Link's Awakening Remake is Underwhelming

[@KingKlonoa]

Writing the usual preface that this is just my opinion, objective critique does not exist, and that I welcome all disagreements as long as we all show civility. I know for a fact I have a fringe opinion regarding this remake, and the concept of remakes in general. I expect you all to give me your two cents! Just because I wasn't a huge fan of the remake doesn't mean you can't love how they handled it.

[@jacobhobart845]

I did like your video alot. However I think it's unfair to say we are stuck in this safe remake age because Nintendo is making new Zelda titles. (Botw) They seem to want to embrace new outlooks of their series and provide new and exciting games for us.

[@danny2256]

Hi King! I always appreciate good discourse even with differing opinions and I hate when people get too worked up when others disagree. If you're interested, here's the take I have as someone who has considered Link's Awakening to be his favorite Zelda for decades. To me (meaning this is subjective!) Link's Awakening remake was a magical experience where I not only recaptured a sense of childhood wonder but actually found myself liking the game /more/ than I had in the past. A huge aspect of this for me was the music. It was such a bummer to me with past Grezzo remakes how they were afraid to redo the music at all, and you can absolutely tell the music staff for this remake /adored/ the original ost. I won't pretend to be an objective authority on anything artistic, but perhaps it may help to shine clarity on my perspective by saying I'm a professional musician. I have a degree in singing opera and have studied what makes music effective for ages. That being said, the music in the remake not only honors the original ost in terms of tempi and feel, but the small chamber group they hired for the ost is full of top notch musicians. There's a playfulness to their sound while they also have pinpoint accuracy in terms of pitch and emotion. Additionally, the arrangements add harmonic depth to many tunes that previously only had a few lines of counter melodies due to the limitations of the Gameboy. And I already ADORED the Gameboy soundtrack. To hear it expanded upon with more uses of the ballad of the windfish, revamped dungeon music and instrumentalists whose love for Zelda I feel comes through every note, this soundtrack made me weep multiple times. The fps drop really never bothered me. I absolutely acknowledge it! It's just not something that affects my enjoyment. I respect that it has that effect on others, and assume others can respect that it did not take away from my enjoyment. The game was a visual feast for my senses. And finally, the numerous quality of life improvements for gameplay made 100% completing it a joy rather than a chore where I fight against limited hardware (remember, I ADORE the original). And I still have 12 chamber dungeons to come back to whenever I'm ready to sink more time into one of my favorite all time games. 10/10, far and away the best grezzo remake, and probably my game of the year.

[@Antiformed]

"objective critique does not exist" lmao you don't have to be such an apologist for daring to have opinions, god forbid anyone these days can ever say a criticism is factually valid and self-evident.

[@crashschwarzen4642]

but Objective critique do exist...

[@jacobhobart845]

@@AntiformedAntiform that is true. who cares that your opinions are different. I subscribe to his channel because he has strong opinions and I want to compare and contrast those ideas to mine. I like his videos because he knows how to articulate his thoughts.

[@magepumpkin]

I’m just glad there’s a version of Link’s Awakening where I don’t have to pause every 5 seconds.

[@V1CT1MIZED]

Then came the PC port 3 years later that is the definitive version. It will run on a potato too.

[@StrobaCat]

@@V1CT1MIZED the PC port ruins the screen transitions and the mystery of puzzles in the dungeon, it really doesnt do it justice like this remake does

[@Narodle]

@@StrobaCatyou can just zoom in the screen to be like the base game

[@StrobaCat]

@@Narodle yeah but doesnt have those cool transitions screens in dungeons, like even the remake respected that, this pc port didnt respect shit, is just an ugly pc port play the Super Awakening romhack, has the QoL improvements of more buttons like in the remake + is based off the DX version so you can enjoy everything about the original more

[@NerevarineKing]

Romhacks can fix all the issues of the original, so reason to buy an overpriced remake with a worse art style.

[@Qaddosh]

I never got to play Link's Awakening on any other system, so this remake was a real treat for me.

[@corbelan4]

Same. I don’t remember having any complaints while during my first play through

[@frankmarano1118]

@@corbelan4 well yeah all his complaints were because he was comparing it to the original. This always happens when you know the source material, its inevitable. Think about when books are turned into movies & the guy who read them complaining about how they changed this part or that part

[@megaman37456]

@@frankmarano1118 To be fair I played all 3 version, the OG Gameboy Version, the GBC Version, and the Switch version, imo the Switch version is superior, so many QOL improvements, plus entirely new features.

[@supersmashbro596]

@@frankmarano1118 as someone who knows the original like the back of my hand, this was a real treat. and i view the comparisons as all positives. sure, you can go back to the original. it's not bad. but what this does really fleshes it out.

[@ralphthejedimaster]

the decision to not have full analog movement is a baffling one, 8 directions is so jarring in a 3d game, especially after a link between worlds (retrospective when)

[@rudeboyspodcast]

Please, I need a retrospective on my all-time favorite Zelda game. I love Link Between Worlds SO DAMN MUCH. I don't care if it's "easy," it's fun and cool, dang it.

[@ralphthejedimaster]

@@rudeboyspodcast anyone who says it's too easy should try hero mode

[@anonymousfellow8879]

I haven’t had the chance to play the remake yet, but I can see both sides about the movement. However, I’ll fight anyone about the soundtrack. THIS is what I’ve been waiting for out of a soundtrack, and why I prefer BotW’s score waaaaayyyyyy more than SS. Also recorders are fantastic. (And I’ll forever be salty about gradeschool teachers ruining them for the public consciousness.) The BigBand for LBW only really worked for me because those tracks progressed WITH the game to serve a storytelling purpose. They weren’t plopped in from the start. (But I still prefer all the music Prior to BigBand tracks, and the MilkBar versions of the songs.) Zelda sounds best as folkish, somewhat atmospheric music. Not a big brass orchestra on full blast

[@packerman1203]

Nazo the only thing that pissed me off, even in normal mode, was the difficulty jump from the whole game to the yuganon fight

[@pongo1342]

Anonymous Fellow I think the best sound track is ocarinas. I don’t like ocarina as a game but the soundtrack is great. However the original soundtrack isn’t that great but Marcus Hedges’ orchestral remaster is phenomenal

[@theadamsapple5909]

That's a pretty fair take, although, from the perspective of someone who's never played Link's Awakening before, and was introduced to it by this game, I really enjoyed myself. Link's Awakening always interested me but I never had much reason to play it - yes it's a couple bucks on the Virtual Console, but it's still a GameBoy Color game. I tried playing the Oracle games on VC but they never clicked with me; these games are just too old for me to enjoy, personally. So the remake is just about the perfect thing for me, no poor item management, no screen transitions, better visuals, and it's conveniently on the Switch. The game introduced me to this wonderful world, full of vibrant color and eclectic characters. I understand the need to innovate and make new Zelda games for newer generations, but I feel there's absolutely nothing wrong with remaking old classics, especially if they're well done. Especially since the guys who make these remakes, Grezzo, mostly stick to remakes and are completely independent of Nintendo EAD/EPD. Anyway, great video overall, though!

[@tenacious645]

Purest usually forget that not everyone can just jump into the original version and stay invested. I used to trash anyone who couldn't get into the original Resident Evil games, but now after I've tried playing many games that I missed the first time around and got the "this aged poorly" feel, it's TOTALLY understandable how someone could have an impossible time getting into it. A lot of works really are a product of their time. Games are no different. Goldeneye on 64 may be amazing to me, but I have a context to put it in. A new comer wouldn't.

[@pflaumi123]

I understand the point of these games beeing too old and hard to get into if one doesnt like that kind of artstyle and controls in these days. But I can still recommend the Oracle games if u wanna give em a real shot. Seasons has the best and hardest puzzles, while Ages is more combat focused and is the most challenging one of the Zelda series.

[@Mintcar923]

TheAdamsApple I’d have remade Zelda 1 & 2 together calling it Zelda Origins.. I suppose this is ok but why out of everything to choose it has to be this one

[@pflaumi123]

@@OverbiteGames Also possible I mixed them up. Was like 5 years ago i dug for my gameboy to play some of its games again. What I remember clearly is that one had the best puzzles while the other was the most challenging combat.

