After reading these comments, I think I can now see the true reason why a lot of you wanted me to review this game specifically. I didn't know a lot of people were introduced to the series with Link's Awakening, I always thought the main jumping points were A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time.
Links Awakening has Marin. Best girl cause she can sing and can harmonize with the Ocarina. Speaking of music, The Ballad of the Wind Fish, Mabe Village, and Tal Tal Heights are some of my favorite video game songs ever. Links Awakening is one of the first games I ever played too: Until college, I never beat it. I’m so happy that it also got a remake.
I feel that something similar could've been done with the power bracelet like double-tapping A, but either Nintendo didn't think of such an innovation at the time or there were hardware limitations within the GB that prevented such a feature (i.e. the device couldn't read two quick button presses as a separate input from a single button press)
The latency with the original Gameboy was terrible when a game wanted you to press precise button combinations. Stuff like double tapping the bomb button to pick up a bomb in the original release barely worked at times. Not an excuse for why the DX version didn't fix this, but the control design, like alot of the design of this game, was done because of the limitations of the hardware at the time. Go back and play the original Pokemon Red, sure it plays alright but has tons of monotonous breaks having you go through menu after menu, because the Gameboy had such high restrictions in terms of how much it could show on the screen at the same time. Overall, as much fun as I had with it as a mobile game, because it is split up into nice chunks, this would have made a fantastic SNES game that would have been an amazing sequel to ALttP.
If only. My god it would make the game so much better. And if you could turn and keep your speed in this game or ALTTP... shit it would make those games so much better. And the real pain is that it wasn't a lack of ability on the hardware end. It was simply a bad decision.
I disagree. It seems odd how they set the shield up in Link's Awakening. That being said, I will admit that I never noticed an issue with its use until Johnny brought it up, and that's because the shield isn't really that useful in this game. Whatever the shield blocks, the sword can do just as well. The only thing the shield is needed for is knocking over those spiked enemies. Oh, and pushing those sea urchins in the beginning of the game.
mario and zelda have always had crossovers, they're the same creator after all. in LoZ there is the SMB warp whistle. They were both in NES Tetris and a bunch of subsequent games like Mario Golf.
Let’s expand on this shall we? Samus appears in Kirby’s Dreamland 3, Metroid like creatures appear in Kid Icarus called Komaytos, Birdo Little Mac and The Flower Fairy Lip appear in Captain Rainbow for the Wii (Japan only), Yoshi Dolls in Metal Gear Solid 3D Snake Eater. Warioware, Kirby and Starfy being in theater posters in Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga, Mr. Game and Watch being in Donkey Kong Country Returns, Link's name being mentioned in a Final Fantasy game on a gravestone, Pacman in a Mario Kart game, Cranky Kong's Video game Heroes! Link, Mario and Yoshi being in......... no wait there's more Sonic's shoes and Earthworm Jim's blaster gun being in Donkey Kong Country 2!!! The video game World is pretty small if you think about it and do the research.
he said he didn't grow up with that game. i grew up with it as a teenager, and yes, the "Ballad of the Windfish" is the first thing i think of...especially Link's ocarina duet with Marin.
NEVER. Link between World looks like shit. I would like the whole world look as if drawn by crayons but still keep the dark/overgrown/mysterious look. The artstile of LBW would ruin this game.
Clashman The Third Not sure why he hates it, but while I like the the art design, I would like just a little hint of the lighting they added to the Wind waker HD, on to the engine. Even if they didnt, I would still die from an announcement of a remake.
Man I cant say how much this game was good back in the days. I think this game marked me even more than a LTTP. Johnny you forgot to mention about the salemen in this game; if you leave the shop without paying he will kill you the next time you come shopping.
I think Maron's relationship with Link was a good enough reason for us to care about making the island disappear. It also has many lively characters like you stated. Zelda games never had much characters related to the story to begin with. But Link's gotta do what he's gotta do. I think he did care about Maron though. His face showed him reflecting upon that at the end. He is silent after all. Expressions is about the only thing he can do :P lol! Good review.
I think part of the reason that Link's Awakening's plot doesn't tug at your heartstrings, after thinking about it and rewatching the video, is that this game is a product of a much earlier age. This was before all the sweeping storylines and deep plots in video games. When I was a kid, this plot affected me enough that I refused to believe it was a dream right up until the very end. That's the sort of thing it did to me. Nowadays? It wouldn't even make me bat an eyelash. But my biggest problem with this video, from the very first moment I watched it until now, is that you don't seem to understand the whole concept of being the "Link between the player and the game." You keep acting like you're waiting to see Link's reactions, what he thinks or wondering how he's assessing the situation...but in these early games, Link's reaction and feelings to a situation WERE WHAT YOU WERE FEELING ABOUT THE SITUATION. Link has no expression (or potential to express) because he is meant to be YOU. It is only games after Majora's Mask that started to give Link more characterization and feelings. It's all meant to be YOU, and I feel by divorcing yourself from the experience and expecting Link to emote for you, you've lost some of the magic. But, again, this could be because of the games' age.
+UmbreonMessiah Yeah, I've been watching his videos lately (as a newcomer) and he seems to have high standards for stories, even in old games. Off the top of my head he didn't seem very impressed with SMRPG or EarthBound (and praised Final Fantasy in one of them, maybe both) which, to me, says that he just doesn't really care too much for simple and lighthearted stories, at least not when there's an alternative. But like I said, I haven't seen even close to all of his videos yet, so there may be some exceptions.
I'm normally not a big fan of silent protagonists, but this game (as welll as Majora's Mask) is one of the rare instances I feel it works to the story's advantage. The reason I'm okay with Link not really having a character in this is because he doesn't actually need one. The plot in these games focuses less on Link himself and more on the people around him, thus leaving Link blank allows the player to form his own interpretations about the circumstances; which I believe was what was intended. That, I think, is why Johnny maybe didn't get into it as much: we interpreted it differently. For example, when I played I looked at it more from the perspective of "Is it right to take their home away to get mine back?"
legend of zelda are truly remarkable series with legendary deep storytelling, like how connected they are because when you get hook up on this series, you will sometimes often talk within urself is this Link are the same Link? why do I feel like Ocarina of Time is the special series of all time?('cos it's the series that gave birth to other series through split timeline why not;time travel reference baby!!) & other things like temple of time & master sword.
This may be nostalgia talking since I played this game when I was young, but I honestly love this game. Hell, the shield may be an assignable item, but it is more USEFUL than the shields in the previous games, at least to me.
The use of the shield as an item also followed in every Zelda games after that, just that there was more buttons on the controller so they could dedicate a button for that.
I'm sorry but I really gotta disagree with this review. There's a reason Link's character is not built up. There's a reason you don't know whether Link cares about the island disappearing or anything in it: YOU are Link. Whatever you are feeling, is what Link is feeling. Nobody cares about you? What about Ulrira, and the otherI think you really downplayed the relationship between Link and Marin. What about the scene where you look out over the ocean with her? That is one of the most touching scenes in any Zelda game ever, 3D or 2D. That connection they have makes the ending that much more sad and emotional.There are connections made between other Zelda games and this game as well. The cameos of Ganon, Agahnim, and other older Zelda bosses during the fight with Nightmare bring to mind the fact that Nightmare is feeding off of Link's fears. That's some good subtle character development there.The music isn't memorable?! Granted, you did say you had only played this game twice, but I've only played through once 10 years ago and haven't played it again since then and I still randomly have the themes of Mabe Village, Tal Tal Heights, the Mysterious Woods, and the Ballad of the Windfish pop into my head. I personally know many others who would agree with me, and there are even more in the comments here too. I guess maybe if you're not a Zelda enthusiast it won't stick as well though. So I'll give you that. It could just be how much I loved the game helped me absorb the themes that much better.
thing is whenever the player's feeling is, to actually beat the game you must awake the wind fish, but the game doesn't really give you a good reason onto why you should be doing this, you want to escape sure, but they putted in that consequences that are pretty serious, but you just still do it, being selfish because you are killing an entire island with his persons just for the sake of escaping, like if i was link i would just not awake him
Except, it is because Link is selfless that he awakens the Wind Fish. The people of Koholint do not exist. The people of Hyrule very much do, and likely need his assistance. Koholint seems to be fine on its own, while Hyrule is taken over by a new evil every 3 minutes. If Link stayed asleep forever, he would be dooming his own country.
