The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

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Link's Awakening, one of the prime titles of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Claimed as one of the best portable Zelda's even today, Link's Awakening still proves to be a tough contender even against the likes of The Minish Cap, and A Link to the Past + Four Swords. Link's Awakening, dungeon wise is a notoriously easy game, where most bosses give you hints on how to beat them as well as having a strong number of block scenarios which make the game predictable and easy.

The Story
It is said that Link traveled across the world in search of adventure and to increase his skills. One day upon the great Ocean, a huge storm broke out tossing Link's ship around and around until it came upon an island. His ship was utterly destroyed leaving Link unconscious on the beach. A young girl was strolling across the beaches to find Link lying there, unconscious.

After a long nap, Link awakes to find himself in a house being looked after by a young girl named Marin. Marin's father, Tarin, informed Link of the restless monsters that had been circulating the area. He gave Link his shield and Link set off to the beach to recover his sword.

After taking his sword from the beaches, a mysterious owl came down from above and told Link that in order for him to leave, he had to wake the Wind Fish.

Timeline Placement
Although the game is stated by many Timeline Theorists to come after A Link To The Past, Link's arrival on a boat could suggest this Link is from the Wind Waker period instead. A case could also be made that this game occurs after the Oracle Series. Since Nintendo's statement that earlier Zelda Video Game booklets and texts contain several Japanese to English translation indiscretions, its impossible to know for sure at the time being. However, both WW and the Oracles were not released during this period; therefore the creators may have intended this game to indeed be the sequel to A Link To The Past.

It should also be noted that at the end of Phantom Hourglass that the old man that helps you through-out the game turns out to be a giant whale, implying that he may be in fact the wind fish. This futher supports the theory that Link's Awakening takes place after Wind Waker.



The Legend of the Wind Fish
The Wind Fish, said to be inside the Egg atop of the Tal Tal Mountain Range, is a legend circulating around Koholint Island. Many say that when the Wind Fish is awoken, then the island will disappear. Of course, the residents of Koholint Island merely treat that as a legend, but the Owl and Link put their skills to the test to make this legend a reality.

Mario References
There are several references to the Mario games in Link's Awakening. Here's a list, please add anything you see.


 * The Yoshi Doll
 * Tarin himself (who is similar in appearance to Mario)
 * Tarin turning into a Racoon after eating a Mushroom might be a reference to Super Mario Bros.3
 * The yoshi-like egg on top of the mountain
 * Wart appears in it
 * Mr. Write Gives you the picture of Peach
 * Various enemies:
 * Goomba
 * Piranha Plant
 * Cheep-Cheep
 * Boo
 * Mask-Mimic
 * Pokey
 * Bloober
 * Thwimp/Thwomp
 * Bow-Wow
 * Anti-Kirby (Not a Mario reference as such, but a Nintendo cameo nevertheless)

Dungeon Index

 * Tail Cave
 * Bottle Grotto
 * Key Cavern
 * Angler's Tunnel
 * Catfish's Maw
 * Face Shrine
 * Eagle's Tower
 * Turtle Rock
 * Color Dungeon

Boss Index

 * Stone Hinox (Color Dungeon, LADX only)
 * Giant Buzz Blob (Color Dungeon, LADX only)
 * Giant Hardhat Beetle (Color Dungeon, LADX only)
 * Great Moblin
 * Lanmola
 * Armos Knight

Enemy Index
Gallery: Enemies in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Related Articles

 * The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX

Links and Reviews

 * Link's Awakening page on ZU - Strategies, game information, pictures and more.
 * Link's Awakening review on VGRC.net 9.5 out of 10