered for the Game Boy Color in 1998.[1] While the original game was presented in 2D graphics in a square ratio on the Game Boy, the remake is presented in 3D graphics and a widescreen ratio on the Nintendo Switch.[5][9] Some sections of the game's dungeons do not fill the width of the screen though, as certain puzzles and boss fights were designed to work with the tile count of the game's original square ratio.[5] The game adopts a "retro-modern" art style distinct from other games in the series,[2][6] departing from the original game's A Link to the Past-inspired art style while retaining its simplicity.[11][12] The game's toy-like plasticine character designs also depart from the Wind Waker-inspired designs typical of top-down Zelda games since the release of Four Swords Adventures.[1][11][13] Its visual presentation features a tilt-shift effect that exaggerates the camera's perspective and depth of field.[11][8]
Release
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening was announced via a trailer showcased during the edition of February 13, 2019 of Nintendo Direct.[4][14] The game will be published by Nintendo, and is currently scheduled for a release in 2019 for the Nintendo Switch,[3][4] distributed digitally via the Nintendo eShop, and on physical game cards through retailers.[15]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c McWhertor, Michael (February 13, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake coming to Nintendo Switch". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
As Link, players will once again return to the island of Koholint for new adventures. While the new Link's Awakening will retain the top-down — and occasionally side-scrolling — view of the Game Boy original, the Switch remake will use 3D models and employ a stylish, toy-like aesthetic.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Dornbush, Jonathon (February 13, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake for Nintendo Switch Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Link's Awakening on Switch retains a top-down camera style but set in a world realized in fully 3D animation. Characters are 3D models, and the art style is new to the series.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Young, Rory (February 13, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Remake Announced for Nintendo Switch". GameRant. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening will release exclusively on the Switch in 2019. [...] His ship, caught in a storm, crashes and Link is stranded on Koholint Island.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Devore, Jordan (February 13, 2019). "Zelda: Link's Awakening is back with an oh-so-adorable remake for Switch". Destructoid. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Closing out today's Nintendo Direct, the company revealed a super cute Nintendo Switch "reimagining" of the classic handheld adventure The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. [...] We'll return to Koholint Island sometime this year.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Altano, Brian (February 16, 2019). "6 Questions We Have About The Zelda: Link's Awakening Switch Remake". IGN. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
The biggest change so far [...] is the new widescreen presentation for the overworld traversal (the original version had square aspect ratio) [...] However, the dungeon sections currently have black bars on the sides of them since overhauling the tile counts in each dungeon room would throw off certain puzzles, boss fights, stage layouts and more...
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Ingraham, Nathan (February 14, 2019). "The 'Link's Awakening' remake could be the start of something special". Engadget. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Over the years, other essential games like A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker and Twilight Princess have either been remastered or at the very least made available on Nintendo's various virtual or classic consoles. [...] The company showed off a trailer with a gorgeous retro-modern style [...] it's the first top-view Zelda game where Link can jump.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Kain, Erik (February 13, 2019). "'The Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening' Is Coming To The Nintendo Switch In 2019". Forbes. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
There are top-down sections, side-scrolling sections...
{{cite web}}
: Check|archiveurl=
value (help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Buckley, Sean (February 13, 2019). "Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening remake announced for Nintendo Switch". CNET. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Link's Awakening for Nintendo Switch looks almost like a stop-motion film shot from above, exaggerating its overhead perspective with a blurred, depth-of-field focus. It seems like an extremely faithful recreation of the original title too, from the preserved layout of the town to the game's unique, side-scrolling platforming sections.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Gartenberg, Chaim (February 13, 2019). "The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is getting a 3D Switch remake". The Verge. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
...a new, 3D remake of the Game Boy classic The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. [...] which will see the 8-bit Game Boy graphics redone in a bright, colorful, and absolutely adorable-looking 3D style...
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Knezevic, Kevin (February 15, 2019). "Zelda: Link's Awakening -- Nintendo Remaking Classic Game Boy Title For Switch". Gamespot. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Nintendo closed out its latest Direct presentation by unveiling a remake of the beloved Game Boy game The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening...
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Marks, Tom (February 14, 2019). "Every Art Style Zelda Games Have Ever Had". IGN. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
Just after Wind Waker, the GameCube spin-off of the GBA Four Swords mode was the first 2D Zelda game to start drifting away from Link to the Past's look. [...] the newly announced remake of Link's Awakening is also moving away from the original's Link to the Past inspired style and into something we've (again) never really seen before. The almost plasticine look and beady eyes of its characters is totally different than both A Link Between Worlds and the Wind Waker look that many previous 2D Zeldas draw from. [...] It even appears to be using a tilt-shift blur effect in some areas...
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Oxford, Nadia (February 14, 2019). "Why Didn't The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Switch Remake Follow in the Footsteps of A Link Between Worlds?". USgamer. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
...I think it's an excellent HD adaptation of the adorably simplistic style utilized by the original game.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Barder, Ollie (February 14, 2019). "The 'Zelda: Link's Awakening' Remake On The Switch Has Hit Me Right In The Childhood". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
...and what with the fantastic and newly animated opening from the game to the wondrous toy-like art style of the game itself...
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Francis, Bryant (February 13, 2019). "Mario Maker 2 and a Link's Awakening remake drive today's Nintendo Direct". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
...today's Nintendo Direct briefing was bookended with news that Super Mario Maker 2 and a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening will be landing on the Nintendo Switch.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Lane, Gavin (February 19, 2019). "Talking Point: Is The Remake Of Zelda: Link's Awakening Worth $60?". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on February 24, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
Retailer pre-order listings are putting it as a full $60 release...
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help)
External links
- Articles to be merged from June 2019
- Action-adventure games
- Nintendo Switch games
- Nintendo Switch-only games
- The Legend of Zelda video games
- Top-down video games
- Upcoming video games scheduled for 2019
- Single-player video games
- Video games about dreams
- Video games developed in Japan
- Video game remakes
- Video games set on fictional islands