Doesn't change the fact that outside of Marin, hardly anyone has any personality or is memorable in any way. It makes it really hard to to care for the whole island when only one character has any development. And i don't think Link is afraid of Ganon, Agahnim or any of the bosses he fought before. It feels like you are reaching for something that it isn't there. I mean, this kid picked up his uncle's sword without hesitation and went on to save Hyrule. If there was any time he should have been afraid it would have been then and not in this game.
Your objections to some of the game's shortcomings aren't necessarily wrong, but I feel that you're too tough on it and aren't considering the limitations of the Gameboy enough. Especially when it comes to the controls and inventory management, I really don't see how you could expect anything better. There are only two action buttons! Having the shield be a passive, automatic thing would have affected other aspects of the game, such as the spiky guys you can only push with the shield or those turtle things you have to flip over. It would be too easy, if Link were just permanently blocking at all times. You also mentioned that the Power Bracelet should be automatic, though I'm curious how you expect this to work out in practice without occupying one of the buttons. Would Link just pick up every rock he walks into? I think that would be annoying, and players would then be complaining that the bracelet wasn't an item like everything else. Honestly, this is one of the best games the Gameboy has, and probably the only real way to produce a Zelda game with this level of depth and complexity on such primitive hardware.
A game's hardware limitations do not make it a better game or experience. If it detracts from the game, it detracts from the game. You shouldn't "go easy" on a game for any reason. You can acknowledge that there are certain things outside of the developers control that hold them back, but it still does not improve the game.
I too would like to see that. That series is my favorite amongst the Legend of Zelda games released on the handhelds. Yes, I even consider them a bit better than A Link Between Worlds, but only marginally.
Since you are, by your own admission, not a Zelda enthusiast, I can forgive you for not realizing that what Link feels in any given scenario (at least in games before WW) was what YOU felt. As for the memorable music thing, I don't think there's a song in this game that _isn't_ memorable. Tal Tal Heights, Overworld, Syrup's theme, the dungeon theme, all very catchy.
Thing is, no matter your feelings, you are just kind of doing it, and feelings could potentially stop you from erasing the island since they don't give you solid reasons to do so, but as a player you just need to beat the game, when you can really just not want to do it but there is no other ending to that matter
There's a Link's Awakening manga that explains Link's purpose in the story and shows that he was reluctant to wake the Wind Fish since he invited Marin to Hyrule. On a personal note I don't like to see or want to see Link & Zelda as a couple, because to me it doesn't make sense due to the little romance brewing between Link & Marin in Link's Awakening. The possible romance between Link & Zelda makes sense in Skyward Sword (maybe even Hyrule Warriors if you count that), but in any other game I don't see it. Yes, even though Marin doesn't really exist, but Malon is good fit though. This is my number 1 favorite Zelda game. Although, Link's Awakening it's the fifth highest selling in the series, I feel that it doesn't get the recognition it deserves which is shame.After all, it did create gameplay elements and characters which are still being used in Zelda now.
One summer around nine years ago, I was searching for a review of Link's Awakening, and I stumbled upon this video. After watching, I decided I enjoyed what I saw and saw the rest of the Johnny Vs series, which at that point you were doing the Mega Man marathon. Nine years later, I'm still watching your channel. Glad I clicked on this video way back when, otherwise I wouldn't be making videos either.
Link's Awakening is my favorite Zelda game. It's amazing how much the game does with so little. Such a touching, poignant story. And Tal Tal Heights is undoubtedly the *raddest* piece of music in Zelda.
Me too. While it can be annoying in some specific parts, I don't agree that it could be handled differently. I mean, there's only two buttons in Gameboy. Just how could they port the entirety of Link's arsenal to this game, while actually introducing new items and mechanics?
Perhaps my very favorite Zelda title. Keep in mind I beat OOT/MM/WW/MC/TP/SS all BEFORE playing this on 3DS eshop. No nostalgia factor and yet it easily makes my top 3.
I started a Zelda marathon from first to last in August since I have never touched any Zelda title. Currently playing MM and this is my favorite still. Really got me hooked in.
That is why we love Johnny so much. He reviewed a game he didn't even plan on doing just b/c his fans wanted him too. That is why I am a fan of Johnny.
The Gameboy and Gameboy color Zelda games are still, even after all this time, my favorite in the series. I'm glad to see that link's awakening will be remade and released on the switch very soon. Perhaps you'll give it another go when it comes out?
My first, and favorite Zelda. I know I know, the nostalgia definitely creates a bias. But as BrianQuest64 said previously in these comments, it is a GameBoy game that can realistically compete with an SNES game, and it holds its own. Not to mention, I had the original non-color game, and I STILL prefer it to A Link To The Past. This is NOT a knock on A Link To The Past though, as that game is a VERY close second to Link's Awakening. And If I had played ALTTP first, it'd likely be my fav.
My first zelda was ocarina of time i hate it My second was TP its my favorite also ive played every zelda game exept for PH FSA and MM wich ill be getting for the 3ds.
onesonicguy My hatred for Ocarina of Time is my personal perspective dont act rude just because of it. considering youre the one throwing shit at me i would say youre the one who should be quiet.
If you hate the game, then that's fine. I respect your opinion, but if it's so personal to you, then why are you telling everyone that you hate it like they care? I thought that something being personal was something that you want to keep to yourself, not tell the internet.
Thats what the internet is for. Dont like it? Too bad feel free to state your own opinion right here but i have all my right to state me personal opinion right here to why so you think youtubers do top 10's because they share Their opinon.
Really, really disagree about the last two dungeons, which I feel are two of the best 2d Zelda dungeons in the series. Beyond the disagreement, I think it is inexcusable that you would fail to mention the 4th floor of Eagle Tower CRASHING INTO the 3rd floor, as if it wasn't an incredible, memorable, epic moment. Come on bro.
The problem is I think you and I have bias. From what I gather he never played it as a kid. When this game came out, I could never stop playing it. The moments like finding out about the dream world, The 7th dungeon collapsing onto itself and the fact that this was my first Zelda means it will remain my absolute favorite. Unfortunately this guy came into this with different expectations and standards. Sad, but oh well. I beat this game 3 times on my GBA, 3 times on my 3ds and now that I recently got into emulation am just finishing up my first play though on PC. Still love every moment.
Very true! When I was a kid, this is the only game I owned on the Gameboy he called a brick, I played it to death. Everything about this game is nothing short of bizarre to me, from the story to the dungeons, and the overall sense of "open world". We didn't have internet back then, and I'm still amazed today how I got all the puzzles figured out, as a kid! This is my first Zelda, I'm not sure if it's nolstalgia, but it's been my all time favorite Zelda game.
Link has had a musical since Zelda 1- although you only heard one tune, that one tune did a few things. It weakened Digdogger, it opened secrets in the overworld especially in the 2nd Quest (Graveyard, Bushes, Deserts, Dead Ponds aka Where no faeries live etc.) and technically using it when you are sword jinxed by bubbles helps the time pass before you regain your A button. Most importantly the Recorder also acts as a warp point to each of the beaten Levels. Talk about a versatile tune!!! Zelda ll- had a flute or Whistle? although not as interesting or applicable as Zelda 1's it does kill the River Devil, beyond that not sure what else it does.
I grew up on the Nes, Snes, Gameboy and Sega Gen ; On the original mario, zelda and sonic games. And when I was a kid they were considered very outdated, with the ps1, and N64 being all the rage. My family was poor, and my mom picked up the old consoles at thrift stores for dirt cheap. (For they were not yet valued vintage, or collectable.) In fact Mario 3, or Zelda went for about 5 or 6 bucks each at a pawn shop or value village. (with them being between 20 and 30 bucks each these days.) First game I ever remember playing was Nes Super Mario Bros. I was only four at the time. picked up my sega when I was six. By the time I was eight I had literally over 80 nes games!! and over 40 Sega games. When I was almost nine I traded my consoles and ALL my games at a video game shop, for a ps1 and 4 measly games. I regretted it, and do to this day. Now I'm almost Twenty-two ; I have those consoles again and a good game library, but it's been work trying to replace it all since everythings so "Retro and Collectable."
While this game isn't my favorite Zelda game (though it's certainly up there), Eagle's Tower is my all around favorite dungeon. Like Johnny, I only recently got the chance to play LA, and it has been ages since a Zelda game made me stop and think about how to traverse the dungeon at hand. Plus, it has a fairly unique gimmick of having to destroy parts of the dungeon to proceed.
I don't know. I kinda liked the ending. I agree with everything he said about it, but I still thinks it's one of the best ending in a Zelda game. Minus Link to the Past/Between Worlds and probably Majora's Mask.
