Talk:The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening/Archive 1

Archive 1

DX section

The DX section is terribly written - every sentence is an NPOV violation. No actualy information was cut, just opinionated praise. Khanartist 00:59, 2005 Jun 17 (UTC)

• if that's what you believe, then lets rewrite it so it is no longer a NPOV violation. --ZeWrestler 02:42, 17 Jun 2005 (UTC)

DX Split

Should the DX section be split into its own article for the game? I mean, I'd say it's different enough to warrant separation. -- A Link to the Past 23:03, July 10, 2005 (UTC)

Um, er, um... I'd say not. They only added color, the Camera Shop (and its GB Printer functionality), the Color Dungeon, and, um, changed some sprites slightly (most notable with the Genie in Bottle Grotto). That's about it, right? Garrett^Talk 23:27, 10 July 2005 (UTC)

Yeah, but look at the 2-in-1 Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt - that survived a VfD, and that was just a combo cartridge. Can we at least say that if the DX section gets big enough, that it could and should be moved? -- A Link to the Past 23:48, July 10, 2005 (UTC)

Oh! I thought you were talking about doing a split right now! Well yes, if it grows it could certainly be divided. Garrett^Talk 23:53, 10 July 2005 (UTC)

-No there's definitely no need for a second article for DX. The vast majority of the information would need to be repeated, as it is the same information. DX is not a game in it's own right, merely an enhanced version of the original; The best, or "collector's" edition. It's better just to talk about the two games as if they are one, only referencing them separately when needing to be deliberate; -and the context will make it clear of which version is referred to in those instances.Zixor 12:41, 28 June 2007 (UTC) Speaking further on the matter of context: It's probably best that we only bother to mention that something is from the DX version when it can't be easily deduced that this is the case. For example, a color screen shot is obviously from the DX version, so saying so is probably redundant. Zixor 23:21, 6 July 2007 (UTC)

Screen Jump Glitch

Should we include the screen jump glitch as part of this article? It's one of the most well-known aspects of the game. The Pokemon games have their own articles regarding Glitch City and Missingno., so Screen Jump should at least be mentioned here.

Sure, but I can't say I could help - I was never able to pull the glitch off. >.> -- A Link to the Past 08:59, July 19, 2005 (UTC)

I've added the information under the DX section, as it was a significant fix for the release. Honestly, why can't programmers leave such bugs in? Makes it more fun :P Grayda 04:01, 16 May 2007 (UTC)

I removed this sentence:

It has also been reported that if this glitch is used too much, the game will become permanently corrupted, causing the game to show only sprites and nothing else.

This is very dubious; the game uses read-only memory! Equalpants 18:03, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

I don't know that "overuse" of the glitch can cause permanant corruption. However, I do know that using that glitch for certain things CAN randomly result in a totally corrupted game.

Here's what happened to my first Link's Awakening game:

I played the game as normal, gaining all the hearts and heart pieces up till Eagle's Tower. I then used the jump glitch to fight the Eagle's Tower boss *without* lowering the Tower, and grabbed the heart. I saved and quit, then played the tower as normal. Lo and behold, I was able to fight the boss like normal that time, and grabbed an *additional* heart, one I was not supposed to have. I played the game as normal until I beat Turtle Rock, after which... I grabbed the heart, which pushed my heart total over the limit. The game began to suddenly beep like crazy, so I saved and quit. From that point onward, the game was totally corrupted, literally only showing Link on a blank screen. (unsigned comment by User:Doom127 (Talk)

"game" meaning that save file? Or the game program? I think thats what we're having trouble with. You couldn't start a new file and have it be OK? -- WikidSmaht (talk) 00:39, 11 January 2006 (UTC)

I haven't attempted to actually "corrupt" a game in a long time, but with my original Zelda LA game, here's what happened.

I gained too many hearts, saved and quit. Turned the game off, removed the cartridge. Turned the game back on again. Opening screen (the scene with the ship) was ok, but when I pushed Start to enter the game select screen... nothing. Everything was totally blank, except for Link himself. No matter what file was entered, it didn't alleviate the problem. A person could try erasing every file on their cartridge, but that would be insanely frustrating, losing all that work, would it not? So we should still have some message of warning in there. Daniel Davis 08:40, 13 January 2006 (UTC) (Doom127)

Well, since the file select screen displays hearts next to the filename, I'm not surprised that that screen has the same problem. I do think that it's important to determine whether or not deleting the glitched file fixes the problem, as I suspect it would. I don't see why you talk about deleting all the files, only one file would be causing the problem. -- 24.218.198.104 20:31, 13 January 2006 (UTC)

