The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

From Zelda Wiki.org

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Developer(s)	Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Designer(s)	Shigeru Miyamoto
Release date(s)	Japan: June 6, 1993 North America: August, 1993
Rating(s)	ESRB: E (Everyone)
Platform(s)	Game Boy,Game Boy Color (remake)
Predecessor	The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Successor	The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Guide/Walkthrough at StrategyWiki

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.

1 The Story
2 Timeline Placement
3 The Legend of the Wind Fish
4 Mario References
5 Listings
6 Ports and Remakes
7 Links and Reviews

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

The chronological placement of LA in respect to the rest of the series has always been something of a hot issue, although the game was originally created as a sequel to A Link to the Past, still clearly references AlttP's story in booklet, and is a necessary story element in Kodai No Sekiban. Still, every new game featuring a boat incites a new debate over the possible 'ret-conning' of LA to a new place in the timeline.

Legend of the Wind Fish

Link washed up on the shores of Koholint Island

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. It is also believed that the Wind Fish can grant wishes when awoken. 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.

The game's official art

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 raccoon after eating a Mushroom might be a reference to Super Mario Bros.3
The yoshi-like egg on top of the mountain
Mr. Write shows you the picture of Peach sent to him by the goat in Animal Village. (Because of the picture, her name is implied to be Christine.) (This scene is poking fun at long distance relationships involving mail, e-mail, etc. since the goat is lying about who she really is and Mr. Write thinks he is writing to a beautiful woman)
Various enemies:
Bow-Wow
Anti-Kirby (Not a Mario reference as such, but a Nintendo cameo nevertheless)

Ports and Remakes

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX

Developer(s)	Nintendo (EAD)
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Designer(s)	Shigeru Miyamoto
Release date(s)	December 1, 1998
Platform(s)	Game Boy Color
Guide/Walkthrough at StrategyWiki

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX for Game Boy Color is a re-release of Link's Awakening with more monsters, a secret photo album, and the Color Dungeon, which offers either the Blue Tunic, which increases defense, or the Red Tunic, which increases attack. However, once you choose a tunic, you could switch between the two, but never back to the original Green Tunic.