Translation for the posters in Link’s Awakening

As you are probably well aware the release date of A Link Between Worlds is getting closer and closer. As a result, the majority of posts here are to do with that game: reviews, theories, comparisons and other things to wet the appetite for what we will soon be able to experience for ourselves. However, even though there are new stories about the upcoming game every day, something interesting has surfaced regarding Link’s Awakening which was originally released way back in 1993.

Take jump to see what it is!

Even though I have never played the game (and for those of you that remember my post ages ago about the 3D Koholint Island, I know I said at the end I was off to buy the game but I still haven’t gotten ’round to it yet!) I know a bit about it and there are a few things the game is well known for like its incredibly sad ending.

Possibly one of the most well known parts of the game is what happens when you try to steal something from the shop- the owner kills Link the next time your return and the name of your file changes to “THIEF”. It may be a bit harsh for trying to steal a few bombs but, seeing as whatever the guy uses is able to electrocute Link to death no matter how many hearts he has, it would be great if Link could get his hands on it.

You may recognize this picture of Link trying to steal something from the shop if you had Link’s Awakening DX:

On the wall behind the clerk are two signs written in Japanese (though I always thought it was Hylian) and it turns out what these signs say is pretty simple but very appropriate considering what will soon be happening to our courageous adventurer.

The sign on the left says ‘shoplifting prevention’.

The sign on the right says ‘shoplifting is a crime’.

Maybe in the versions released in the rest of the world, Link is unable to read Japanese. It’s a bit unusual they didn’t translate these when releasing the game outside of Japan but at least we now know that Link could have had fair warning that the owner takes shoplifting quite seriously unlike most people who seem to let anyone run in, break all their pots, steal whatever happens to be inside and run away without saying a word!

What did you think these signs said? Are you disappointed it wasn’t something a bit more entertaining or did you already know about this? Tell us all in the comments below.

Source: Legends of Localization