Because the problem doesn't *stay* on the File Select Screen; even if you choose a different save and try to play it, the screen stays blank. Daniel Davis 23:54, 13 January 2006 (UTC) (Doom127)

Hmm... probably because once it glitched, the program couldn't recover until the system was rebooted. Or the save file really did mess with things... But I still have a hard time believing the game was corrupted so that it wouldn't recover if the file was deleted. Maybe I'll pick up a used copy for $5 and try it. Oy... so much work. DAMN I forgot, a used copy might be from a newer batch that can't screen warp. Any ideas? -- WikidSmaht (talk) 23:04, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

You could try testing the game in the store before you buy it. If you find one where the glitch works, you can try a "no sword" game. :) Daniel Davis 00:54, 21 January 2006 (UTC) (Doom127)

Hmmm... In my experience, gamestop keeps the NES games in a bin, but the GB ones beind glass( probably so they can't be slipped into your pocket). -- WikidSmaht (talk) 12:47, 21 January 2006 (UTC)

Which is why you have to ask the clerk something along the lines of "Good sir (or madame), I would like to test this used gameboy game out in order to make sure it is the version I have been seeking." The vast majority of game store owners will happily oblige, so long as you have your system with you. Don't be shy about it. Boldness rewards. Daniel Davis 17:01, 21 January 2006 (UTC) (Doom127)

Sales figures

Can anyone get the sales figures for this game? I find it hard to believe that Link's Awakening outsold Pokémon. -- A Link to the Past 08:59, July 19, 2005 (UTC)

• It's such an excellent game, and so are the Pokémon RPGs. I cannot, however, tell you the sale figures. Would the sales figures include both the original and DX?--realwingus 05:17, 27 August 2005 (UTC)

Perhaps, but then we'd have to include Pokemon Yellow. - A Link to the Past (talk) 07:23, August 27, 2005 (UTC)

I think that this link would be sufficient evidence to refute that, yes? The Missing Link 02:00, 28 August 2005 (UTC)

Chibi

Just wondering where you got the basis for that from. It seems like the intro is standard Zelda artwork/animation style. The ingame animation style of Link's Awakening seems to be imitative of LTTPs, only with a much smaller color pallette; I don't see a foundation for describing it as Chibi. Think you could clarify your research a bit for us all? Daniel Davis 08:31, 19 December 2005 (UTC) (Doom127)

Chain Chomps

Answering the question of another editor, Chain Chomps were indeed present in A Link To The Past. They were an enemy in Turtle Rock, guarding several treasure chest areas. They were bloody annoying too; one bite would remove a good portion of Link's health. Daniel Davis 12:19, 23 December 2005 (UTC) (Doom127)

Unnecessary information

I believe the trade sequence and the Easter egg procedure are not necessary. Wikipedia is not an instruction manual. Please remove it. -- ReyBrujo 01:46, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

The trading sequence is a very important part of the story, and also established trading as an important mechanic in Zelda games. The Easter eggs( though I’d prefer a better term) are also relevant, in establishing the tone and how it differs from previous games in the series. This info should not be removed. -- WikidSmaht (talk) 03:06, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

That information is already found in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening wikibook, and it fits better a Wikibook; see Trading Sidequest and Five-Finger Discount. I agree in a small trivia entry about both informations, but they can't be in Wikipedia as it contradicts the Wikipedia official policy. -- ReyBrujo 04:00, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

Even the Glitches section can be shortened, as the Wikibook already has an entry for them all, see Glitches. -- ReyBrujo 04:02, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

There is a need for that section though- misuse of the glitch will result in a complete ruination of all save data, if not the entire game itself. It is in the best interests that readers be aware of it. Daniel Davis 05:03, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

Hmmm... well, seeing as other articles like Xbox 360 has a section about glitches, I guess I was wrong. However, the main point (Wikipedia is not an instruction manual) stands. -- ReyBrujo 11:17, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

If you feel it can be pared down, please do. The glitch exists because it can damage the game if used, and thus needs to be at least mentioned. But otherwise I agree with you in that it doesn't neccesarily NEED to be in there. Daniel Davis 17:23, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

Oh, you have already convinced me to I should not remove the glitch. I am not checking how people is feeling about removing the trade sequence and the Easter egg, as the same information can be found in the old Wikibook. -- ReyBrujo 17:35, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