[@alanlee67]

TheAdamsApple yup. I grew up in the 90s and I was immersed fully in the original on game boy pocket. That dark ass screen sitting next to a lamp felt like playing horizon zero dawn on a 4k tv back then. But honestly, it's unplayable to me now. I don't understand retro gamers that geek over playing old games.

[@DrBeauHightower]

I loved it. Never got to play the original

[@calendarfactory8566]

Chad

[@monopic4256]

Why are you here

[@hansyali_]

One of my favourite games on the switch. I agree

[@joshdean5867]

Ok , that’s cool of you

[@GamerOverThere]

Same here

[@Itsthatbun]

I'm not gonna lie, I usually love your Zelda videos and agree with almost everything you say, but literally the only critique you've mentioned in this one that I agree with was that the Dungeon Maker was extremely underwhelming. The only framerate issues I ever encountered where when transitioning into new separate areas. While annoying, it was a very minor issue. Movement and combat felt fantastic to me, the music was great, and the visuals were great too. I genuinely feel that the remake improves upon almost every aspect of the original. I definitely don't think it was worth the full $60 pricetag, but I don't regret spending it.

[@nworder4life]

teams of people work on these games, it's always worth the $60 price tag

[@imheretowatchstuff9102]

@@nworder4life I massively disagree, demanding a $60 from a game that already sells for $2 is like saying the remake is 30x better. which its clearly not. granted the quality of the games visuals and being a new release warrant a higher price, I don't think it calls for anything more than $30. Just because a team of people worked on it doesn't actually make the game worth anything really.

[@nworder4life]

@@imheretowatchstuff9102 you are undercutting what they did. Live orchestral soundtracks, new game engine, new script writers, translators, art designs, new encoding, new modes. People need to stop thinking everything is for them, this isn't mcdonalds our way right away now, this is 100+ people putting in hard work, pay the damn 60 dollars or don't buy it.

[@TheBriguy1998]

@@nworder4life It's not our fault if people spent loads of time working on something and it didn't turn out that much much better that the original. By that logic, paying to go see a crappy Transformers movie is worth it because hundreds of animators spend months making the CGI for those giant robots; clearly its fair to say that many of those movies are pretty bad and not worth the price tag. I'm not saying that some things that they did aren't great, but as was said, the remake isn't 30x better than the original, so it doesn't warrant being 30x more expensive.

[@imheretowatchstuff9102]

@@nworder4life first of all. We do need to think its for us. Thats what videoganes are ALL about. That being said, yes theres a lot of effort put into a remake and there's a lotnof content. However, do you really think they put just as much effort into this as they would have a brand new zelda? They disnt have to completely write a whole new story, or a whole new map and world and puzzles. I dont think this game took 0 effort, nor do i say it's lazy. I just think it's not worthy of bearing the same price tag that a game like BotW holds.

[@nagekun]

My critique: It's $60

[@westingtyler1]

wait holy shit are you serious? Link's Awakening remake should be $25 on launch day. They really charged 60 dollars no wonder they spammed the game with extra heart pieces and sea shells. they clearly wanted to "trick" players into thinking they were getting $60 worth of content.

[@noahhatton]

and for us Canadians its $90

[@HansAlRachid]

This pretty much. It's a wonderful game with gorgeous visuals and a rock-solid base to work off of, but since they didn't really do anything substantial at all with it, the price point is impossible to justify.

[@timetravelingoldman6839]

The only thing that doesn't make this game woth thd $90 is the frame rate.

[@wozthescott2804]

@@HansAlRachid My sentiments exactly

[@colbylombard7879]

The song that plays as you escort Marin to the animal village contributes to the cute tone and style this remake is going for. I can’t say I agree with your criticism towards the soundtrack.

[@Jackpkmn]

as someone sensitive to high pitched noises i can assure you there is nothing 'cute' about the horrible sounds a recorder makes.

[@amauryvazquez8073]

Yeah I think it fits really well. Sure the track sounds kind of childish but I figured that was kind of the point. It sounds like two little kids running around and having adventures together.

[@gamemakertim]

Exactly my thoughts. I think the music fits the style of the game really well.

[@filipisotter5114]

I love the music from the remake

[@anonymousfellow8879]

Pandaren Warrior Sorry that gradeschool teachers forever ruined them for you. But btw, the flutes that play for most Traditional/Modal christmas&yule carols are actually recorders. And alto and tenor recorders exist.

[@Ghost217163]

Great video. Disagree with almost everything. But still a great video, keep them coming please!

[@MrFunkmastac]

😂😂

[@TheLazarusOperation]

This is the wholesome KZbin that was foretold

[@nam9085]

literally me

[@BlackStarSymphony]

This is the ideal comment

[@conradforeman5196]

Yeah same

[@ryandewerff]

I completely disagree with the soundtrack complaints. I love everything about the soundtrack and think the mixture of new and old is really cool

[@AndresLionheart]

I feel some songs are better and some are worse. For example, Tal Tal Mountains doesn't sound as energetic anymore. Overall the OST is better, though.

[@PedroKrebs]

Absolutely agree

[@markabyss1200]

I mean... the boss theme kinda sucks now. That's the only one I actually dislike though.

[@scorpionsapprentice3248]

the music in the remake is hit or miss if you ask me. face shrine was great while the color dungon sounds much better in 8 bit.

[@frankmarano1118]

Yeah but the part @ 19:08 is literally not meshing together & playing 2 different things are actually clashing like if you played 2 different songs at the same time. & I'm a musician who has played guitar for 15 years & am big into experimental music like switching time signatures multiple times per song so I'm all about doing unusual things but those notes were clashing with each other lol I'm sure the rest of the soundtrack is of great though. Well the recorders were painful to hear lol but tjay was done for personality, it was supposed to sound low quality & "cute".

[@Ninten007]

The quality of life improvements (button mapped items and non-screen restricted world ) so drastically improves this version from the original to me that I can't see myself bothering to ever play the old one again. Though I agree that the music falls short of what I hoped since the original had such potential to be improved. Though it does complement the visual theme. I also never even set foot in Dampe's shack. It also felt expensive. Nintendo needs to have a nether price tier for some of these smaller games. It seems strange that $60 gets me this or something BotW. Even a drop to $50 or $45 would make me feel a little better, considering equal sized indie games tend to be $20.

[@fredjd11]

I agree, I don’t feel the video gives enough credit to how much the reworked item system improves the overall experience of the game. There is no mention of how tying the shield to the trigger button, for example, has significantly improved the (still rather simplistic) combat-in the original, by comparison, the shield is almost useless. The end of the video makes it seem that it’s a genuine question as to which version of the game one should opt for and even though I don’t disagree with a lot of the criticisms of the remake articulated in this video it still seems to me to be a no-brainer to go for the remake over the original. The only thing that would make me prefer the original at this point would be nostalgia, which the author of the video claims to have none of.

[@jackiexkh]

As someone who’s never played the remake or the original, my only problem is the price. Nintendo is selling a remake of a short Gameboy game for $60, Meanwhile Activision is selling 3 remakes of PS1 games all in one package for just $40.

[@epicwolves125]

It’s on sale 99% of the time

[@woweezowee5826]

@@epicwolves125 and its still way too expensive

[@vedi0boy]

It would have been nice if it included both oracle games too. They could even reuse the same engine for all and it would be great

[@ZelosSama]

its nintendo. They don't want you to question anything and just by because you're a fan

[@leonpaelinck]

lmao if you find this overpriced you're gonna be outraged with the 60$ wii port of skyward sword. at least they put effort in this game

[@TheQuizzyB]

I personally enjoyed the musical changes. The tilt-shift camera and clay/toy visuals are perfectly complemented by the "toy" instruments like recorder and bells.

[@thomasr.6669]

And then there’s me who filled the entire dungeon with as many chest rooms with as little rooms with locked doors as I could do so I could gain more rupees while investing my time with the Dungeon Maker lol.