I got this game a few years back because I remember having a blast with this as a youngster and the game seems to hold up but ive played too many zelda games that it was a breeze but the feels and the music are what kept me tied to this game ive cried a total of 8 times because 8 times was the amount i play the game and beat it
ive actually gone back and played the 3 gameboy zelda games more than any other zelda game, even OOC. Which i really cant explain why i like them more lol
happy 30th anniversary the legend of zelda:link's awakening!!! :3 outside the gameplay limitations i enjoyed this game as i love the visuals(really love how expressive link is that he's my favorite alongside wind waker/botw.),story(would've liked for the remake it showed link's reactions to the reveal but still liked it more than other zelda stories as it's more memorable without zelda,ganon or the triforce shoved in.),power ups & the charm of koholint island with it's people(cared for them more than anyone in hyrule outside wind waker/botw.),sidequest(especially the nintendo cameos.),photographs(love these the most and wish they came back in the remake.) and marin(do agree for the ending it could've ended with zelda picking up link on a ship with how it came after the oracle games.).
I'd say this along with MM are 2 of the most unique and refreshing Zelda titles. I love the liberties and creative freedom the developement team had with this (mario cameos/ side scrolling bits etc). Its one of my very favorite games of all time, honestly...amazes me how an 8 bit game over 20 years old can be so immersive and charming.
"the stories do not connect at all" That's not entirely true. The true ending of the oracles of seasons and ages games (after combining playthroughs via the code system) Link sails off (from either Holodrum or Lybranna depending on what game you ended up playing second) on a boat. Which I'm pretty sure is the same boat at the beginning of Links Awakening.
Loved this game as a kid. When I was yound I really wanted the Zelda watch, the idea of a portable legend of zelda was amazing! So obviously I was thrilled when the gameboy game was released.
I totally agree with the item management and a little about the story criticisms. However, I disagree with the rest. This is one awesome game and one of my favorite Zeldas, even though I just got to play it last year on the 3DS.
OOOOOOO I disagree with a lot of these comments! You really undersold a spectacular game here! I know it's all just down to personal opinion but seriously... Your criticisms range from being overly harsh to flat-out wrong! For one thing, the shield in Link's Awakening was way more effective than in LTTP! Comparing this game to A Link to the Past is rather unfair but I'd argue that in some ways Link's Awakening is superior. Sure, the island is smaller than Hyrule but it's crammed full of stuff. Due to technological limitations they were forced to optimize every single pixel, which shows terrific design skill. The story wasn't very fleshed out- as you said- but it had more story than any previous Zelda game. Marin received more characterization than Zelda ever did (I know that's not saying much) and the "twist" in the ending may have been about as cliche as it gets but again... it's still more interesting than previous Zelda endings. And the music... how COULD you?! The Ballad of the Wind Fish, the Tal Tal Mountain song... 8-bit bliss! What's LTTP done for music lately? Yeah... okay, there was the Hyrule Castle theme. Damn, that was good! I could go on. But I really shouldn't. Think I might go and play A Link to the Past now :)
Wouldn't it be more like comparing Donkey Kong Country to Donkey Kong Land. Both good games but an SNES game is inevitably gonna be superior its Game Boy equivalent, regardless of which came out first. Although I'm now racking my brain trying to think of a counter example. Any thoughts?
Clearly not. I said that aspects of Link's Awakening are better. My point was that Link's Awakening is a superb game and it can hold its own with the other great Zelda titles. It's definitely a Game Boy masterpiece. But LTTP is a Super Nintendo masterpiece. Nothing can really beat that!
Straight up, the only connection between the Oracle games and this one, is if you beat both oracle games with the passwords, your ending screen shows Link sailing away in a boat that looks like the one in the intro to this game. Of course, this is now meaningless cause Nintendo moved Link's Awakening yet again. lol
Honestly turtle rock was one of my favorite dungeons even though the boss sucked you should make a review for minish cap since it has one if the best stories in zelda
I don't want the rocks to disappear, I want the Power Bracelet to be permanently attached to my wrists. Couldn't I just press a button near a rock to lift it up after nabbing the bracelet?
***** If you couldn't care less, that means you just don't care. But literally not caring means there is not a single thing in the world you care less about.
Credits theme is: Majora's Mask "Ballad of the Wind Fish" (Complete version) You can play this song by useing all 4 instruments in the Milk Bar at East Clock Town.
Dude, it's just a hint to check the game's soundtrack since it's a song from there. You guys don't need to get huffy about it. I don't remember what it's called but I do know it's from there. It's actually a little easy to tell if you listen carefully. Knowing that much can give you an idea where to search. Here are the listed instruments from that song. Link's Ocarina Goron Link's Drums Zora Link's Guitar And Deku Link's "Tuba"
Much like everyone else here, this was my first _Zelda_ game and is one of my Top 5 _Zelda_ games because of that. And this SUPER late, considering, but Marin's fate in a no death run of the game actually depends on the version you're playing. In the DX version she becomes a seagull, as mentioned. In the original version, though, she remains as is, but gains a pair of wings, effectively becoming an angel. I honestly prefer her ending from the original game since she remains human instead of becoming a sea pigeon.
Actually Johnny, the real award for finishing the trading sidequest is getting some magnifying lens, which will help you read a book in the library, which in turn tells you how to get through the egg. So yeah, the sidequest is kind of necessary, unless you feel like stumbling around blindly for hours. For the boomerang, though, you just have to bomb a wall somewhere at the beach, and voila, boomerang.
@Slevin I don't think understanding something like that necessary in making a review. That's what perfer. Different strokes for different folks, i guess
Exactly. This review judges the game's story against the standards of today's games. The Zelda games on GB and GBC were actually some of the most intricate stories on those handhelds.
Did anyone else get stuck at the part where you had to get gold leafs, and there was a door which you had to throw a pot at to open it. Man that took me forever to figure out, also it was bullshit, not a single hint to the door being able to open like that.
Hyrule Historia also revealed that the Oracle games were sequels to A Link to the Past, and that all four games (ALttP, OoS, OoA, and LA) star the same Link.
Indeed. I can have the shield placed in front of me as I'm moving and not only take no damage at all from projectiles, but even not take any damage from directly touching enemies. The shield is much more effective because of this.
Yes, I am taking time to comment on a three (nearly four) year old video. Why? Motivated by the spirit of the review, I suppose: Link's Awakening has some issues, mostly just minor irritations and *then* justified by hardware limitations and/or design principles of the time. He did not say this was a bad game, but he presented a more negative image than the game deserves, I think... much like I'll probably end up making his review look worse than I mean to by pointing out the issues with *it.* ;) Having to go into the menu to switch equipped items is irritating, but it is just worth a sentence. Hardware limitations (possibly more than just the lack of extra buttons) resulted in the control scheme we got. It allowed us to do cool things by mixing and matching items, like bomb tipped arrows. *BOMB* *ARROWS!* Losing the automatic defense from the shield hurt a bit, *but* that is just control evolving. Would it not be lame if Link couldn't swing or stab but *just* constantly held his sword in front of him, so that to attack you had to bump enemies? That over simplification is how they handled shield usage. Link's Awakening allowed you to push around certain enemies with the shield. The real complaint is that it ought to have done more. Finally... if the music in this game isn't memorable, that is a you problem. *No,* _not_ personal taste: you can hate it, love it, or something in between. The Ballad of the Wind Fish is central to the game and you repeatedly here versions of it throughout; if you don't remember it, that's on you. So... yeah I make this sound like a terrible video by focusing on such small things, but that is kind of what the video does to the game, in a similar manner. Though bomb arrows really were worth mentionging: makes me wonder if Johnny never realized items could "blend" like that.
You are the first person I ever see complain about defending being an action in this game. Literally everyone else I talked to think it is an improvement over passive shield, though now that I say this I'm sure someone will reply to this comment saying they also prefer passive. The fact most (if not all) Zelda games after this stuck with active defense is probably a testment to this. Also, no music comes to mind? What about Ballad of the Wind Fish? How come that doesn't spring to mind immediately when you think of Link's Awakening. About whether or not Link cares or not... Well do you fucking care or not? Link in this game is the kind of Silent Protagonist that works as a player avatar. How you feel about the shit going on is way more important. It was not until Wind Waker that Link started growing a personality of his own, and I think holding this against LA while giving a pass to literally every other game this happens is really unfair. I don't know if it's because he played it on a couple of days for a review or something, but I think Johnny is really unfair to this game in general and fail to give it its due credit. Especially in elements it pionereed in the franchise. Aside from the aforementioned active defense, this is the first attempt at a more story focused game, it's the first game outside hyrule, the first game that doesn't deal with Ganon, Zelda and the Triforce, the first game with a Trade quest, and more,. that people keep praising other games for, and completely ignoring the actual origin point. I'm probably more angry about this than I should, but it's getting really tiring seeing Link's Awakening get either ignored or shunned for no fucking reason.
