The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Bibliographic Information:

• Title: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
• Developer: Grezzo
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Release Date: September 20, 2019

Genre: Action-Adventure Game

Format: Video Game

Awards: (Wikipedia, 2021)

• Gamescon 2019 : Best Nintendo Switch Game
• NAVGTR Awards 2020: Gameplay Design, Original Light Mix Score,
• SWSW Gaming Awards 2020: Excellence in Art

Rating/Interest Level: E- Everyone

Game Description: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is a remake of the 1993 game for Nintendo’ Game Boy. It is an action-adventure game with a birds-eye view perspective. Link, the main character, is stranded on an island after his ship was caught in a storm. Link goes on a quest to collect eight instruments needed to escape the island. As in previous Legend of Zelda games, the island is an open map with dungeons located thought the land. Puzzles need to be solved and bosses defeated in order to advance to higher levels.

Reaction/Interest: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening got great reviews from teens and adults. It is described as being “fun but challenging, forces you to use your brain, and has a lot to do” (Common Sense Media, 2020). The downside of the game is that it would be easy for anyone who has previously played Legend of Zelda games.

Critical Evaluation: The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening is an action adventure game that is part of The Legend of Zelda franchise. Unlike it’s predecessors, this game is not as dark. The game has a birds-eye view perspective and side scrolling screens. The characters are cartoonish and child-like as opposed to other games where they are scary. The scenery is colorful and interesting. The game entails problem solving and hunting for clues and the player needs to be focused on the mission. It is not as difficult as previous Zelda games but its still challenging. I found the game a little confusing at first, but quickly got the hang of it. It was enjoyable and fun and just the right level of difficulty.

Creative Use for a Library Program: A fun activity for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening would be to have the teens create their own maps of Koholint Island or Hyrule, where the Legend of Zelda games take place. The maps could could contain secret dungeons and passages and other features from the game.

Speed-Round Game Talk: Washed ashore on Koholint Island, Link embarks on a quest to find eight instruments of the Sirens to awaken the legendary Wind Fish and ultimately escape the island! Can you help Link battle monsters, solve puzzles, follow clues, and beat bosses to obtain his goal? Find out in The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening for Nintendo Switch!

Potential Challenge Issues and Defenses: There is mild violence, magic, and monsters in this game. As far as adventure video games, it is pretty tame and not very dark. Some people might object to the use of magic and mythical creatures but I do not think it will be much of a problem.

Reason for Inclusion: This is a fun, not too heavy adventure game where the player needs to figure out clues to get to the next level. The Legend of Zelda games and companion books are very popular with teens and I think they would enjoy this game.

References:

Common Sense Media. (2020). The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-links-awakening

Nintendo. (2019, June 11). The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – Nintendo Switch trailer. [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtC6U8hOZTk&ab_channel=Nintendo

Wikipedia. (2021, March 19). The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:Link%27s_Awakening(2019_video_game)