[@codyrisling1718]

Thomas R. I think anyone who invested time into the maker did that hahah.. I can say I did

[@Triforce469]

You mention that the seashell tunner can ruin the fun of finding them but there is a option to turn it off

[@skibot9974]

i wonder if he sees this

[@765craven4]

I can see why the extra seashells would bother some people. To me it mostly felt like padding. And I completely agree that the dungeon maker feels underdeveloped, if it had been given the Mario Maker treatment, being able to download and play other peoples creations and upload your own it would have been substantially better, even if that was the only addition made (though I also think that it's dumb that you can't select what's in chests, you can't really pick how warps work, etc.). I think the new soundtrack has more songs that were improved by the new arrangements than were hurt, but the ones that suffered came out horribly.

[@MuadDib27]

For me, looking for the extra seashells helped me find Easter eggs that I missed in the DX version. When I played the ocarina for the walrus in the remake, out of curiosity I flipped on my 3DS and found the same feature in the DX iteration. So that was pretty cool :)

[@keatonkitsune4064]

You have to play the ocarina for the walrus. You cannot progress otherwise.

[@kcant412]

@@keatonkitsune4064 you need Marin to sing for the Walrus to move. But returning later and playing the ocarina nets you a seashell.

[@keatonkitsune4064]

@@kcant412 I know, but I've never gotten her to the walrus without knowing the Ballad of the Windfish, so I conflated them in my mind.

[@HarryPotter738]

Combining the old chiptune music and the new music was probably my favorite part of the new music, i loved it. The only incredibly small qualms I had with it were how they changed the sound effects for using the pegasus boots and when the instruments show up when you play the ballad.

[@supersmashbro596]

my favorite track was the southern shrine music. it only plays in a couple rooms, and at first it sounds like a faithful remake of the real gutpunch that was the original southern shrine. then you begin to read the relief. you learn the true nightmare you are in. all those monsters, that beautiful girl who found you, her father, bow-wow... weren't real. this isn't just an island you are stranded on... you're in a purgatory. and at this moment, the strings kick in to just show us the sorrow you must carry through the rest of the game. and this carries into the face shrine proper... where the chiptune music chimes in occaisionally. not overpowering, but droning on, just showing you how hopeless you must be feeling.

[@BenRK90]

Sadly I do not agree with you for the most part. I found the music to be quite enjoyable in every part. I found that the part where Link is with Marin and the theme has been changed to use recorders making it seem like Link him self was excited with childish glee to be on a "date" with Marin (or vice versa). The hookshot in the rapids ride I think was an improvement, allowing for more then just luck and memorization while still being challenging in parts. Even the frame drops weren't all that distracting honestly. For me of course. Also, I think I'm the only person in the world who actually enjoyed the dungeon maker thing. I knew it wasn't going to be Zelda Maker, but I still found it fun to do the challenges and make my own dungeons, even if they aren't much. Anyway, don't agree with you, but hey, no big deal. Keep making videos you enjoy making dag nabbit!

[@tinibari456]

Yeah, especially the music bit. The new music is phenomenal, for the most part.

[@jeandupreez9522]

I also think the chamber dungeons were quite enjoyable. When they showed it off at E3 I didn’t expect it to be a full Zelda maker, and I enjoyed it for what it is.

[@323starlight]

I personally think the Dungeon maker was Nintendo beta testing a Zelda Dungeon Maker spinoff game.

[@fafnirchaos0711]

It's funny that he says he's objective, when in reality he is less so. This comment is a fair comment and I agree with it, where is the heart, or a comment towards something a lot of other people agree with. Only towards what he agrees with.

[@ThunderStruck115]

I actually really liked the remix of Angler's Tunnel. It turned one of the most grating tracks in the original into one of my favorites in the remake. The original Game Boy chiptune works great as a background track while the main piece is playing.

[@masonpayne358]

I Haven't played the game but i came here just to say that i think it sounds really awesome actually. So well done

[@yonyunior]

It’s nice that this newer generation will be able to experience how great this game was. But I don’t think this should’ve been 60 dollars. It’s dated. I would say 40 max.

[@pickedceasar1216]

Eh that's more the corporate side of things which I don't think should be counted against the game as a whole as Nintendo has always had a bad habit of overselling their games and not ever decreasing or putting them on sale. They've only recently started doing deals and price reductions but it's primarily for digital

[@frankmarano1118]

@J Its definitely specifically a Nintendo issue They're literally the worst game co.lany when it comes to pricing very old games. I remember on the nintendo e shop they were charging like 20 dollars plus for black & white gameboy games. & unknown ones, not even the classics. During the time much better games are free on mobile. Like come on lol

[@HiddenAccount]

@@frankmarano1118 Those very same phone games are gacha lootbox filled simulators, Nintendo is far from a perfect company but the reason the games are set at these prices is for two reasons, people keep buying them regardless of price and secondly, the quality of Nintendo games is consistantly good, Sony and Xbox are nowhere near close to having the same hold on exclusives/first party as Nintendo does Based on your comment, you just want to hate on Nintendo overall

[@frankmarano1118]

@@HiddenAccount Bud we are talking about 20 dollars for black and white gameboy games & stuff so ancient theres barely even any gameplay to them. You are coping so hard right now, thats anti consumer af compared to pricing for classic games from literally everyone else. You can get final fantasy 9 for like 8 bucks, no gacha there is there? Thats a much longer MUCH better looking ps1 game. (Nintendo also does loot box gambling games like mario kart mobile so dont know if you want to go there either) You "gave away the game" & said yourself they price it that way, "because people keep buying it." Do you seriously not understand youre working against yourself here? Charging more than what something is worth because you know people will cave & pay for it is the DEFINITION of what anti consumer is. Ps5 scalpers also do this, do you really think that was a sound argument? Lmao. You seem like a nintendo fan boy who has to run up & defend them from even the bad things that they do. Why? Im not a nintendo hater at all, cant wait to play some switch games when I get the chance. I love fire emblem, zelda, etc. I just dont defend them when they rip people off with terrible deals worst than any of their competitors on classic games. How does sticking up for the consumer make me a nintendo hater? Because im pointing out when something is clearly overpriced? Youre defending overpriced classic game prices for them which are anti consumer. Doesnt that make YOU the nintendo corporate bootlicker/shill? Im not trying to be mean to you, im just trying to make you wake up to reality here & thats the only way i know how to do it. To contrast both our actions. I pointed out a bad thing done by nintendo. I never said I hate nintendo or anything of the sort, thats projection or something. I grew up with Nintendo just like you did, from N64 to Gamecube to now. Thats why I CARE AT ALL about classic game prices dont you get it?

[@JakeyJones]

Nintendo doesn’t develop Zelda remakes in house. They out source that to other companies with heavy supervision, I believe it’s the same people who remade Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. My point is there’s no other option they could be working on INSTEAD of Links’s Awakening / future Oracle remakes. Zelda has a 3D and 2D team always working on the next Zelda games. If we hadn’t of gotten Link’s Awakening remake or another remake we would have nothing in it’s place. There’s not an either or thing going on with the remakes. I get your critique of the dungeon maker completely but in this video it quite bummed me out as I had a wonderful time with game and it’s my first time playing and enjoying such a wonderful adventure. The music rocked my world and the bit tunes mix made me feel welcome and happy like I get to experience that old nostalgia too. The art style kept me playing and made this feel like a brand new game. Everything in my play through went so smoothly because of the changes Nintendo made. I never got frustrated with the shells because I had the locator thing and I got the rapids mechanic with the hook shot right away. I understand where you’re coming from having played the original and having attachments to that one but after watching so many videos outlining the changes Nintendo made to make this game more enjoyable than the original it’s clear it’s an all around great remake. Everything down to the warps being easy when I got lost to the sense of progression I got from the claw displays. This game was very polished and cared about the new players and I think somewhere down the line you may have missed the reality that no one is going to play these classic games as were anymore. There’s really no choice people really need to make. I know I’m never going to play the Oracle games until they come out on switch. I’m barely keeping myself entertained with a Link to the Past because of how aged the game is. It’s a classic and I’m really enjoying it but games have progressed so much that the old quirks of the past really stump me in some areas. With Pokémon Let’s Go and now this I’m having my own personal game boy experiences and I’m very thankful to Nintendo for making these games a reality.