You're right, I never liked the active shielding either. I would play through the GB games almost exclusively without ever using the shield. I should clarify, just like me his gripe isn't really just having to push a button though, he's more upset with having to SWITCH to the shield and removing one of his only two equippable items inorder to have that even available to use. Later games in the series would require you to press a button, but it was a permanently mapped shield button and the shield was always available as long as you had one. Significantly less tedious and limiting. Yeah you have less buttons on the color, SNES, and NES ... which is why until now it didn't require a button press. And the problem I have with the player avatar thing is that it can't really be 'me' when I don't have choices in the story or outcome of the game. Previous titles weren't trying to be as emotional as this one appears to be. They were relatively basic stories about being a simple hero where you were always doing the right thing. Here you've got a more questionable scenario that is thought provoking, and forces you to think about it, but doesn't deal with it. If I, as a player, don't WANT to wake the wind fish, well fuck, better not finish the game. Finishing the game means I do. Which means Link isn't me, he doesn't have my personality, I DON'T have a choice in what happens, even though I'm supposed to question the idea of carrying it out. Which ruins the story or immersion because I don't know what Link himself thinks through this. Cuz it's clearly not what I think.
This is one of my favorite games. Nostalgia has a lot to do with that, because even the faults in the game like constant item switching I find charming in this title.
+KidSnivy96 It may scare off people who would otherwise enjoy a *great* game, however, when he overemphasizes issues. Having to switch around Items *was* worth mentioning. One sentence, unless it was going to be for an "angry reviewer" kind of joke. It is irritating, but the limits of the device make it hard to avoid. Using different combinations of items was part of what made this game deeper than it looked. There weren't a tremendous amount of noteworthy combos, but things like bomb arrows were so worth the hassle. Same for Link actually *using* his shield. Know how Link charges his spin attack by holding his sword in front of him? Imagine if *all* Link did was hold his sword in front of him, and attacking was about moving Link into colliding with an enemy from the proper angle... that is unfortunately how many Zelda games handle using the shield. Link's Awakening allowed you to move at least certain enemies. Both in terms of actual, historical shield usage *and* good game design, shields had both active and passive usage, including some offensive usage as well. So... noting Johnny's nitpicking in the comments? Seems like the best place for it. ;)
That's the Ballad of the Windfish, which is also in Majora's Mask as a side quest. You need all four masks for it, playing the different parts of the zora in the milk bar.
Why are all the people in the comments being such jerks? He didn't make the game out to be awful and just because the system had a lack of buttons doesn't mean he can't bitch about certain problems because of it.
When I saw he complained about the unmarked wall to get the piece of heart I knew he was just using a guide to play this. That's no way to play an exploration game like this. At least not when they will later be complaining.
I really hope Link's Awakening gets a full, fleshed out re-release that actually cashes in on waking up the wind fish equals removing the island from existence and the implications of such a decision.
I've disagreed with the sound and music remarks in several of the reviews I've watched so far (and particularly Zeldas), but it's getting ridiculous. "I can't hum anything from the top of my head". 3 words for ya: Tal Tal Heights.
KidSnivy69 People do love to use that word. If there's one thing that song is not, is overrated. Being as it's barely rated, while being one of the very best little compositions of the early (and to be honest in general) Zeldas, which is saying something.
there is one connection at the end of the Oracle games, after you defeat Ganon, Link sails away and at the beginning his boat gets hit by lightning, I made this connection immediately after I saw the ending
After reading these comments, I think I can now see the true reason why a lot of you wanted me to review this game specifically. I didn't know a lot of people were introduced to the series with Link's Awakening, I always thought the main jumping points were A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time.
Links Awakening has Marin. Best girl cause she can sing and can harmonize with the Ocarina.
Speaking of music, The Ballad of the Wind Fish, Mabe Village, and Tal Tal Heights are some of my favorite video game songs ever.
Links Awakening is one of the first games I ever played too: Until college, I never beat it. I’m so happy that it also got a remake.
Just realized that they could've mapped the Pegasus Boots to double tapping the control pad in one direction
Gamer Rob i don't think that would have worked very well from a top-down perspective...
I feel that something similar could've been done with the power bracelet like double-tapping A, but either Nintendo didn't think of such an innovation at the time or there were hardware limitations within the GB that prevented such a feature (i.e. the device couldn't read two quick button presses as a separate input from a single button press)
The latency with the original Gameboy was terrible when a game wanted you to press precise button combinations. Stuff like double tapping the bomb button to pick up a bomb in the original release barely worked at times. Not an excuse for why the DX version didn't fix this, but the control design, like alot of the design of this game, was done because of the limitations of the hardware at the time.
Go back and play the original Pokemon Red, sure it plays alright but has tons of monotonous breaks having you go through menu after menu, because the Gameboy had such high restrictions in terms of how much it could show on the screen at the same time.
Overall, as much fun as I had with it as a mobile game, because it is split up into nice chunks, this would have made a fantastic SNES game that would have been an amazing sequel to ALttP.
If only. My god it would make the game so much better. And if you could turn and keep your speed in this game or ALTTP... shit it would make those games so much better. And the real pain is that it wasn't a lack of ability on the hardware end. It was simply a bad decision.
That would have been a terrible design choice lmfao.
There are so many pits and traps in this game you'd end up fucking yourself over.
This was my very first Zelda game. NOT having to equip the shield in other games feels weird to me.
Well it wasn't Johnny 's first Zelda game
Matt Greer
or he has played better games
OMG same
I disagree. It seems odd how they set the shield up in Link's Awakening. That being said, I will admit that I never noticed an issue with its use until Johnny brought it up, and that's because the shield isn't really that useful in this game. Whatever the shield blocks, the sword can do just as well. The only thing the shield is needed for is knocking over those spiked enemies. Oh, and pushing those sea urchins in the beginning of the game.
Yeah, it also feels weird to me when the shield cannot be switched out (in 2d games), as I think the only other game that does this is the minish cap.
Link's awakening: making Nintendo crossovers before Super Smash Bros.
mario and zelda have always had crossovers, they're the same creator after all. in LoZ there is the SMB warp whistle. They were both in NES Tetris and a bunch of subsequent games like Mario Golf.
Let’s expand on this shall we?
Samus appears in Kirby’s Dreamland 3, Metroid like creatures appear in Kid Icarus called Komaytos, Birdo Little Mac and The Flower Fairy Lip appear in Captain Rainbow for the Wii (Japan only), Yoshi Dolls in Metal Gear Solid 3D Snake Eater. Warioware, Kirby and Starfy being in theater posters in Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga, Mr. Game and Watch being in Donkey Kong Country Returns, Link's name being mentioned in a Final Fantasy game on a gravestone, Pacman in a Mario Kart game, Cranky Kong's Video game Heroes! Link, Mario and Yoshi being in......... no wait there's more Sonic's shoes and Earthworm Jim's blaster gun being in Donkey Kong Country 2!!!
The video game World is pretty small if you think about it and do the research.
@@brandonwilliams6119 there was also a metroid in tropical freeze and slenderman in one of the other donkey kong games
@@gmabbit that warp whistle debuted in LoZ1. SMB3 borrowed it.
Also, the blocks in the LoZ1 dungeons are the exact same blocks Mario has to climb in order to jump to the top of the flag pole in SMB1
am I the only one who thinks it's weird to call a link to the past zelda 3
Yes
+donovan roberts No
+donovan roberts not really since its Zelda 3. Its like how Super Mario World is Super Mario Bros. 4
or calling Super Metroid, Metroid 3
Carlos Eduardo Aguiar ...despite the fact that Super Metroid CALLS ITSELF "Metroid 3"
"Nothing sticks out this memoriable tho"
*slaps you with the Ballad of the Windfish*
D:
DO. NOT. EVER. FORGET. THIS. AGAIN!!
+Evilriku13
+Evilriku13 I immediately thought Tal Tal Heights, though Ballad of the Windfish is an incredible song too.
Personal opinions. Not everyone is going to like the same things.
he said he didn't grow up with that game. i grew up with it as a teenager, and yes, the "Ballad of the Windfish" is the first thing i think of...especially Link's ocarina duet with Marin.
Tal tal heights, Ballad of the wind fish and the dark forest theme always stick with me.
they need to give this game a 3ds remake, in the the style of link between worlds.
Fully agree. I just hope that if they do, they will upgrade the engine to have better lighting.
