The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX is an enhanced port of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening that was released for the Game Boy Color in 1998. It was released on a black cartridge, and is compatible with original Game Boy units. It plays like the original version but has color graphics and additional features. In June 2011, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX was released on the Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console, on the day of the service's launch, making it one of the system's first Virtual Console releases. Some features were included in the Nintendo Switch remake.

The Color Dungeon was introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX. The Color Dungeon is only accessible when the game is played on Game Boy Color mode, because the puzzles and even the dungeon boss are based on the use of color. The reward for completing the Color Dungeon is either Red Clothes or the Blue Clothes, which increase Link's attack or his defense respectively. The game also has an exclusive optional location, the Camera Shop. If Link has met the Camera Shop owner, the photographer, certain events in the game cause the photographer to appear and take a picture. The pictures can be viewed from the The Travels of Link album in the Camera Shop and printed from the Game Boy Printer.

Unlike the original version, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX has a unique border and color palette when played on the Super Game Boy. The original version does not include these features because the Super Game Boy was only released a year after.

Differences

 * On the title screen, there is a cloud circling the Wind Fish's Egg.
 * Pressing brings up a separate menu, the Sub-Screen, while the original version brought up a collapsible menu.
 * The Sub-Screen has a notice at the bottom which says "Push Select". Pressing brings up a menu with Link's obtained tunics.
 * Several bugs were fixed, most notably the screen warp glitch.
 * Some additional dialogue was added, especially for features that were introduced in this version. Locations such as the Seashell Mansion also have more dialogue.
 * The player can no longer press to skip a character's dialogue.
 * In English releases, the Piece of Heart icon, which appears in the dialogue box when Link obtains a Piece of Heart, was moved slightly right so that it would not overlap the exclamation mark.
 * The stone slabs were changed to owl statues, and the stone slab fragments were replaced with stone beaks.
 * Some treasure chests feature different items than the original version.
 * The Instruments of the Sirens are animated to switch between colors.
 * The Genie throws fireballs every 3/4th of a second, whereas in the original, he throws a fireball every half second.
 * On the Sub-Screen, if Link has obtained the Map for Eagle's Tower, the floor numbers are not shown unlike the original, likely because of the "Push Select" notice at the bottom.
 * The perfect ending is different between playing on Game Boy or Game Boy Color. On older hardware, Marin flies across the "The End" screen with a new pair of wings as a seagull sound is heard, which is the original ending. If playing on newer hardware, Marin's picture is faintly shown in the sky which fades into a seagull, further implying that Marin's wish to become a seagull became true, and a small message from the development team thanks the player.

Nintendo eShop description
''A high-seas voyage takes a dangerous turn when Link's™ ship is destroyed by a furious storm, and he washes ashore on the mysterious island of Koholint. Link learns that the only hope he has of returning home depends on awakening the mythical Wind Fish, who slumbers within a giant egg atop the island's highest peak. But who is the Wind Fish? How do you wake it? And what will happen when it awakens?''
 * North American version

''Lead Link on an incredible adventure as you explore uncharted lands, meet amazing new friends and foes, and unravel the mystery of the Wind Fish. The first handheld-system release in this beloved franchise, presented as it appeared in the 1998 Game Boy™ Color rerelease, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX is a must play for fans of this beloved series.''

'' In the Legend of Zelda series’ first Game Boy adventure, Link is shipwrecked on the mysterious Koholint Island. To return home, he must face a nightmarish new enemy and solve the riddle of the Wind Fish.''
 * European version

''This definitive Game Boy Color version improves on the original Game Boy release with an exclusive new dungeon and colour graphics. Help Link search for the eight Instruments of the Sirens, collecting items like the Pegasus Boots and Hook Shot, traversing challenging dungeons, and battling deadly bosses.''

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX is as rich and engrossing an adventure as any you will find on the big screen.

References in later games

 * The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages: Several of the graphics were specifically reused from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (due to the Oracle games being in color), but with a slightly different palette. The Oracle games also have a similar Sub-Screen.