Legend of Zelda: "Link's Awakening" DX Game by Nintendo Reviewed by The Avardancer Size: 8 Megabits Save: Battery, 3 slots Released: 1998 Works with: Any version of Gameboy. (But, only Gameboy Color can unleash the new dungeon...) Opening Snide Remarks: It would be easy to dismiss this game as just "Zelda in color". It's so much more than that. The original game got a perfect score in my review of it. But, so much has happened in the last few years of Gameboy. We have had tons of successful and amazing games. Wario Land 2, Kirby's Dreamland 2, Pokémon, Harvest Moon, and more. The graphics bar has been raised a lot from back in 1993, when the original game was released. Games now feature amazing new effects like FMV. (Mortal Kombat 4, NFL Blitz) The sound and music in games has also been upped by games like Pokémon and Wario Land 2; which feature dynamic sound enviroments, Gameboy has been pushed from being the item in your drawer, to a powerful toy and the market has been revitalized. Gameboy has grown so much from the green-screen machine that Legend of Zelda 4 graced so long ago. Evolution in the gaming industry is never kind. Legend of Zelda 4 is the game that sold the least amount of cartridges, although it definately deserves so much more. This Legend of Zelda DX is riding on the coat-tails of the smash hit release of Legend of Zelda 5: Ocarina of Time. This game holds so many good memories for me. I hope that this DX version holds the same feelings and the same experience as the old one. But, I also wonder if this new version is just "Color Zelda" or is it much more? The box says that there is a "New dungeon" and the manual says that there are some other new things like a "Picture Shop". That picture shop is obviously the result of the "Photoppi" fad in Japan. I hope it is not just a cheap, half-hearted addition to this game. I will address the game in this chapter and talk about whether or not this remix is worth your money or not. Please read onward and see if Legend of Zelda: "Link's Awakening" is still "Top Dog" in the doghouse of Gameboy games.... Gameplay: The game starts out basically the same; but there are some VERY notable differences in the gameplay. For one, the game is in color. But, the game has SO many new secrets; it feels brand new! The game is not dependant on color. (Except for the hidden dungeon..) The hidden dungeon is not to difficult; but can certainly bug you. It took me about 45 minutes to beat that dungeon the first time; because of some of the "lights-out" puzzles. The new enemies and bosses are joined by new text as well. The same exploration heavy gameplay is enchanced by the new dungeon, the pictures, etc. The game also features some slight additions; for example, someone decided to put most of the items in the dungeons in new places. (I was pretty surprised to open up a chest that should have contained a key, only to find a bomb instead. The stone slabs are in different chests, as are some of the keys, maps, compasses, etc. You can find Magic Potion in the chests now too! The stones that provide cryptic hints are more plentiful now. This is a good thing for beginners. There is a LOT of additional text. The story has been strengthened by the new text. The characters have more to say; spelling errors have been replaced. New secrets have been added. The island feels more alive, and more beautiful now. The game now plays with your emotion even more than before. The addition of color takes the challenge out of some of the rooms. (For example, in dark rooms where it was all black before, you can see a little bit of the floor.) The game now is a little less frustrating for beginners. (That's a good thing for people who have never played it.) The game is the same; but different. If you own the original; this game is made for you. The gameplay is the same; but the addition of so much more make the game even more fun than before. The game has added replay value in the pictures as well. The game feels like it was made JUST for the fans. If you own the first edition of the game; you owe it to yourself to buy this one. Sometimes, nintendo seems to do things just for the fans. Those games made just for us are the most special and usually the best games. Like Super Mario All-Stars was made just for us; this game was made to be something special. It did not NEED to be made; but Nintendo went ahead a made it anyways; and we can only thank the 1998 staff, and the original 1993 staff for the superb software that they have presented us. It is true to the original gameplay of the first edition; but expands upon that Gameplay experience one-hundred fold. Graphics: The game is in color and added details are prevalent. Each dungeon has a distinct look. The graphics are VERY colorful. The ending will blow you away. The added details make the game looks richer, the Gameboy Color colors are beautiful. The game actually looks BETTER than Legend of Zelda 3 on the SNES. I have also thought that Legend of Zelda 4 was better and now Link's Awakening has the graphics to say it is better as well. The pictures are pretty funny and there are more cut-scenes etc. The bosses look fantastic now, although