NEVER.
Link between World looks like shit.
I would like the whole world look as if drawn by crayons but still keep the dark/overgrown/mysterious look.
The artstile of LBW would ruin this game.
Fuck are you talking about? Link Between Worlds looks great.
Clashman The Third Not sure why he hates it, but while I like the the art design, I would like just a little hint of the lighting they added to the Wind waker HD, on to the engine. Even if they didnt, I would still die from an announcement of a remake.
You know how Link looks in the pictures in the camera building? If they ever remade Link's Awakening, I'd love to see his 3D model look like that.
Man I cant say how much this game was good back in the days. I think this game marked me even more than a LTTP. Johnny you forgot to mention about the salemen in this game; if you leave the shop without paying he will kill you the next time you come shopping.
And then everyone proceeds to call you a thief versus your save name.
I think Maron's relationship with Link was a good enough reason for us to care about making the island disappear. It also has many lively characters like you stated. Zelda games never had much characters related to the story to begin with. But Link's gotta do what he's gotta do. I think he did care about Maron though. His face showed him reflecting upon that at the end. He is silent after all. Expressions is about the only thing he can do :P lol! Good review.
I love Link's Awakening so much. A perfect and charmimg Zelda that i recommend to anyone that asks me where to start with Zelda.
Should I play it on my gba sp after I finish link to the past or should I play the oracle games first
@@buttermilkjesus408 both is fine i'd say
I think part of the reason that Link's Awakening's plot doesn't tug at your heartstrings, after thinking about it and rewatching the video, is that this game is a product of a much earlier age. This was before all the sweeping storylines and deep plots in video games. When I was a kid, this plot affected me enough that I refused to believe it was a dream right up until the very end. That's the sort of thing it did to me. Nowadays? It wouldn't even make me bat an eyelash.
But my biggest problem with this video, from the very first moment I watched it until now, is that you don't seem to understand the whole concept of being the "Link between the player and the game." You keep acting like you're waiting to see Link's reactions, what he thinks or wondering how he's assessing the situation...but in these early games, Link's reaction and feelings to a situation WERE WHAT YOU WERE FEELING ABOUT THE SITUATION. Link has no expression (or potential to express) because he is meant to be YOU. It is only games after Majora's Mask that started to give Link more characterization and feelings. It's all meant to be YOU, and I feel by divorcing yourself from the experience and expecting Link to emote for you, you've lost some of the magic. But, again, this could be because of the games' age.
+UmbreonMessiah Yeah, I've been watching his videos lately (as a newcomer) and he seems to have high standards for stories, even in old games. Off the top of my head he didn't seem very impressed with SMRPG or EarthBound (and praised Final Fantasy in one of them, maybe both) which, to me, says that he just doesn't really care too much for simple and lighthearted stories, at least not when there's an alternative. But like I said, I haven't seen even close to all of his videos yet, so there may be some exceptions.
+Gorlokk: I think that's a good assessment. Makes me wonder what Johnny thinks of the Legacy of Kain series if he ever played them.
I'm normally not a big fan of silent protagonists, but this game (as welll as Majora's Mask) is one of the rare instances I feel it works to the story's advantage. The reason I'm okay with Link not really having a character in this is because he doesn't actually need one. The plot in these games focuses less on Link himself and more on the people around him, thus leaving Link blank allows the player to form his own interpretations about the circumstances; which I believe was what was intended.
That, I think, is why Johnny maybe didn't get into it as much: we interpreted it differently. For example, when I played I looked at it more from the perspective of "Is it right to take their home away to get mine back?"
*****
That's exactly how I felt when I first played, & when I played last year! I think Johnny might have a hard time getting into stories like this.
legend of zelda are truly remarkable series with legendary deep storytelling, like how connected they are because when you get hook up on this series, you will sometimes often talk within urself is this Link are the same Link? why do I feel like Ocarina of Time is the special series of all time?('cos it's the series that gave birth to other series through split timeline why not;time travel reference baby!!) & other things like temple of time & master sword.
Probably my favorite Zelda.
BUT PROTO What about Ocarina of Time?
MineMineMelon Overrated
marmike300
Yeah, I know. Link's Awakening is my favorite game, but everyone seems to like OoT better.
MineMineMelon OoT always seemed to me like a rehash of ALttP, it practically follows the same formula as ALttP.
LordMalice6d9
Alot of people are saying that because of Egoraptor.
This may be nostalgia talking since I played this game when I was young, but I honestly love this game. Hell, the shield may be an assignable item, but it is more USEFUL than the shields in the previous games, at least to me.
The use of the shield as an item also followed in every Zelda games after that, just that there was more buttons on the controller so they could dedicate a button for that.
If only if it wasn't part of an item that you need to equip & have it at all times.
That isn't saying much
Anybody come here after today's Nintendo Direct?
Me
Yup :)
Hi
Yes! :D
Yep
I'm sorry but I really gotta disagree with this review. There's a reason Link's character is not built up. There's a reason you don't know whether Link cares about the island disappearing or anything in it: YOU are Link. Whatever you are feeling, is what Link is feeling. Nobody cares about you? What about Ulrira, and the otherI think you really downplayed the relationship between Link and Marin. What about the scene where you look out over the ocean with her? That is one of the most touching scenes in any Zelda game ever, 3D or 2D. That connection they have makes the ending that much more sad and emotional.There are connections made between other Zelda games and this game as well. The cameos of Ganon, Agahnim, and other older Zelda bosses during the fight with Nightmare bring to mind the fact that Nightmare is feeding off of Link's fears. That's some good subtle character development there.The music isn't memorable?! Granted, you did say you had only played this game twice, but I've only played through once 10 years ago and haven't played it again since then and I still randomly have the themes of Mabe Village, Tal Tal Heights, the Mysterious Woods, and the Ballad of the Windfish pop into my head. I personally know many others who would agree with me, and there are even more in the comments here too. I guess maybe if you're not a Zelda enthusiast it won't stick as well though. So I'll give you that. It could just be how much I loved the game helped me absorb the themes that much better.
I mean, that's the point of having you name it.
thing is whenever the player's feeling is, to actually beat the game you must awake the wind fish, but the game doesn't really give you a good reason onto why you should be doing this, you want to escape sure, but they putted in that consequences that are pretty serious, but you just still do it, being selfish because you are killing an entire island with his persons just for the sake of escaping, like if i was link i would just not awake him
Except, it is because Link is selfless that he awakens the Wind Fish. The people of Koholint do not exist. The people of Hyrule very much do, and likely need his assistance. Koholint seems to be fine on its own, while Hyrule is taken over by a new evil every 3 minutes. If Link stayed asleep forever, he would be dooming his own country.
This comment says exactly how I felt about this review.
Doesn't change the fact that outside of Marin, hardly anyone has any personality or is memorable in any way. It makes it really hard to to care for the whole island when only one character has any development.
And i don't think Link is afraid of Ganon, Agahnim or any of the bosses he fought before. It feels like you are reaching for something that it isn't there. I mean, this kid picked up his uncle's sword without hesitation and went on to save Hyrule. If there was any time he should have been afraid it would have been then and not in this game.
Your objections to some of the game's shortcomings aren't necessarily wrong, but I feel that you're too tough on it and aren't considering the limitations of the Gameboy enough. Especially when it comes to the controls and inventory management, I really don't see how you could expect anything better. There are only two action buttons!
Having the shield be a passive, automatic thing would have affected other aspects of the game, such as the spiky guys you can only push with the shield or those turtle things you have to flip over. It would be too easy, if Link were just permanently blocking at all times.
You also mentioned that the Power Bracelet should be automatic, though I'm curious how you expect this to work out in practice without occupying one of the buttons. Would Link just pick up every rock he walks into? I think that would be annoying, and players would then be complaining that the bracelet wasn't an item like everything else.
Honestly, this is one of the best games the Gameboy has, and probably the only real way to produce a Zelda game with this level of depth and complexity on such primitive hardware.
He also forgot bomb arrows. Equip both Bombs and arrows, push both buttons at once, and you shoot a bomb arrow.
mage davee When I first did that, my mind was blown!
mage davee maybe he didn't know he could even do that?
In Wind Waker, when you get the power bracelet, it allows you to automatically pick up rocks. Why not here? I feel its a valid complaint.
A game's hardware limitations do not make it a better game or experience. If it detracts from the game, it detracts from the game. You shouldn't "go easy" on a game for any reason. You can acknowledge that there are certain things outside of the developers control that hold them back, but it still does not improve the game.
Now, we just need Johnny to play...The ORACLE series!
