The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX

This article is about the 1998 Game Boy Color game. For the 1993 Game Boy game, see Link's Awakening (Game Boy). For the 2019 Switch game, see Link's Awakening.

Link's Awakening DX

Release
Platform	Date
Game Boy Color	December 1, 1998 December 12, 1998 January 1, 1999
3DS Virtual Console	June 7, 2011 June 8, 2011 June 8, 2011 June 8, 2011 March 1, 2016
Nintendo Switch Online	🌎 February 8, 2023
Credits
Developer	Nintendo R&D2
Publisher	Nintendo
Producer	Shigeru Miyamoto
Director	Yoshinori Tsuchiyama
Guides
Walkthrough	Text Walkthrough Video Walkthrough
Bosses Characters Enemies Pieces of Heart Items Photographs Secret Seashells Trading Sequence
Media
Gallery	Image Gallery
Music	Midis

In-depth guide: Link's Awakening Walkthrough (DX)

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX is an enhanced Game Boy Color port of the Game Boy game The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Link is caught in a storm at sea and becomes shipwrecked. Awaking on the mysterious island of Koholint, he discovers the only way to leave the island is to wake the Wind Fish, a creature which sleeps endlessly until the Eight Instruments of the Sirens are played in front of the egg in which it sleeps.

The game is updated with colored graphics, although the gameplay and story remain mostly the same. A few features were added, however, including a new dungeon that takes advantage of the color and a Photographer that takes pictures throughout Link's adventure.

This version of the game was rereleased on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console in 2011, and as part of the Nintendo Switch subscription service Switch Online in 2023.

Story

Main article: Link's Awakening Story

After a shipwreck, Link finds himself lying on the beach of Koholint island, a strange land which lies in the shadow of a great egg which lies in the island mountain range known as Tal Tal Heights. A local of the island's village, named Marin, discovers Link and takes him to her house. When he awakes, another local man, named Tarin, gives Link his shield back. Using this, Link returns to the beach and recovers his sword. It is here he comes into contact an owl (who greatly resembles Kaepora Gaebora from Ocarina of time, the game following Link's Awakening) who shall act as his guide on the Island. With sword in hand, Link makes his way to the mysterious forest to find the Tail Key.

After dealing with a shape-shifted Tarin, Link gains access to Tail Cave. After defeating the creatures inside Tail Cave, including a giant Moldorm, Link receives his first instrument- the 'Full Moon Cello'. With the complete set of instruments, Link would be able to wake the Wind Fish and leave the Island. Kaepora Gaebora tells Link the location of each instrument as he needs to.

As Link gathers more and more of the Instruments, he begins to understand the nature of the island. At a shrine in the southeast of the island, he discovers a tablets that says the island is but an illusion 'on the sleeper's eye' and when the Wind Fish wakes, everything will disappear, including Marin who Link has taken an obvious shine to. Unsure if the writings were true, Link presses on with his quest.

With all 8 instruments, Link travels to Tal Tal Heights to wake the Wind Fish. Playing the song taught to him by Marin, the egg cracks open, revealing a maze like structure inside. Using a path which he found at the library in Mabe Village, Link reaches the Nightmare's lair. In truth, these nightmares have forced the Wind Fish to sleep forever, as they have complete control over the land. A battle ensues, with the shadowy entity changing forms many times. A number of these resemble enemies from previous Zelda games, such as Agahnim and Ganon. the fight culminates with the shape of dethl- a two-armed, one eyed monster. With this final form defeated, a staircase appears, leading Link to the Wind Fish.

The Wind Fish resembles a giant whale with a pair of small wings on his back. The Wind Fish awakens, along with Link who was also asleep. The island of Koholint fades from the horizon and the picture returns to Link, drifting along on a piece of driftwood.

Differences from Link's Awakening

Color Dungeon

Main article: Color Dungeon

A new dungeon, including several enemies, puzzles, bosses, and two rewards, were added to take advantage of the new colored graphics. Many of the puzzles require identifying colors in order to progress. At the end of the dungeon, Link meets the Fairy Queen, who offers him the "power of color": a Red Mail for increased offense or a Blue Mail for increased defense.

Photographs

Main article: Link's Awakening Photographs

The DX version adds a Photographer who can take Link's picture at various points throughout the story. These photographs are then stored in a Photo Album in the Camera Shop.

Owl Statues

Main article: Owl Statue

In the original game, Stone Slabs could be found all over Koholint Island that had to be completed with a Stone Slab Fragment. However, in the DX port, these slabs were replaced with Owl Statues and Stone Beaks.

Spirit of the Mansion

Main article: Spirit of the Mansion

When Link visits the Seashell Mansion, a voice will speak to him in the DX version to give him a hint about the purpose of the building. This voice was not present in the original game.

Marin Ending

In the original Link's Awakening, if the player successfully completes the game without any deaths, Marin flies across the screen with wings. However, in Link's Awakening DX, a picture of Marin's face is shown in the sky. It slowly fades away, revealing a seagull.

Gallery

Main article: Gallery:Link's Awakening

See also: Gallery:Link's Awakening Bosses, Gallery:Link's Awakening Characters, Gallery:Link's Awakening Enemies, and Gallery:Link's Awakening Mini-Bosses

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  Link

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  Marin

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  The Owl

Screenshots

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  Title screen, Game Boy Color

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  Title screen & border, Super Game Boy

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  Link waking in bed in Marin and Tarin's House at the start of the game.

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  Mabe Village Library

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  Tail Cave

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  Island map

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  Nintendo Switch Online

Videos

Game Intro

Zelda Dungeon video walkthrough

Nintendo Switch Online - Game Boy & Game Boy Advance Announcement