[@kylecampbell565]

also that line of thinking isn't limited to remakes or even video games. Let's pretend for a second I didn't find Breath of the Wild a good game (haven't gotten a chance to play it yet) and Im not the biggest Zelda fan in general. So when the sequel to BOTW was announced this year would it be fair for me to hate it because theoretically Nintendo EAD could've instead made Super Mario Oddessy 2, Pikmin 4, Splatoon 3, or a new IP?

[@LocalContentShow]

I get almost all of these critiques, and the larger-than-you'd-expect effect that seashells now being hidden in grouped trees has on the game is something I hadn't even thought of, but "Having to use the hookshot is a slap in the face to fans" is possibly the most hyperbolic sentence I've ever heard said about a Zelda game.

[@KingKlonoa]

Maybe that was exaggerated, but I also spent no more than a minute on that point.

[@rarm5899]

KingK I think it might’ve been a non-issue if they changed it so the only way you could access the mini game at all was with the hookshot. Then you might have it in your head to use that item while riding through the rapids.

[@howai4204]

I feel like the recorder critique was hyperbolic, too

[@JakeRandall]

Game makes something easier: Complains Game makes something more challenging: Complains more

[@TerraWare]

I love the remake and I think it's totally worth it, it's a game that has a lot of nostalgia for a lot of people including my self, it was my first Zelda game when I first played a Gameboy back in 99. With that said this video is a pretty good well thought out critique. I'm sure it'll trigger some people but it really shouldn't because one needs a different set of eyes to look at something that you may be blind to by nostalgia or prejudices.

[@SheaN10266]

I love this game but I feel like it should only be 40 - 50 bucks.

[@smactork]

I agree with a lot of this video, especially the directional movement problems and some of the strange musical choices. But as for the things that are literally optional: you can turn off the tuning fork, or just not do the seashell quest past the heart piece it gives you, if you don't want to. As for the dungeon maker, I thought of it as more of a "Greatest Hits" mode, where you could place and revisit the dungeon rooms and bosses you liked the most. We all know it's not Zelda Maker yet. Also, I'm surprised you didn't have a section talking about this game as the FIRST iteration of Link's Awakening for newcomers or younger people, which I thing would be interesting to look at.

[@pflaumi123]

If this was a trial they and we had to go through I rly hope for a Zelda Maker now that u mentioned it. Even if it has to be limited to 2D creation to be simple enough like in Mario Maker.

[@fredjd11]

Exactly, if I had to choose between which version to recommend to someone who had never played the game in any form, without a doubt I would rec the remake. That doesn’t excuse the flaws of the remake per se but it does make the argument that the remake is an improved version of the game while remaining true to is source material.

[@bugweasel]

I was really sad to see the photographer removed from the game. I really liked having those cute photos. Made only worse by what it was replaced with and locking heart pieces behind it! For a completionist like myself it just was such a slog

[@megaman37456]

I love the chamber dungeons, it actually allows me to use some creativity when 100%ing the game. I've done about 6 fully 100% runs as a completionist, meaning I've made EVERY chamber dungeon slot, and didn't half-ass it. I just find it fun and relaxing.

[@michaelthem3]

The pictures could be printed on the gbc printer, maybe that's why they took it off, but I loved the pictures and loved the moment when you steal from the store, then the mouse catches you on camera and everyone calls you Thief.

[@luweaselll]

damn i actually thought anglers tunnel was the best dungeon song in the game

[@FrokenKeke]

It's dope as fuck.

[@YeahAlright1983]

@@FrokenKeke ^this

[@Arcessitor]

@@Moo_Nieu It's not ALL a matter of taste. It's one thing to say you don't like a song: it's another to call it and its inclusion bad.

[@XpRnz]

Face Shrine music is definitely my fav.. Ridiculously good, nearly too much for the game.

[@JoshLeitzel]

Yea honestly wasn’t expecting something so nice given his critical build up. But hey music is pretty subjective and I at least get what he was referring to. But me personally, I thought the “discordant” quality was a positive aspect to it.

[@flewis02]

So glad someone agrees with this being WAY overpriced as a remake...spyro and crash put 3 fully remade games into a 40 dollar package...Nintendo is being plain greedy with this game and I refuse to rebuy a 30 year old game for 60 bucks when I bought it twice already..once on OG game boy...and again on Gamboy Color DX edition

[@kyanitefrog3880]

Strait up best point i have heard on this. 100% agree!

[@isetmfriendsofire]

Nintendo being greedy with their legacy content, ha, what's new

[@flewis02]

@@isetmfriendsofire worst is the fact that with each console we have to wait ages for any legacy content instead of a unified store front like Sony and Microsoft that allows u to keep playing games sometimes for completely free

[@isetmfriendsofire]

@@flewis02 And we keep getting less and less every time!

[@flewis02]

@@isetmfriendsofire FACTS! The Damn Wii had the best library of Legacy content and orginal indie games, sure the switch is a haven for all games now especial indies, but I would love to be able to access the many games I already paid for WITHOUT a new service, payment or slow drip feed of old games that are mostly boring and ignored, Freaking NES and SNES library on the switch is terrible

[@MasonOfLife]

I do love the Switch Remake...but for 80$ Canadian it’s asking too much just plain and simple

[@rajko15]

I just got it now after waiting a year for a price drop lol

[@Matanumi]

I just straight up pirated the game- even 50 plus tax is asking too much

[@edwardcosio]

Honestly, I really enjoyed the recorders. They were played very well. Good articulations from the performers and their surprisingly good intonation. I could tell it was given a good amount of care to present this cute interlude section in the game. 😅

[@nymboi6865]

Don't wanna burst your bubble but they're sampled. The samples were played by amazing players, but they're still sampled.

[@edwardcosio]

@@nymboi6865 lol heck

[@nymboi6865]

@@edwardcosio ye. East west samples. Altho the players are really good.

[@fence7446]

I almost entirely disagree with this video. A lot of the complaints felt like they made it different so I don't like it. Chamber dungeons were without a doubt the weakest aspect of the game and were just kind of cumbersome to get through however I feel like it's a stepping stone to a better version of itself. The frame rate absolutely needs to be fixed though as early on I noticed that many times and it was quite frustrating though it got less frequent it seems as I went on. Beyond that my only wish was that they had mapped the feather to something the way they did with the boots as it would free up a near constantly filled item slot. But to go back to my criticism of this video it seems like a lot of your combat "encumbrance" issues were just you expecting it to be one way when it wasn't and not adapting as I have not experienced the original due to it not being accessible to me as I don't have a 3DS and had no issues whatsoever. It was also frustrating watching your clip you played of them "nerfing the jump" while you tried to mak a jump that no where in the game can you make a jump that long which is why you are intended to use the hookshot on the rock which I felt could be quite misleading for someone who has not played the game. Accessibility is another thing, not everyone has a 3DS. The 3DS isn't getting support like the switch making this a much more accessible game let alone being much less encumbering to play with not having to swap items every 30 seconds. I usually love your videos generally but can't expect to agree on everything always.

[@KingKlonoa]

You could make that jump in the original, that was my point there. They changed the jump physics and made it more stiff, which absolutely does affect the entire game. If I'm not allowed to compare the remake to the original, why does the remake exist?

[@360dom360]

To add to this: the end where he says "could we have had a new game instead of this?" The answer is pretty much no. The cost to make a remake is much lower than the cost to design and make a new game from scratch. And I suspect had Grezzo not seen the success with this game, they wouldn't have had an opportunity to make a new game anyways. For all we know this was Nintendo's way of giving Grezzo a new game by having them price they can do top down in the first place.

[@zenatta234]

Fence I disagree with your point about the 8 direction controls. Often whilst aiming left and right I found myself attacking on an angle that was not my intention. As opposed to the original, the 8 directions did not add any depth or control improvements as it only complicated things further by artificially creating more room for error. The only way I found improvement was by swapping from my pro-controller to a GameCube controller with notches on the control stick. This doesn’t make the game bad, but I do agree it brings its problems.

[@fence7446]

@@zenatta234 I feel as though it may be a preference thing. I can certainly agree that this game could have been better to control with full analog control as it is generally better.

