Previous Next

Here's the latest example of Nintendo's tried and true policy: Making minor changes to established games guarantees a comfortable bottom line. Zelda DX is simply a copy of Zelda: Link's Awakening that has been optimized for the Gameboy Color, with the addition of a small, color based dungeon. So for all of you played this game when it was released the first time, you might as well stop reading now. If you're like me, and never played the original, read on.

Zelda DX follows Link's story during the time after he vanquished Ganon on the NES, don't ask me where the whole thing falls in the Zelda storyline, I'm completely lost when it comes to that. Anyhow, after destroying Ganon, Link decided he needed to take a trip in order to gain wisdom and find himself. While returning from said sabbatical, Link's small sailboat falls prey to a storm. A huge bolt of lightning shatters the craft and leaves Link at the mercy of an angry sea. The next thing he knows he's lying on a beach, a young girl he's never seen before standing over him.

Link soon finds that he's been marooned on Koholint Island, and must awaken the omnipotent Windfish by finding the eight instruments of the Sirens if he hopes to make it back to Hyrule.

The best way to describe the look and play mechanics of Zelda DX would be to call it a scaled down version of the SNES incarnation. The graphical style is exactly the same, and the gameplay is the classic Zelda stuff we're all used to. Navigate your way through multiple dungeons, find items to help you in your quest and grant you new abilities, and defeat the sinister bosses and creatures that stand between you and victory.

One thing that surprises me is how much the latest Zelda title on the N64 shares with Zelda DX. I won't go into too much detail here, but there are very many items and plotlines introduced in Zelda DX that are borrowed in the current N64 hit.

The presentation of Zelda DX is excellent as Gameboy titles go. The game makes good use of the Gameboy Color, even going so far as to include a color based dungeon. There's also a photo shop that can be used in conjunction with the Gameboy Printer. The music definitely fits the game, with a nice mix of classic Zelda tracks and an original score.

Basically it comes down to this. If you already played Link's Awakening, don't bother with Zelda DX. The changes that have been made definitely don't warrant purchase. But if you haven't played this superb game before, go get it. I, for one, am happy Nintendo decided to revamp this one.