I too would like to see that. That series is my favorite amongst the Legend of Zelda games released on the handhelds. Yes, I even consider them a bit better than A Link Between Worlds, but only marginally.
Minish Cap would be pretty sweet also. I love that game! =D
Yes! Both of those games are amazing, and they don't seem to get near as much love when compared to other Zelda titles.
No, they certainly do not.
Princess Luna
Why do you think that is? I could never understand that. Is it because they came out when the GBA was just taking off?
Since you are, by your own admission, not a Zelda enthusiast, I can forgive you for not realizing that what Link feels in any given scenario (at least in games before WW) was what YOU felt. As for the memorable music thing, I don't think there's a song in this game that _isn't_ memorable. Tal Tal Heights, Overworld, Syrup's theme, the dungeon theme, all very catchy.
DarkLink1996 BALLAD. OF. THE. WINDFISH!
Do not forget!
The music that plays inside houses is beautifully simple.
DarkLink1996 and sword search. if you want some good remixes of link's awakenings soundtrack just look up "the second narrator" on youtube
I got sad as hell after I got the sword when I realized that I was never going to hear that music in the game again.
Thing is, no matter your feelings, you are just kind of doing it, and feelings could potentially stop you from erasing the island since they don't give you solid reasons to do so, but as a player you just need to beat the game, when you can really just not want to do it but there is no other ending to that matter
There's a Link's Awakening manga that explains Link's purpose in the story and shows that he was reluctant to wake the Wind Fish since he invited Marin to Hyrule.
On a personal note I don't like to see or want to see Link & Zelda as a couple, because to me it doesn't make sense due to the little romance brewing between Link & Marin in Link's Awakening. The possible romance between Link & Zelda makes sense in Skyward Sword (maybe even Hyrule Warriors if you count that), but in any other game I don't see it. Yes, even though Marin doesn't really exist, but Malon is good fit though.
This is my number 1 favorite Zelda game. Although, Link's Awakening it's the fifth highest selling in the series, I feel that it doesn't get the recognition it deserves which is shame.After all, it did create gameplay elements and characters which are still being used in Zelda now.
One summer around nine years ago, I was searching for a review of Link's Awakening, and I stumbled upon this video. After watching, I decided I enjoyed what I saw and saw the rest of the Johnny Vs series, which at that point you were doing the Mega Man marathon.
Nine years later, I'm still watching your channel. Glad I clicked on this video way back when, otherwise I wouldn't be making videos either.
Anybody here after the Link’s Awakening Remake came out on Switch?
Link's Awakening is my favorite Zelda game. It's amazing how much the game does with so little. Such a touching, poignant story. And Tal Tal Heights is undoubtedly the *raddest* piece of music in Zelda.
Anyone here after the remake was announced for Switch?
:)
Forenzyx ayyyy
the item switching never bothered me that much
Me too. While it can be annoying in some specific parts, I don't agree that it could be handled differently. I mean, there's only two buttons in Gameboy. Just how could they port the entirety of Link's arsenal to this game, while actually introducing new items and mechanics?
Jebuiz y'har he's incredibly biased. Anything that isn't sonic is garbage in his eyes.
Never bothered me either, after a bit, it became second nature.
@@rubemevangelista3868 the dpad could have been better and atumaticly equiping you waepons like metriod
@@kstreet7438 you obviously never seen his Sonic 06 Review cuz he destroyed that game idk what you talking about
Perhaps my very favorite Zelda title. Keep in mind I beat OOT/MM/WW/MC/TP/SS all BEFORE playing this on 3DS eshop. No nostalgia factor and yet it easily makes my top 3.
Yeah, I too feel that LA is underrated, but my all time favorite will always be ALttP.
fromA2E I agree. I just finished LA the other day for the first time. It's an amazing game.
I started a Zelda marathon from first to last in August since I have never touched any Zelda title. Currently playing MM and this is my favorite still. Really got me hooked in.
15:01 Actually it was an ocarina. The US version changed it to a flute.
Pan Z Then it was the debut of the ocarina in the US version. Japan and the US always have different stories
Is it just me or does anyone else love it when the Gameboy cartridges are different colors?
I'm a good boy.
Wonder what’s for dinner!
That is why we love Johnny so much. He reviewed a game he didn't even plan on doing just b/c his fans wanted him too. That is why I am a fan of Johnny.
You... I like your reviews...
Actually the first appeared of the Ocarina is in A Link to the Past since in the original Japanese translation the flute is called an Ocarina.
He mentioned that
The Gameboy and Gameboy color Zelda games are still, even after all this time, my favorite in the series. I'm glad to see that link's awakening will be remade and released on the switch very soon. Perhaps you'll give it another go when it comes out?
My first, and favorite Zelda. I know I know, the nostalgia definitely creates a bias. But as BrianQuest64 said previously in these comments, it is a GameBoy game that can realistically compete with an SNES game, and it holds its own.
Not to mention, I had the original non-color game, and I STILL prefer it to A Link To The Past. This is NOT a knock on A Link To The Past though, as that game is a VERY close second to Link's Awakening. And If I had played ALTTP first, it'd likely be my fav.
My first zelda was ocarina of time i hate it
My second was TP its my favorite also ive played every zelda game exept for PH FSA and MM wich ill be getting for the 3ds.
We get it. You hate Ocarina of Time. Shut the fuck up.
onesonicguy My hatred for Ocarina of Time is my personal perspective dont act rude just because of it. considering youre the one throwing shit at me i would say youre the one who should be quiet.
If you hate the game, then that's fine. I respect your opinion, but if it's so personal to you, then why are you telling everyone that you hate it like they care? I thought that something being personal was something that you want to keep to yourself, not tell the internet.
Thats what the internet is for.
Dont like it?
Too bad feel free to state your own opinion right here but i have all my right to state me personal opinion right here to why so you think youtubers do top 10's because they share Their opinon.
Really, really disagree about the last two dungeons, which I feel are two of the best 2d Zelda dungeons in the series. Beyond the disagreement, I think it is inexcusable that you would fail to mention the 4th floor of Eagle Tower CRASHING INTO the 3rd floor, as if it wasn't an incredible, memorable, epic moment. Come on bro.
The problem is I think you and I have bias. From what I gather he never played it as a kid. When this game came out, I could never stop playing it. The moments like finding out about the dream world, The 7th dungeon collapsing onto itself and the fact that this was my first Zelda means it will remain my absolute favorite. Unfortunately this guy came into this with different expectations and standards. Sad, but oh well. I beat this game 3 times on my GBA, 3 times on my 3ds and now that I recently got into emulation am just finishing up my first play though on PC. Still love every moment.
Very true! When I was a kid, this is the only game I owned on the Gameboy he called a brick, I played it to death. Everything about this game is nothing short of bizarre to me, from the story to the dungeons, and the overall sense of "open world". We didn't have internet back then, and I'm still amazed today how I got all the puzzles figured out, as a kid! This is my first Zelda, I'm not sure if it's nolstalgia, but it's been my all time favorite Zelda game.
SPOILER ALERT!
+J. Mike eat me
And you're just a hater Mike.
Link has had a musical since Zelda 1- although you only heard one tune, that one tune did a few things. It weakened Digdogger, it opened secrets in the overworld especially in the 2nd Quest (Graveyard, Bushes, Deserts, Dead Ponds aka Where no faeries live etc.) and technically using it when you are sword jinxed by bubbles helps the time pass before you regain your A button. Most importantly the Recorder also acts as a warp point to each of the beaten Levels. Talk about a versatile tune!!!
Zelda ll- had a flute or Whistle? although not as interesting or applicable as Zelda 1's it does kill the River Devil, beyond that not sure what else it does.
can you review the minish cap?
Windfish? That´s a whale in my book...
Macaco Macabra Obviously a starfish, bro
I grew up on the Nes, Snes, Gameboy and Sega Gen ; On the original mario, zelda and sonic games. And when I was a kid they were considered very outdated, with the ps1, and N64 being all the rage. My family was poor, and my mom picked up the old consoles at thrift stores for dirt cheap. (For they were not yet valued vintage, or collectable.) In fact Mario 3, or Zelda went for about 5 or 6 bucks each at a pawn shop or value village. (with them being between 20 and 30 bucks each these days.)
First game I ever remember playing was Nes Super Mario Bros. I was only four at the time. picked up my sega when I was six. By the time I was eight I had literally over 80 nes games!! and over 40 Sega games. When I was almost nine I traded my consoles and ALL my games at a video game shop, for a ps1 and 4 measly games. I regretted it, and do to this day. Now I'm almost Twenty-two ; I have those consoles again and a good game library, but it's been work trying to replace it all since everythings so "Retro and Collectable."