[@fence7446]

@@KingKlonoa my apologies you're right while it may be that the jump was clearable in the original it seems that Grezzo intended for that to be done one way and as such lowered the distance you could get away with jumping

[@pinkfloyd36123]

one of my biggest issues with the remake is the price tag. full price for what is a visual upgrade with some quality of life improvements of a 20 year old game is absurd when activision put out the spyro trilogy featuring 3 games remade in the same vein, for less than full price. once again nintendo is able to get away with shit purely because they're nintendo and their brand loyalty is insane

[@GKoopa]

Well, I pretty much agree with none of your criticisms except for the framerate which is indeed obviously bad. Especially the conclusion of "this now replaces the original and that's bad." But fine video, I do understand where you're coming from.

[@rarm5899]

Haven’t watched the video yet but why on earth would replacing the original be bad lol. That’s kinda the whole point of a remake.

[@arthursimsa9005]

@@rarm5899 sorry what? Ok, let's make another Mona Lisa and say it replaces the old one. That's the point of a remake.

[@rarm5899]

@@arthursimsa9005 That..sure is a comparison

[@Link-pr9id]

@@arthursimsa9005 aye my man is consistently making stupid comments down the thread 😂 why tf are you bringing up the Mona Lisa when it’s about a sound track, the point of a remake is to refresh, renew upon what is there, which they did for the most part, especially with the music. Why in the world you’re bringing up 1500 ad paintings who knows, hope you get the help you need angry lad

[@Aegisdex]

I like to see both oracle games remade but they are in a single package like a collection

[@kevinramirez3134]

With the success of LA Remake, Nintendo, Grezzo, and Aonuma could eventually remake the other Game Boy Zelda games in the future after they finish work on BOTW2. Maybe this could open the door for Nintendo to develop brand new original 2D Zelda games, develop a 3rd Oracle game that they originally had planned but cancelled, and even developer Inti Creates (Developers of Mega Man Zero series and Azure Striker Gunvolt series) has shown interest in wanting to remake Zelda 2 The Adventure of Link for Nintendo. Also, you should check out the Link's Awakening Japanese Manga!

[@polverine7491]

Aegisdex that would be awesome

[@Lightspeeds]

@@kevinramirez3134 I hope that this is what happens, or they allow another Cadence of Hyrule game to be made.

[@Sephvion]

Aegisdex Hah... Hahaha. We know better than that. Be ready to shell out $120.

[@cookiebandit18]

They're not going to release it as two seperate games. I'm sure it'd be awesome money grubbing, but there isn't a world where Nintendo wants to compete against its own game.

[@jwoodsonmusic]

Gotta hard disagree with just about everything you said about the soundtrack

[@TapDat52K]

Nintendo optimizes its sound. I do think they took the direction for the soundtrack in a unique direction. But music is very preferance based. So i can see some people liking remixes of other songs and vice versa.

[@PunishedNegativeZer0]

Same. I can't stop listening to it.

[@e-scorts7485]

Soundtrack is fire tbh

[@chuganoga1908]

My guy the music was one of the spots this game did so well it’s a perfect remake in my book and Nintendo did an outstanding job on this one

[@skydiamsteam6005]

lol

[@ohmyupoorchild]

The music is great, but he raises good points. The stuttering frame rate is jarring and the game was already fine as it was. The few quality of life upgrades and graphical overhaul wasn’t necessary.

[@chuganoga1908]

@@ohmyupoorchild i agree but the quality of life features only improved what was already a great game for me without taking away anything the original game had. I don’t think this remake wasn’t necessary but it’s a good one none the less. I really don’t know why Nintendo feels the need to port a lot of games and do all these remakes when they can be focusing more on delivering brand new games or IPs. I understand the Wii U tanked but ehh these ports are a bit too much

[@RhizometricReality]

I'm totally cool with these remakes. Anyone can always load a rom on a phone or fridge if i really wanted to go back to the old game. Want Oracle Saga

[@MarioTube101]

Yeah, play the game on your smart fridge! That way, you don't have to go to a different room to have a snack!

[@RhizometricReality]

@@MarioTube101 That's the joke indeed. Point is, remake the Oracle Saga

[@SheaN10266]

A fridge?

[@madmaster0015]

A 1-1 remake of a GB game shouldn't be worth $60. Especially when the Crash and Spyro Trilogies were sold for $40.

[@HiddenAccount]

Nintendo Tax as i call it, they place the price high because regardless of what it is, people will buy it because even if it is overpriced, 90% of the time, the games are amazing

[@mangotango8115]

A moment of silence for the photographer. His sacrifice was for an unworthy cause.😔😔😔

[@AlexTackett1998]

Can we at least all agree that marin is the most adorable thing to exist

[@lrc4263]

Cyllian Emrys no

[@bensjammin9]

Cyllian Emrys Marin is one of the best characters in the whole series.

[@bensjammin9]

Dylan Arnold I hope you’re joking lmao

[@Brawler_1337]

Yes. Best Zelda girl.

[@Anths_art]

it’s funny bc she doesn’t actually exist

[@UnlikelyCreators]

Having played the game the first time as the remake, I really enjoyed it. It was very interesting what you thought about the remake as someone who played the original.

[@blitzgaming9561]

Hi someone from the future here. Link's awakening dx is now available on the switch.

[@kylecampbell565]

Not sure if I can say i agree with your conclusion of how this game took away resources from a potentially new project since that line of thinking isn't limited to remakes or even video games. Let's pretend for a second I didn't find Breath of the Wild a good game (haven't gotten a chance to play it yet) and Im not the biggest Zelda fan in general. So when the sequel to BOTW was announced this year would it be fair for me to hate it because theoretically Nintendo EAD could've instead made Super Mario Oddessy 2, Pikmin 4, Splatoon 3, or a new IP?

[@chillchinna4164]

If the sequel ends up being a shot for shot remake with a change of paint, with the collectables just copy and pasted to pad things out, sure. That would be a fair argument.

[@JoshLeitzel]

I guess he’d just rather they have used the time and assets to make an original 2D zelda?

[@blues4509]

@@JoshLeitzel bingo. Especially with how starved fans of the traditional zelda are for an actual zelda game. If you don't like botw's direction the 2d games could be what classic fans have but all we get are remakes and reimaginings (A link between worlds). Practically the same experiences but prettier each time.

[@bgc1081]

​@@chillchinna4164damn you were right...

[@PatManDX]

KingK seems fairly skeptical towards remakes; I dont disagree with him, but I'm honestly just grateful for this remake simply because people sleep way too much on these 2D Zeldas (A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds are exceptions). I think This HD touch up is just what was needed to draw people towards this special part of the Zelda games that a lot of people tend to overlook, even though they've generally been the more interesting and challenging ones. (That said, I actually hope aLttP and Minish Cap don't get remakes, because the former would only upset the oldschool fans, and the latter's artstyle is pretty much perfect in my eyes.) That said, I've not finished this remake yet, but your arguments do ring true (although the part about the Rapids minigame seems to be hyperbolic) and it's been very interesting to see the widely varying responses to this game. The seashells definitely seem like padding that they added to justify the price hike, and the dungeon maker is definitely the worst part of the remake and it absolutely sucks that some parts of the game are locked behind this awkward addition... We get these types of arguments every time a Zelda game is remade, and seeing these kinds arguments for different versions is always fascinating. There is definitely a point to be made about how there's always going to be a shitty decision to be made for which version you're going to play cause it's hard to describe either the original or the remake as "definitive". I still don't know which version of Majora's Mask I want to try first, and it's been years... I never finished the Original (was borrowing a friend's GBA and never got to finish, didn't actually get too far tbh), but I think after I beat this remake I might check out the 3DS Virtual Console version and compare notes. I actually wouldn't mind playing both at this point, even if the original and DX versions are bogged down by their age.

