The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening review

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening ranks sixth and is the easiest place on this list for a newcomer to start. Nintendo's 2019 remake keeps the Game Boy story: Link washes up on Koholint Island and must wake the Wind Fish by clearing a series of dungeons. The store page lists a rearranged soundtrack, more equippable items, a review option for key conversations and a Chamber Dungeons mode where you place rooms from finished dungeons on a grid to build your own. Zelda amiibo open exclusive chambers, and a free Switch 2 update adds improved image quality and HDR. It is a 5.9 GB install and costs $59.99, the same as Echoes of Wisdom, which is a lot for an adventure that follows a 1993 design. If you only want the original, Link's Awakening DX is part of the Nintendo Switch Online Game Boy library. We did not play-test it for this ranking.

Who it is for

newcomers and younger players

Price

$59.99 one-time on Nintendo's US store.

The Legend of Zelda™: Link’s Awakening 9/20/19 Regular Price: $59.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Remake of the Game Boy game on Koholint Island
• Rearranged classic soundtrack
• Chamber Dungeons mode lets you arrange your own dungeons
• amiibo open exclusive chambers
• Free Switch 2 update adds improved image quality and HDR

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Smallest install among the Switch games at 5.9 GB
• Strength: Gentle difficulty suits first-time Zelda players
• Strength: Original Link's Awakening DX is also in the Switch Online Game Boy library
• Weakness: $59.99 for a shorter adventure
• Weakness: Single player only
• Weakness: Content mirrors a 1993 game

Key facts

• Release date: September 20, 2019
• Players: 1
• File size (Switch): 5.9 GB
• Setting: Koholint Island
• Switch 2: Free update with HDR

Where it ranks

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is No. 7 in our Best Zelda Games verdict.