The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

game

2019, Adventure

WISE
89%

WISE Score

A gorgeous toy-box remake of a classic Zelda adventure—charming, puzzle-packed, and delightfully wholesome.

Where to Play

Nintendo
Nintendo
Screenwise Verdict

This is Zelda at its most approachable and adorable. The 2019 remake transforms the 1993 Game Boy classic into a tactile, toy-like world that's a joy to explore. It's shorter and gentler than Breath of the Wild, making it perfect for younger kids or Zelda newcomers.

The puzzles are real—not hand-holdy, not trivial. Your kid will get stuck. They'll wander around wondering what to do next. And that's actually great, because figuring it out builds genuine problem-solving muscles. Parent reviews confirm: kids who can handle frustration and think through challenges will love it. Kids who melt down when stuck should wait until they're a bit older.

Zero safety concerns. No microtransactions, no online toxicity, no content worries. Just a complete, beautifully-crafted adventure that respects your time and wallet. If you want a game that's actually enriching without being preachy about it, this is the sweet spot.

Part of The Legend of Zelda — our full guide to the series.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-13, though older teens and adults who love Zelda will enjoy it too. Kids need to read well and handle puzzle-induced frustration. A 7-year-old who loves problem-solving will thrive; a 7-year-old who rage-quits easily should wait a year or two.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92

A charming, light-hearted adventure with a gentle tone and whimsical characters. Models perseverance and helping others throughout. The toy-like art style creates an emotionally safe, playful atmosphere. No cynicism, toxicity, or mean-spiritedness—just pure Nintendo charm with characters from other franchises appearing as delightful Easter eggs.

Imaginative
88

The game invites exploration of Koholint Island with creative puzzle-solving in eight dungeons. The toy-diorama aesthetic is visually distinctive and sparks wonder. Puzzles require lateral thinking and experimentation. The dungeon maker mode (Chamber Dungeon) adds a creative building element, though it's not the main attraction. The dreamlike setting and quirky NPCs encourage curiosity.

Safe
95

Extremely safe. No in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no online chat. Users can interact only in the local Chamber Dungeon sharing feature. Combat is cartoonish and bloodless—enemies poof into smoke. The fantasy violence is minimal and stylized. No mature themes, scary content, or manipulation tactics. This is a premium, complete game with zero predatory mechanics.

Enriching
82

Builds spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and pattern recognition through dungeon puzzles. Requires reading comprehension for NPC dialogue and clues. Teaches persistence when stuck on puzzles—parent reviews note kids need patience and ability to work through frustration. The story has surprising emotional depth for a Zelda game. Highly entertaining but not deeply educational beyond cognitive skill-building.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • The most accessible entry point to the Zelda series—smaller scale, gentler difficulty curve than Breath of the Wild
  • Stunning toy-diorama art style that feels like playing inside a miniature world; visually captivating for all ages
  • Pure premium game with zero monetization nonsense—buy it once, own it completely
  • Builds genuine problem-solving skills through dungeon puzzles that require thinking, not just button-mashing
  • Light-hearted story with surprising emotional depth and quirky Nintendo cameos (Chain Chomp, Yoshi dolls, Kirby enemies)
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What to Watch For

  • Puzzles can genuinely stump kids (and adults)—expect some frustration or requests for help, especially in later dungeons
  • Requires solid reading skills; dialogue and clues are text-based and essential for progression
  • Some kids may find the pacing slow compared to modern action games—this is old-school exploration, not constant dopamine hits
  • The game can feel directionless at times; younger kids may need parent guidance to figure out where to go next

Conversation Starters

  • "What was the trickiest puzzle you solved today? How did you figure it out?"
  • "The island is all a dream—what do you think that means for Link and the people he met?"
  • "Which item is your favorite to use? (Roc's Feather for jumping, the hookshot, the boomerang?)"
  • "If you could design your own dungeon in Chamber Dungeon mode, what would it look like?"

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