[@yojoehojo4291]

On your note of Majora's Mask: I personally suggest the N64/Gamecube Collectors Edition/VC version over the 3DS Remake. While the 3DS version does make bosses easier (which is warranted for only one in particular quite frankly, that being Gyorg), it implements a lot of questionable things such as the fact that swimming fast as Zora link will ALWAYS drain magic meter rather than having the shield and fast swimming be separate like it used to be. That and the atmosphere is just on point in the N64/GCCE/VC version. With that being said: The remake is still fun and even though I personally have my biased related gripes with it I won't say "You shouldn't ever play this.". I will say though that I do not think of it as the definitive version because of how much better the original pulled it off, even with the limited timeframe they had to work on the original. If you have a Wii U/Wii (Granted the Wii Eshop is closed, but there are other ways to get it on there. Do what you want with that info though. I am not an advocate of using .wads, but I cannot control you) I'd suggest picking up the VC port because it'll be extremely cheap, but if you don't then go for the 3DS. Paying roughly 50 dollars for the original cart is rough, and paying roughly 130.00+ USD for the Gamecube Collectors edition disc is crazy.

[@kylecampbell565]

@@yojoehojo4291 I believ king k once said on twitter he regrets praising majora's mask 3d as . much as he did

[@yojoehojo4291]

@@kylecampbell565 He has a tendency of playing the revision before the original, so I don't necessarily fault him. I just wish he had enough understanding to know that he should play both before making a biased video.

[@kylecampbell565]

YOJOEHOJO I’m pretty sure he played both

[@arthursimsa9005]

@@yojoehojo4291 well if only these people bothered to download a rom and an emulator, non remake would have to be made

[@chrisbynum4438]

Played links awakening for the first time recently on switch. It was the first time I’d been truly lost in a dungeon in a long time. I loved every second of it.

[@challengerjakku1943]

My biggest issue with this remake is the blur, im visually impaired so why they thought to blur the top and bottom of the screen baffles me. There's no option to turn that shit off either, outside of modding the game.

[@larhyperhair]

I honestly agree, but I feel like you're nitpicking a little much on the music imo. It's very possible im just salty cause I'm nostalgic for the game.

[@esquiredan2702]

Link's Awakening was my first Zelda game. Thus I was happy to see it get the remake treatment. However, I was never happy with the direction they took with the art style. The original world felt like a "real" world with some fantasy elements thrown in, while in the remake the whole thing looks like a children's cartoon. You can argue that it helps the visuals "age better" and that's probably true, but it still undeniably shifts the tone away from the original; what was to a young 90's child a story of a swashbuckling hero trapped in dangerous foreign land now seems far too whimsical and light-hearted.

[@quisslequassle404]

For the hookshot minigame I was actually really glad they changed it. Having to brute force something for a secret is honestly just bad game design. I understand why people might like it, but that doesn't change the fact that it is simply unfair. It makes 100% speedruns impossible and it is also frustrating to people who have long shifts or have to take care of kids or something, in which case it is simply wasting their time. I also disagree that secrets shouldn't be obvious for the same reason. They aren't dumb eastereggs like the room tiles, they are things that make the game genuinly easier if you are struggling and having to guess makes it feel unfair. The game is also far more beginner friendly in my opinion. Those ports usually cater to returning fans, while re-makes like this exist to suck in new ones. That's why there is so much padding, because in a game of the same price there is usually far more content and that is why so many things have been changed. It's a modern take on Link's Awakening and not a one-to-one nastolgia-fest for returning fans. That's why an oracle re-make in the style of this game would be great, because the few flaws present weren't obvious to people who have never played it, which in this case, is a ton of people. It would drag oracle out of the cult classic niche it got stuck in and finally let it get the attention it deserves

[@Nyzer_]

The point is, out of the possible ways to fix such an issue, secretly changing it so you have to Hookshot to victory is the most ass-backwards. Either make it way more obvious that this change exists, or just fix the core design of the minigame.

[@Paul-to1nb]

I know this is a year old, but I totally agree that secrets should be more obvious. I just beat Links Awakening for the first time (DX) and felt like a lot of the "secrets" were just time-wasters, especially considering some of the backtracking you have to do in later dungeons. I have no idea how you're supposed to figure out so many of the contrived puzzles. I have to imagine it was like that in the past so people would talk to each other on the playground to figure things out together. Oracle of Seasons was much more intuitive and enjoyable to me. I'd love to see more people get their hands on Seasons/Ages, but at the same time, I think I'd rather see 2D Zelda team do something brand new with learnings from BotW.

[@TheGTX1650]

"I like when there's less secrets to find because it makes them more memorable" Bro would HATE Mario odyssey 💀💀

[@ecanoya]

Link's Awakening is my favorite Zelda game and the soundtrack is a huge part of that. When this remake was announced I was beyond ecstatic. I couldn't wait to hear these compositions redone. It's crushing to find out the music is such a mixed bag.

[@speggi1124]

For a $60 game, I wish they made more significant changes. Especially because I could buy the original for 3 bucks. And even though they did change the art style, it felt worse to look at because the gameplay is 1993 quality.

[@TheInMine]

Ummmm, it's a remake chief. Its whole goal is to give the gameplay a new light

[@rarm5899]

Feel like the seashell tuning fork complaints are kinda null since you can just..turn it off lol

[@TheGunFreak94]

except that they necessitate being on because they changed how the secret shells were hidden which is what he went through the video. so that I know you can't really turn it off because now there's a bunch of poorly hidden shells compared to the original

[@kylehart8829]

@@TheGunFreak94 It's literally impossible to find every seashell in the original without a guide. Some of them are so cryptic it's ridiculous. This change was objectively an improvement. I agree that there are too many shells, but giving us the tuner is a good thing.

[@stovespiegel]

these arguments are always so unbelievably misguided

[@karlmarcs31]

@@kylehart8829 I did it when I was 12 without a guide. What are you talking about.

[@Paradox-xm9zq]

@@kylehart8829 But in the original you didn't need to find all the shells. You only needed 20 out 26

[@mikek3927]

I feel like I'm the only one who likes the look and feel of the eight direction control. I have no issues with combat and bow shooting. I think the immediate turning fits the art style and adds to the game. Idk that's just me

[@chstar]

great critique as always KingK. As someone who grew up with the original BW links awakening on the original gameboy I can tell you that I feel what the remake most misses...is imagination. When you play the original, you never felt like like what you saw was supposed to actually represent the actual word, but were rather...interpretations of the adventure you were having. I mean how could it? Surely moblins didn't really look like that, what we saw were just avatars for the real creatures that were out there. In the same way RPG battles aren't meant to show a battle where warriors are actually taking turns, but a representation of the real fight. And so, in the same vain, the original Links awakening, without you realizing it or not, forced you to use your imagination as you played to see the adventure Link was on. It's why so many of us connected with that world so strongly. This remake says otherwise...no the world is exactly as you see it. And that really takes something away from a game that's supposed to be a dream.

[@chadhalverson-noaafederal8079]

I was struggling to find the words to describe my problem with the visuals and the remake in general. The lack of imagination required of you in the remake I think nails the overarching problems of the remake. Well said.

[@PleasantLeech]

I do agree with mostly everything you say but personally I think it was worth it just for that siren song by the voice actor for Marin. Wow it gives me such chills everytime I heard it, it makes me think if I was a sailor at sea and heard something like that I would gladly steer into a cliff.

[@dandelionbritt]

I find myself in agreement with you on pretty much every point you mentioned. There were some things that particularly disappointed me, like Peach's photo being a stock image on a black screen instead of how it was in GB & GBA games. Even more tragically, my favorite part in the original was Manbo's Mambo! I thought it was hilarious, and then in this game it was depressing. They made the song more "kiddy" and just completely ruined it for me. I guess ultimately, the only reason to buy this game is if you don't have a 3DS because this remake didn't offer me anything that the original didn't provide. The inventory improvements are definitely appreciated, but not for $60.