Are you gonna re-review it alongside the remake once that comes out?
the ballad of the windfish is great
While this game isn't my favorite Zelda game (though it's certainly up there),
Eagle's Tower is my all around favorite dungeon.
Like Johnny, I only recently got the chance to play LA,
and it has been ages since a Zelda game made me stop and think about how to traverse the dungeon at hand. Plus, it has a fairly unique gimmick of having to destroy parts of the dungeon to proceed.
Andy also u actually CHANGE the dungeon layout in general... never happened before tho!
This was easily the most advanced thing to be available on the Game Boy when it was released, and continues to hold up very well.
I don't know. I kinda liked the ending. I agree with everything he said about it, but I still thinks it's one of the best ending in a Zelda game. Minus Link to the Past/Between Worlds and probably Majora's Mask.
I got this game a few years back because I remember having a blast with this as a youngster and the game seems to hold up but ive played too many zelda games that it was a breeze but the feels and the music are what kept me tied to this game ive cried a total of 8 times because 8 times was the amount i play the game and beat it
ive actually gone back and played the 3 gameboy zelda games more than any other zelda game, even OOC. Which i really cant explain why i like them more lol
happy 30th anniversary the legend of zelda:link's awakening!!! :3
outside the gameplay limitations i enjoyed this game as i love the visuals(really love how expressive link is that he's my favorite alongside wind waker/botw.),story(would've liked for the remake it showed link's reactions to the reveal but still liked it more than other zelda stories as it's more memorable without zelda,ganon or the triforce shoved in.),power ups & the charm of koholint island with it's people(cared for them more than anyone in hyrule outside wind waker/botw.),sidequest(especially the nintendo cameos.),photographs(love these the most and wish they came back in the remake.) and marin(do agree for the ending it could've ended with zelda picking up link on a ship with how it came after the oracle games.).
I just got this game for free at the e shop from club nintendo
I'd say this along with MM are 2 of the most unique and refreshing Zelda titles. I love the liberties and creative freedom the developement team had with this (mario cameos/ side scrolling bits etc). Its one of my very favorite games of all time, honestly...amazes me how an 8 bit game over 20 years old can be so immersive and charming.
The story of this game would make for an amazing remake.
Agreed.
Whether in 3D or 2D, Link's Awakening and it's story could really benefit from a remake.
Seems like ol Nintendy agrees :)
It’s happening this year. 😊
"the stories do not connect at all"
That's not entirely true. The true ending of the oracles of seasons and ages games (after combining playthroughs via the code system) Link sails off (from either Holodrum or Lybranna depending on what game you ended up playing second) on a boat. Which I'm pretty sure is the same boat at the beginning of Links Awakening.
My favorite Zelda game
Loved this game as a kid. When I was yound I really wanted the Zelda watch, the idea of a portable legend of zelda was amazing! So obviously I was thrilled when the gameboy game was released.
Rewatching this made me realize the remake has bottles.
I love the sudden realization at 13:40.
I totally agree with the item management and a little about the story criticisms. However, I disagree with the rest. This is one awesome game and one of my favorite Zeldas, even though I just got to play it last year on the 3DS.
Say the word with me:
Opinions
Matt Greer
You need a chill pill
A remake of this game would be great, like link between worlds
How is this comment not flooded with responses saying they actually made a remake?
OOOOOOO I disagree with a lot of these comments! You really undersold a spectacular game here! I know it's all just down to personal opinion but seriously... Your criticisms range from being overly harsh to flat-out wrong! For one thing, the shield in Link's Awakening was way more effective than in LTTP!
Comparing this game to A Link to the Past is rather unfair but I'd argue that in some ways Link's Awakening is superior. Sure, the island is smaller than Hyrule but it's crammed full of stuff. Due to technological limitations they were forced to optimize every single pixel, which shows terrific design skill.
The story wasn't very fleshed out- as you said- but it had more story than any previous Zelda game. Marin received more characterization than Zelda ever did (I know that's not saying much) and the "twist" in the ending may have been about as cliche as it gets but again... it's still more interesting than previous Zelda endings.
And the music... how COULD you?! The Ballad of the Wind Fish, the Tal Tal Mountain song... 8-bit bliss! What's LTTP done for music lately? Yeah... okay, there was the Hyrule Castle theme. Damn, that was good!
I could go on. But I really shouldn't. Think I might go and play A Link to the Past now :)
Wouldn't it be more like comparing Donkey Kong Country to Donkey Kong Land. Both good games but an SNES game is inevitably gonna be superior its Game Boy equivalent, regardless of which came out first. Although I'm now racking my brain trying to think of a counter example. Any thoughts?
Clearly not. I said that aspects of Link's Awakening are better. My point was that Link's Awakening is a superb game and it can hold its own with the other great Zelda titles. It's definitely a Game Boy masterpiece. But LTTP is a Super Nintendo masterpiece. Nothing can really beat that!
Dude to be fair this was his first tine playing the game and he had played other games in the series at the time. And he's admitted its a fine game
I know, I know. He gives it some credit. But not enough!! :)
the fact is he can't appreciate the game like you do because he's played it that much. (I'm guessing you've had this game since childhood)
Straight up, the only connection between the Oracle games and this one, is if you beat both oracle games with the passwords, your ending screen shows Link sailing away in a boat that looks like the one in the intro to this game. Of course, this is now meaningless cause Nintendo moved Link's Awakening yet again. lol
Honestly turtle rock was one of my favorite dungeons even though the boss sucked you should make a review for minish cap since it has one if the best stories in zelda
I don't want the rocks to disappear, I want the Power Bracelet to be permanently attached to my wrists. Couldn't I just press a button near a rock to lift it up after nabbing the bracelet?
When you talk about the mario stuff u forgot the chain chomp
*****
You even care more than a sack of rice falling over in China?
***** If you couldn't care less, that means you just don't care.
But literally not caring means there is not a single thing in the world you care less about.
***** When did you use a hyperbole? You said you literally could't care less.
Credits theme is:
Majora's Mask
"Ballad of the Wind Fish" (Complete version)
You can play this song by useing all 4 instruments in the Milk Bar at East Clock Town.
2019 Remake says hello
Dude, it's just a hint to check the game's soundtrack since it's a song from there. You guys don't need to get huffy about it. I don't remember what it's called but I do know it's from there.
It's actually a little easy to tell if you listen carefully. Knowing that much can give you an idea where to search. Here are the listed instruments from that song.
Link's Ocarina
Goron Link's Drums
Zora Link's Guitar
And
Deku Link's "Tuba"
I feel that he fails to understand that its an Game Boy game so good that it can compete with an SNES game.
Most accurate and truest TH-cam comment I've seen in awhile.
Or he had played other game and one doesn't change ones taste for one game that's overrated
Well thats just my opinion so go fuck yourself.
BrianQuest64
you seem like a pleasant person
BrianQuest64 You guys come here watch a review, but you hardly realize it. It's called a "REVIEW" for a reason, ya know.
As a kid whenever I read 'dot matrix with stereo sound,' I thought it had something to do with Dot Matrix from Reboot XD
did u know that you can GET the chainchomp
The updated version is sooo fun! The botton layout on switch makes quality of life much better
Wow, there are a lot of harsh comments on here.
I watched a playthrough....
Sword Search has been in my head since I started.
Anyone else hated how the owl lied to u the entire game?
Much like everyone else here, this was my first _Zelda_ game and is one of my Top 5 _Zelda_ games because of that. And this SUPER late, considering, but Marin's fate in a no death run of the game actually depends on the version you're playing. In the DX version she becomes a seagull, as mentioned. In the original version, though, she remains as is, but gains a pair of wings, effectively becoming an angel. I honestly prefer her ending from the original game since she remains human instead of becoming a sea pigeon.
Fun fact, I believe this game originally started as a port of Zelda 3. Also, this game along with the Oracle games were developed by Capcom.
No, the Oracle games and Minish Cap were developed by a Capcom subsidiary. Link's Awakening was developed by Nintendo EAD.
Actually Johnny, the real award for finishing the trading sidequest is getting some magnifying lens, which will help you read a book in the library, which in turn tells you how to get through the egg. So yeah, the sidequest is kind of necessary, unless you feel like stumbling around blindly for hours. For the boomerang, though, you just have to bomb a wall somewhere at the beach, and voila, boomerang.
How could you say there are no memorable tracks when this game has Tal Tal Heights?
@Slevin or he didn't know.
@Slevin And how would this effect his views on the game?