I feel some places could use a little more color, the game is bright and beautiful. The enemies are fantastically designed and the game uses different lighting effects as well. For example, the Mysterious Forest is a bit darker than, say, Maybe Village. There is also more visual impact in the weapons, items, etc. The new dungeon is pretty cool and definately worth finding. This game rivals early Playstation games and even some of the last few SNES titles. The graphics and color make the game even more fun to play for fans of the original. You may wonder what that bad old boss looks like in color; or what the Windfish, or your favorite characters look like now in thier new colors. The game is made to take advantage of Gameboy Color; but it can also be used on a normal Gameboy or Super Gameboy. When placed into an old Gameboy; the game loses a lot of the little details. :( It has a Super Gameboy border; and a set pallette that you can change. You need to play this game on a Gameboy Color or you are missing the point and a lot of beautiful detail. Everything has been given more detail on the Gameboy Color. The game is a virtual rainbow of colors. The cut-scenes look amazing and clear. The game is truly artwork. The little details in the color include "color-cycling" on the Instruments of the Wind Fish. For example, the Moon Cello cycles from red to blue to purple to green, etc. Very nice touch. The same problem of "sprite-dithering"; where the sprite seems to fade a little is still present here. But it is not as noticeable in color as it was in Black and white. Slowdown seems to have been fixed. :) Sound: The weapons, items, and all the other sounds from the original are back and some of them have been "remastered" to sound a bit more realistic. Although it is not fairly obvious. The sound adds a lot to the game and is done very well. It is clear and accurate with the on-screen action and does not sound muted, or too "burnt". Music: The same music is here; but it also has been "remastered" to take a small; but note-worthy use of Gameboy Color's better hardware. The hidden dungeon contains a song that will convince you that this game was created for the fans. In fact, you may remember the music if you have played the first game. Nice touch Nintendo. The music in this game is now CD worthy and is a real reason to "play it loud". The music is mostly original compositions and that is great! The game music does not grate on your nerves like, say, that main theme in Pokémon. The music also contains new remixes of older music passed down from the older games. Pure ear candy and a real treat for the old-school fans of the series. This game will also introduce new players to the classic tunes that the older players have been humming for years. :) It brings a tear to my eye to see Nintendo reminding us of our beautiful past and teaching it to a new generation of players. Play Control: The play control is responsive and exactly the same. Which means that it is PERFECT. Final Analysis: You need this game. You can not call yourself a true game player if you have not played and beaten this game. The game is very impressive and is a true showcase of what Gameboy Color can do. I think that the scary part about this is; that while Legend of Zelda DX is a superior tenth generation Gameboy game; it's also a FIRST generation Gameboy Color game. This game shows that Gameboy Color can only get better and that is a pretty powerful testament to the systems power. You need to play this game to realize WHY Gameboy is the best-selling portable system and the best selling system of all time. Score Gameplay: ***** Graphics: ***** Sound: ***** Music: ***** Play Control: ***** Total: 25 out of 25 Final Score: 100% Currently Known Codes: The screen warp code from the first game DOES NOT work in this game. Chicken pickin': Like Link to the Past before you can harrass chickens and get attacked by a huge flock of them. You can kill chickens with magic powder or the Fire Rod. Change the music: Enter "ZELDA" as your name. (In all capital letters.) Missiles: Get the Bombs and the Bow. Place the Bow in one button; and the Bombs in the other. (Make sure you have at least one arrow and bomb.) Push both buttons at once to throw a missile. Have fun with Marin: If you take Marin to different places like the Trendy Game or a dungeon. She has different things she says and some of the stuff she does is quite funny. You can also ONLY get a few of the pictures when Marin is following you. Steal: Go into the store and grab an item. Walk around the cashier and when he isn't looking at you; run out the door. If you get out; you get to keep the item; but then everyone calls you thief and the guy in the store will kill you if you ever come back in the store. :( One-Hit KO Last Boss: If you have the Boomerang; fling it just right at the final form of the last boss to kill it with one hit. More: Beat the game without dying to see a slightly different "The End" screen. Even more: The seemly invincible sun-like creatures can be beaten with the boomerang. Play the "Ballad of the Windfish" to kill Pols Voices without your arrow or throwing things at them.