[@Ray_2112]

Interesting, "finally" someone who has some problems with the remake, too.^^ For me there are even a few more, though those are probably all based on nostalgia. I knew the DX version for about 15+ years by now and really like that version. When I bought the remake, I stopped after one hour...as much as I was looking forward it, the changes just took some of the original charme for me. First thing was the soundtrack which I just mostly still like more with the original 8bit, I especially missed the Mysterious Woods theme which was quite different in the remake now. It was all well done, but it wasn't the same anymore. Furthermore the missing screen transitions...I wanted them to disappear since I first played the game back then...now I suddenly missed them and the labytinth-like feeling they give you. I went to the beach in the remake and the area suddenly felt way smaller than usual, it was just weird to have this changed after so many years. I also missed the photo sidequest which I really like in the DX version...yes, it's nothing big, but it added some additional charm and was a part of the game I didn't want to completely miss in the future. Also the graphics were something I still didn't like too much...I got used to the artstyle with the trailers, but I don't like it for a Zelda game. It looks just too artificial to me and dream thing doesn't change that for me. I ended up abandoning the game after the second dungeon and starting the DX version on my 3DS once more and I was so happy "being back" to the version I already loved for many years. I know it sounds stupid, but I couldn't help it - I needed to play the remake to realise I didn't want the original being changed at all. For sure many reasons are nostalgia and especially for new players the remake is for sure fantastic, but I will stick with the DX version.^^ And it also makes me wish rather for brandnew 2D Zeldas more than remaking this or that old game. Aside from Zelda II maybe they all play still great.

[@kylecampbell565]

Ray I’m personally glad the photo sidesquest is gone each season now I don’t have to be renamed THEIF to 100% the game

[@Ray_2112]

@@kylecampbell565 If you get that one near the end, you barely get called "thief". Most other photos are either funny or charming, I like that sidequest

[@kylecampbell565]

@@Ray_2112 maybe they couldve kept it but gotten rid of the theif photo

[@tsian7328]

I agree with pretty much every point you've made, I'm definitely glad they remade it in the sense that it's given many people a chance to play this game when they may not have otherwise, but for me, personally, DX is the definitive version. Likewise that's probably mostly nostalgia on my part too, but I don't have a problem with people enjoying the remake either, even if I don't necessarily like it as much. I also agree with KingK's point about they should have added an option to have the original soundtrack in the remake, it wouldn't have taken anything at all away from the remake, only added more to it.

[@Ray-Danger]

My only complaints about the game are the frame rate (which doesn't dip as often as people lead on, just for a second when you enter a named area), and price is too high. 40$ would be fine.

[@Optidorf]

It just shows how personal each experience is. My criticism for this game would mainly be the inaccurate controls (sometimes I fall in pits when I'm just near the edge) and sticking to the original design of the dungeons. A reimagining such as A Link between Worlds would be a better fit given the limited design possibilities of the original Game Boy game. One screen bosses with one pattern just doesn't work in modern games. Besides that I think they did a really good job of translating a very limitative game on a monochrome screen to a compact, immersive world. Personally I don't care much for the dungeon editor, new colour dungeons and the seashells, but it's nice that it's in the game, although not perfect. Biggest dick move is of course the full retail price which is just bonkers.

[@BMW-sd6nn]

I cried from joy when the trailer dropped, one of my favorite games of all time and this remake is perfect to me.

[@urbiznesnunuv6938]

Rozen’s rendition of ballad of the wind fish was better than the official version. Let’s let that sink in.

[@kitcat3579]

The real question is why couldn't the whole game have the art style of the opening and ending cutscenes ... Cuz like. .. fuck that would have been cool ... Not sure how that would work. But it would have been cool

[@tobimisa]

the opening and endings were 2d animation, the only way to get that to work would be making it a 2d game in the vein of zelda 2

[@UnityBringer]

Because 2D animation takes so much time and you can't just have that work. It's not feasible in the least to have it in a style like that lol But yeah it would be cool, if impossible.

[@kitcat3579]

I mean I feel like hypothetically you could make this work , if time and money was no object , like it's more than possible to draw a top down Zelda , 8bit Sprite work is basically that already so it's not that much of stretch to imagine the same thing being done with a more traditional art style but yeah I understand why they couldn't actually I was more or less thinking out loud with this , thanks for responding tho

[@UnityBringer]

@@kitcat3579 Time and money is a problem though: have you seen how much animated films cost, and they're only for a limited amount of time. And the way the game is structured wouldn't work with the animation. It would have to be a totally different play style. Top down wouldn't even work with the style. You'd have to get smooth frame by frame for every attack every hit. It is a whole other ballpark really. The Persona series actually tackles animation in a way that makes the 3D feel fitting around animation, especially Persona 5. It is a matter of practically really. A game like that would need a whole different style really.

[@kitcat3579]

@@UnityBringer I'm not sure what you want me to say to that , my hypothetical dream scenario that I can't properly describe is possible if you had infinite resources , this has been a weird conversation for me have a good night

[@Dr.Turkey]

Way I see it, as somebody who *does* want the remakes of the Oracle games, critical videos like this are important in *hopefully* making sure Nintendo doesn't make the same mistakes on the next go.

[@maxmaximum2316]

Link Awakening remake is a beauty game it is so well made. The music was a huge throwback!

[@wolfnation100]

Seeing Link's Awakening getting remade just made me want the Oracle games to be remade. Link's Awakening was certainly a great game, but I always feel like the Oracles really pushed what a handheld Zelda could be in a different and fun way. It's just so up in the air right now whether or not we'd ever get them, but this game getting an HD overhaul gives me some hope.

[@Lonewulf321]

I respect your opinion but I've gotta say I don't really agree with most of it. I don't think you are wrong about anything, but I don't think the "issues" are as bad as they seemed to be expressed. Still, great video as always.

[@MasterE1]

So that's what its like to see your name rolling in the credits for a video. feels good. keep up the amazing work

[@chris7921]

I was hoping I would love this even more than A Link Between Worlds, as I never played Links Awakening original. Unfortunately it was underwhelming for me, a lovely looking game but it just didn’t do it for me.

[@turtleanton6539]

I think this is way better

[@theevilgood]

I know I'm... like two years late but I am relatively certain that what's being played in that bit where Marin is following you is, in fact, an Ocarina.

[@lex_rodriguez]

19:36 My drink shot out of my nose because I laughed too hard.

[@HamstarTG]

Hahahaha

[@FlackNCoke]

I absolutely agree about the movement. They did a weird half-way between modernizing the controls and sticking to the way the original controls felt, and as a result jumping and using the pegasus boots - which could already take a little patience and practice to get right on the gameboy - is somehow even more frustrating. It's like there's this disconnect where you're looking at a modern game and you expect it to control as such... but then they threw in the delay and slight jank that you expect in an older game, and the result is this weird whiplash where you're like "This should control smoother than it does..." and then remind yourself "Oh, I guess that's how it was on the gameboy, I just never noticed before because it was on a tiny screen and in eight bits and a goddamn miracle it worked at all." Like, either modernize the experience - full analogue movement, smooth fluid controls for both running and jumping - or keep it exactly like it was. This halfway thing is just... weird.

[@hy9er213]

I enjoyed this version more than the original. Favorite 2d Zelda by far now.

[@Arcessitor]

More than Link between Worlds? How so? (Genuinely curious, have not played this remake.)

[@PurpleColonel]

@@Arcessitor Link Between Worlds feels like a bit of a watered down version of link to the past to me tbh.

[@NotThatObvious]

I’m currently enjoying my time with this remake, and yet I totally get where you’re coming from with your critiques. I will say I still like the Angler’s Tunnel theme, though it was a very surprising and unexpected change in tone. I had to ponder over it for a bit

[@hypnovike]

This video and your criticisms of the game are exactly the reasons why I still haven't gotten the game yet despite owning every other main series Zelda game up to this point. I just don't see enough reasons to drop $60 on this game when I already have the original.

[@the_real_Leandrilson]

Fun fact, using the feather you can make Link slightly change the direction Link is facing, and then you can shoot arrows or the hookshot in directions between the regular 8. With this trick you can do things like skip keys in Angler's Tunnel and Catfish's Maw, and get the Mirror Shield early in Eagle's Tower. I don't know if those small sequence breaks are why the game don't have full analog movement, but ther's that. lol

[@drinks_menu]

sounds like you had a completely different experience than me. i never had any framerate issues.

[@AndresLionheart]

Not being able to notice them doesn't mean they weren't there. Some people have trouble telling apart 30fps from 60fps footage, for example. The issues are there, but aren't major.

[@Poefred]

You definitely did, they're practically hard programmed into the game. I was hoping they'd be patched out by now. But yeah personally the only time it gets obnoxious is in that area where you walk through all the water and the fish are jumping out of it and the plants are firing stuff at you, the slowdown combined with the slower water movement speed make that square of water super tedious to get through.

