1. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Switch)(Adventure)First game of the year, and I figured I'd start it off right. Link's Awakening on the Nintendo Switch is a total remake, done in a visual style that reminds me a little of claymation and dropping many of the limitations imposed by the Game Boy's hardware and design. While this has a definite impact, the experience from someone returning many years later to a game I beat back on my Super Game Boy back in 1996...well, it was a sweet, nostalgic journey.
If you're new to Link's Awakening, the general plot is that Link is in a shipwreck, wakes on an island, and learns he must find eight instruments and wake the Windfish to be able to leave. As you go on your journey, a more melancholic undertone is revealed, but I don't want to ruin anything for you, because the game earns the whimsy and the emotional repercussions of what you are doing. As an adult, it wasn't as potent, but I also knew it was coming.
The controls have been upgraded, so Link is now always equipped with his sword and shield, instead of having to swap out between two slots with other gear. Instead, two items can be equipped at any time, and let me tell you, being able to attack, block, jump, and throw a boomeranged is a dynamite combo. Between that and the world no longer relying on set screens the way the dungeons do, the Switch remake feels a lot easier than the Game Boy original, which was not particularly challenging to begin with. I feel like I breezed through this one.
In addition to these changes, content from the Link's Awakening DX port was kept in, particularly the special secret Color Dungeon. On top of that is a figurine quest, compatibility with amiibos, and even a new quest line in which you build your own dungeons based on the rooms you encounter in others, including said Color Dungeon. Yeah, you can make your own, and while there are perks to finishing construction-related challenges, you can also make yourself a proper challenge. Want to build a dungeon composed entirely of a boss rush? Here's your chance.
In general, Link's Awakening is an easy time that continues on at a fair pace, and there are telephone booths throughout the island which provide tips on next steps...sometimes. Every now and then, I did get a little stuck while trying to track down some item or something that I really needed, but that was a pretty rare occurrence. I did take notes once, for the final dungeon path, and the final boss spikes in difficulty in a way that feels out of sync. He has something like six or seven different forms, a couple of which are much trickier than others. It felt odd, even if it did at least offer up more challenge than just about any other boss.
Bottom line, I had a wonderful time. I want to spend more time with my Switch in 2020, and this was a wonderful way to begin. After you beat the game, you can also go back to track down any remaining items or the like you miss too, and the ending sequence appears to be beautiful hand drawn animation. Appears being the operative word, as in truth I have no idea, but it reminds me of when I took notice of Japanese animation, around the time I first played Link's Awakening on Game Boy almost...30 years ago.
Man, time flies. I'm glad I had some time to spend with this.