@Slevin I don't think understanding something like that necessary in making a review. That's what perfer.
Different strokes for different folks, i guess
Exactly. This review judges the game's story against the standards of today's games. The Zelda games on GB and GBC were actually some of the most intricate stories on those handhelds.
Yo who’s here after the remake announcement?!?
Yeah BOIII!!
Me
Link is a Link between you and the game world. How he reacts to waking up the world is up to you.
The wind fish looks like a mammal.
+Vincent Shellacque "The Wind Fish in name only, for it is neither."
Did anyone else get stuck at the part where you had to get gold leafs, and there was a door which you had to throw a pot at to open it. Man that took me forever to figure out, also it was bullshit, not a single hint to the door being able to open like that.
***** Also the random room in Turtle rock with the crystal ball with the unseen bomb-able wall that is completely not hinted at.
Two minute unskipable commercial... >_
how is that important
People who hate Chrome
+TheEpicPikachu people who want to give the youtuber money
wow. 4 years. i've been subscribed to johnny for 4 years. how awesome is that in a weird regard
The Ocarina IS a flute. So Link to the Past did it first.
Hyrule Historia also revealed that the Oracle games were sequels to A Link to the Past, and that all four games (ALttP, OoS, OoA, and LA) star the same Link.
you forgot tarin is mario
and you could steal from the store
THIEF
YOU WILL PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE
1:28 Is it troublesome to use the 3DS recorder you showed off previously for Link's Awakening (for higher quality, etc.).
So, who's here after the Nintendo Direct?
PAOerful One moi
Indeed. I can have the shield placed in front of me as I'm moving and not only take no damage at all from projectiles, but even not take any damage from directly touching enemies. The shield is much more effective because of this.
Yes, I am taking time to comment on a three (nearly four) year old video. Why? Motivated by the spirit of the review, I suppose: Link's Awakening has some issues, mostly just minor irritations and *then* justified by hardware limitations and/or design principles of the time. He did not say this was a bad game, but he presented a more negative image than the game deserves, I think... much like I'll probably end up making his review look worse than I mean to by pointing out the issues with *it.* ;)
Having to go into the menu to switch equipped items is irritating, but it is just worth a sentence. Hardware limitations (possibly more than just the lack of extra buttons) resulted in the control scheme we got. It allowed us to do cool things by mixing and matching items, like bomb tipped arrows. *BOMB* *ARROWS!*
Losing the automatic defense from the shield hurt a bit, *but* that is just control evolving. Would it not be lame if Link couldn't swing or stab but *just* constantly held his sword in front of him, so that to attack you had to bump enemies? That over simplification is how they handled shield usage. Link's Awakening allowed you to push around certain enemies with the shield. The real complaint is that it ought to have done more.
Finally... if the music in this game isn't memorable, that is a you problem. *No,* _not_ personal taste: you can hate it, love it, or something in between. The Ballad of the Wind Fish is central to the game and you repeatedly here versions of it throughout; if you don't remember it, that's on you. So... yeah I make this sound like a terrible video by focusing on such small things, but that is kind of what the video does to the game, in a similar manner.
Though bomb arrows really were worth mentionging: makes me wonder if Johnny never realized items could "blend" like that.
This game's ending made me cry
You are the first person I ever see complain about defending being an action in this game. Literally everyone else I talked to think it is an improvement over passive shield, though now that I say this I'm sure someone will reply to this comment saying they also prefer passive.
The fact most (if not all) Zelda games after this stuck with active defense is probably a testment to this.
Also, no music comes to mind? What about Ballad of the Wind Fish? How come that doesn't spring to mind immediately when you think of Link's Awakening.
About whether or not Link cares or not... Well do you fucking care or not? Link in this game is the kind of Silent Protagonist that works as a player avatar. How you feel about the shit going on is way more important. It was not until Wind Waker that Link started growing a personality of his own, and I think holding this against LA while giving a pass to literally every other game this happens is really unfair.
I don't know if it's because he played it on a couple of days for a review or something, but I think Johnny is really unfair to this game in general and fail to give it its due credit.
Especially in elements it pionereed in the franchise. Aside from the aforementioned active defense, this is the first attempt at a more story focused game, it's the first game outside hyrule, the first game that doesn't deal with Ganon, Zelda and the Triforce, the first game with a Trade quest, and more,. that people keep praising other games for, and completely ignoring the actual origin point. I'm probably more angry about this than I should, but it's getting really tiring seeing Link's Awakening get either ignored or shunned for no fucking reason.
You're right, I never liked the active shielding either. I would play through the GB games almost exclusively without ever using the shield. I should clarify, just like me his gripe isn't really just having to push a button though, he's more upset with having to SWITCH to the shield and removing one of his only two equippable items inorder to have that even available to use. Later games in the series would require you to press a button, but it was a permanently mapped shield button and the shield was always available as long as you had one. Significantly less tedious and limiting. Yeah you have less buttons on the color, SNES, and NES ... which is why until now it didn't require a button press.
And the problem I have with the player avatar thing is that it can't really be 'me' when I don't have choices in the story or outcome of the game. Previous titles weren't trying to be as emotional as this one appears to be. They were relatively basic stories about being a simple hero where you were always doing the right thing. Here you've got a more questionable scenario that is thought provoking, and forces you to think about it, but doesn't deal with it. If I, as a player, don't WANT to wake the wind fish, well fuck, better not finish the game. Finishing the game means I do. Which means Link isn't me, he doesn't have my personality, I DON'T have a choice in what happens, even though I'm supposed to question the idea of carrying it out. Which ruins the story or immersion because I don't know what Link himself thinks through this. Cuz it's clearly not what I think.
This is one of my favorite games. Nostalgia has a lot to do with that, because even the faults in the game like constant item switching I find charming in this title.
Juan was spoiled by ALTTP, he's nitpicking a tad too much.
I think ALTTP is more forgettable
link's awakening is actually a spot above past in my top 10,awakening to me just had more charm and personality than past
PikaLink91 let Johnny gave his opinion besides he only recently played the game at the original time of the video
PikaLink91 I never said you criticized Johnny, but I feel you hurt because he didn't like one of your favorite games
just because he didn't enjoy it as much as you means he hates it or its a bad game
+KidSnivy96 It may scare off people who would otherwise enjoy a *great* game, however, when he overemphasizes issues. Having to switch around Items *was* worth mentioning. One sentence, unless it was going to be for an "angry reviewer" kind of joke. It is irritating, but the limits of the device make it hard to avoid.
Using different combinations of items was part of what made this game deeper than it looked. There weren't a tremendous amount of noteworthy combos, but things like bomb arrows were so worth the hassle.
Same for Link actually *using* his shield. Know how Link charges his spin attack by holding his sword in front of him? Imagine if *all* Link did was hold his sword in front of him, and attacking was about moving Link into colliding with an enemy from the proper angle... that is unfortunately how many Zelda games handle using the shield. Link's Awakening allowed you to move at least certain enemies. Both in terms of actual, historical shield usage *and* good game design, shields had both active and passive usage, including some offensive usage as well.
So... noting Johnny's nitpicking in the comments? Seems like the best place for it. ;)
That's the Ballad of the Windfish, which is also in Majora's Mask as a side quest. You need all four masks for it, playing the different parts of the zora in the milk bar.
Why are all the people in the comments being such jerks? He didn't make the game out to be awful and just because the system had a lack of buttons doesn't mean he can't bitch about certain problems because of it.
When I saw he complained about the unmarked wall to get the piece of heart I knew he was just using a guide to play this.
That's no way to play an exploration game like this. At least not when they will later be complaining.
I really hope Link's Awakening gets a full, fleshed out re-release that actually cashes in on waking up the wind fish equals removing the island from existence and the implications of such a decision.
1 year later, and my hopes have come true.
I've disagreed with the sound and music remarks in several of the reviews I've watched so far (and particularly Zeldas), but it's getting ridiculous.
"I can't hum anything from the top of my head". 3 words for ya: Tal Tal Heights.
That's songs is overrated
KidSnivy69
People do love to use that word.
If there's one thing that song is not, is overrated. Being as it's barely rated, while being one of the very best little compositions of the early (and to be honest in general) Zeldas, which is saying something.
GaudyGabriev
In the group of people who never shut up about the game, it applies
Funny, I live near Pittsburgh. Cool to see you came by the steel city!
Megaman zero month
+Almozayaf Roman Yes to both!!!
there is one connection
at the end of the Oracle games, after you defeat Ganon, Link sails away
and at the beginning his boat gets hit by lightning, I made this connection immediately after I saw the ending