[@SheaN10266]

Same

[@tael4401]

I think something you maybe overlooked was what the art style did for the story. when the world looks like a diorama, filled with a bunch of animated toy chibi people, it really enhances the story and themes of the game. the contrast makes it so much more sinister. especially with the blurred edges of the screen sort of implying its a dream the whole time. i thought the art style alone was enough to elevate it above the original. it really makes you feel like youre standing over a tabletop watching a little toy link run around the map.

[@MariotheAnimator]

Love or hate this remake, it ain't worth 60 bucks when the original is literally 5 Not to mention Crash and Spyro TRILOGIES are 40

[@AMGK]

C'mon this was the first time I had a chance to play this game, and with that art style nowdays, and just lovet the musics and sound effects. For me this was just a perfect time I could finally play this piece of gold. and I loved the way they put you to think and interact with the world to find secrets, I had fun discovering these.

[@blinkingberry9591]

Wait, you can run into trees to get seashells? Wait, you can throw bombs in the holes to get seashells? Wait, you can dig holes to get seashells? No wonder I didn't get the level 2 sword, when I played the game on the 3DS.

[@discountchocolate4577]

If you wander the accessible parts of the overworld with Bow-Wow before returning to Mabe Village, Bow-Wow will sometimes tell you if you're standing on a spot where a seashell is buried.

[@umbaupause]

I think the bomb holes are new, but yeah, the other stuff is all there. I have no idea how we used to find out, but I'm actually very certain there is a hint for both in the game. At least for one of the shells in the ground, an owl statue tells you that there are secrets in the earth nearby or something like that.

[@CZPC]

Wait what? You dont want to spend 60$ on a gameboy game??? HOW DARE YOU THINK OF THE CHILDREN! I fucking hate those people lol. This game has no reason to be full price.

[@kaelmic7476]

I actually fully agree with your entire critique. And judging from other people's comments. It seems that most the disagree with you have an inability to get into the old version. I myself have a lot of love for the original. I absolutely hate the way the jump looks. It seems to me that a lot of people prefer style over function which is to me, what I think this remake is

[@davidlarsen4876]

I think as we get farther away from the release date the general opinion will decrease as well. Media sites are hyping it way too much. Just not a $60 game imo.

[@darkmage07070777]

Your last thoughts here pretty much reflect my view on EVERY remake announcement, and why I cringe in fear every time, much to my friends' confusion.

[@Yin2Falcon]

yes to all your questions at the end - all worth it

[@TheUltraPingu]

I played Link's Awakening for the first time on the switch (I'd never played the GBC version). Initially I love the feel of it, it gave me a cosy feeling that the games of my youth used to give me. For the most part I enjoyed it (at least enough to finish it), but by the end it just felt too much like a chore. The design felt a little dated, there was too much that wasn't obvious and just felt very random. Mechanically it felt very rigid, and just not very polished. A great example is the fact that everytime you get a power acorn the game stops like you've never seen one before. All in all, I agree with the sentiment that it's fun but lacks polish, and it's a little hard to justify the price.

[@terderrer]

I’ve never heard someone complain about a game adding in more secrets. I agree with a lot of your points (especially the dungeon maker one) but I found this point the most baffling.

[@IonSquared]

This is the same guy whose favorite Zelda is Twilight Princess. It's not that surprising.

[@neonmajora8454]

@@IonSquared lol

[@MadOrange644]

This is my first time playing Link’s Awakening and I gotta say the soundtrack is easily in my top 5 (I played all 3D Zelda games)

[@TwilightYonder720]

I thought the remake was fine, would rather have a new 2D Zelda instead it's been a while since we've gotten one

[@antshield]

I want this game. Remakes are cool for people who beat the original, and can see a different interpretation of the same experience. Doesn't necessarily need to replace the original, RE2 remake doesn't replace the one for PS1. That being said, $60 is robbery! I couldn't afford the fucking game if I wanted too. I'm 100% a Nintendo fanboy, but sometimes the company just makes really stupid decisions.

[@hamidmehrdad5805]

I mean it sold great so clearly most people didn't mind.

[@travistaylor2263]

When I first tried playing links awakening on the Gameboy I put it down, this version made me see it through to the end.

[@DrazenX195]

Opposite. I've beat the original several times throughout the years. Framerate issues were bad enough to shelve the game for a hopeful patch that fixes it. Now it can sit in waiting on the shelf with that Bloodstained patch that hasn't came. :(

[@residentevilinsider6580]

DocDrazen The framerate issues pop up during a transition, and they last for, what? Three seconds at most? Probably two? But for that, the game is awful and a waste of sixty dollars. Yeah... totally understandable.

[@SheaN10266]

@@residentevilinsider6580 Well I have never played the original and this game is really fun tbh. This game wasn’t made for nostalgia it was just so kids now can play this masterpiece of a game. But the 60$ is kinda a rip.

[@Link-pr9id]

@@DrazenX195 I know your comment is a year old, but god I hope you sold your Links Awakening Remake to someone grateful, you spent $60 bucks on the game and shelved it because of framedrops during transitions lol. The frames have NEVER been that bad lol, not even on release date.

[@DrazenX195]

@@Link-pr9id gave it to a friend of mine. Replayed my copy of Link's Awakening DX since. It has a better home. did play it with my buddy's overclocked Switch and experienced it with no frame drops. Was pretty nice.

[@ThunderStruck115]

Personally, I think this is a good remake, though it should absolutely not be $60. I'd be fine if it was in the $30 - $40 range

[@TadpoleSuperhero]

Thank you for talking about the movement changes! I haven't heard anyone else talk about that, and it was hugely eye-opening for me. I was pretty sure I didn't want to play this because it seems like I'm the only one who honestly thinks the new art style ruins the nuance of the original, leaning too hard in the "cute, wacky" direction when Link's Awakening had a lot of mystique and somber tones along with that. But the MOVEMENT. I can't believe they did that! The movement feels really good in the original, and is the best compromise, in my opinion, for a top-down Zelda without full analog control. This weird 8-directional locking is a definite no-go for me. I'll always have more fun with the original. Once again just really glad for people like you who don't just skim over elements of a game but really dive deep into everything about them. It makes a huge difference having your videos out there. Thanks for covering the remake!

[@ILoveBees]

You're not the only one with that opinion regarding the visuals. Link's Awakening is probably the only game next to Majora's Mask that SHOULDN'T have gotten a chibi art style. It's not supposed to be cute, it's supposed to be unsettling. The original had the tone shift over the course of the game by pretending to be a normal, serious Zelda game until you encounter the first Fourth Wall Breaks and/or Franchise Cameos which had the player confused in a "Wait, what?" reaction. The game was hinting at something constantly being off by juxtaposing the familiar with the weird until the plot twist comes around. This is completely butchered by the new art style because NOTHING looks normal anymore, so what was supposed to be a red flag to the player no longer sticks out.

[@HylianHero69]

the 60 dollar price is a freaking joke. 40 absolute max. 30 would be ideal.

[@neonmajora8454]

Alex G My thoughts exactly. $30.

[@hamidmehrdad5805]

But wasn't the original 30? Why would the remake when games are more expensive cost the same as the original. You are also under estimating how much work went into this game. Finally, people pay 60 dollars or more for useless items all the time yet people act like video games are so expensive which makes no sense.

[@roweboat]

With it being a near 1-1 remake, I also question "why". I grew up with Links Awakening DX, and that game is still great. I always Invisioned this game being re-made on a grand scale... With a full orchestra booming In the title screen... And All we got were some flutes. Fell a bit flat for me.

[@JRokujuushi]

One thing that you didn't mention was how they removed the trick in the original where you could throw the boomerang, pick up the flying rooster, and fly around the screen with the boomerang following underneath. That would have been *amazing* to pull off with a seamless overworld. But no, now the boomerang just returns to Link while his hands are full of rooster and he catches it somehow.

[@connerrobles-emery3672]

I actually like the musical direction they took. My headcanon is that it's the wind fish instruments scoring the adventure. It's not a perfect 1:1, but it adds to the dreamlike nature of the game.