So? Wikibooks are allowed to have some information that overlaps with Wikipedia. The story is a notable characteristic of a game, and the trading is an important part of the story plus, as I mentioned before, it established trading as an important mechanic in Zelda games. The Easter Eggs section should receive a better name, and not be a “how-to”, but the inclusion of these scenes, possibilities, vignettes, etc. is an important part of the game’s unique character. -- WikidSmaht (talk) 09:46, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

I agree that detailing the entire sequence is unnecessary. This isn't a strategy guide. -- Steel359 20:29, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

Please, WikidSmaht, read Wikipedia is not an instruction manual. Also, see that it is an official policy, not something optional. Things like combos in fighting games, walkthroughs in adventure games and things like that are not suitable for Wikipedia. -- ReyBrujo 21:22, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

While the ENTIRE trading sequence step by step isn't needed here, we can still include a mention of the sequence itself. I've pared the paragraph down to its essentials (what the trading sequence is and what it accomplishes) and placed it in the Easter Egg section where it goes. If anyone can find a better spot for it, go right ahead. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Doom127 (talk • contribs) .

Step to step instructions are not right, but a general description is fine enough. Note that I own this game (not the DX but the normal Game Boy version) and really love it, but I try to be neutral and do what I do with other articles (in example, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mortal Kombat, etc). -- ReyBrujo 02:20, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

Chickens Easter Egg

I've added an easter egg for the "attacking chickens" joke. The one where, if you attack a chicken constantly, a flock of chickens will attack you. 67.188.172.165 22:22, 14 July 2006 (UTC)

If I recall correctly, that happened before in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. -- ReyBrujo 01:24, 15 July 2006 (UTC)

That capability has existed in most Zelda games... Michael 06:57, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

No, not really. At time of release this was only the SECOND game in the series to do it. Utils 08:14, 15 June 2007 (UTC)

Glitches

While playing the game, I came across a few glitches. For example, if something was not done in correct order or done incorrectly, one could go no further in the game. Did anyone else notice such glitches? Michael 08:48, 30 July 2006 (UTC)

Here's a very infamous glitch: Get the boomerang then buy another shovel. Then, when you get the fire rod, the rod won't be in your inventory because there isn't enough space for it. So don't buy 2 shovels. (You're able to but 2 shovels because, you buy the first shovel, you trade it away, and then it appears in the shop again because you don't have it.) --Ephraim225 20:40, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

Link's Awakening contains the most abundant source of glitches and bugs I've ever seen in any one game. To list them all would more than double the article's length. Vizierde 19:06, 7 May 2007 (UTC)

Its not really a glitch but what about including the ability to steal from the shop owner in Mabe Village?Kou Nurasaka 18:07, 30 May 2007 (UTC)

Screen Jump Glitch and "Freaky World" glitch.

I was just reading the bit about the glitch in the game, but I see nothing confirming any of it. Yes, I know the Screen Jump Glitch works in the original game, but what about for the DX Version?

Also, should we include the glitch where if you jump off the top-left hand corner of the First Nightmare's platform with the Roc's feather and keep the Roc's feather button pressed whilst presing left, will enable you to access the Freaky World?

Wolf ODonnell 11:52, 16 August 2006 (UTC)

I think the real question to be asking here is why do we even have a glitches section in the first place? -- Steel 11:54, 16 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree with Steel. We need to remove this section, as it is completely unnecessary. Grendel 16:15, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Hidden features

I'd like to do a big edit of this section, move a few things into a Trivia section and cut out a bunch of stuff. There is a lot of information there that is appropriate for a game wiki, not Wikipedia. Sraan 04:20, 6 October 2006 (UTC)

I made the changes, let me know what you think. Sraan 00:56, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

Chronology

Is there any solid information on this game's chronology? Some people say it's a direct sequel to LttP while others say it folows OoT. And if LttP gets a chronology section, why not LA? Does it say anything in the manual? CeeWhy2 08:06, 27 December 2006 (UTC)

I don't know if there's any other source of information regarding the chronology but there's certainly nothing in the manual (for the original game, I imagine the DX one is the same though). All it says is that "you", meaning Link, have been training abroad after fulfilling an an ancient prophecy of a Legendary Hero and destroying Ganon. You're returning home when you get shipwrecked on Koholint. I think the LttP connection came about because there was no other clear connection and Zelda chronology wasn't that complex then and because of a similar depiction of Link, particularly in the official artwork. I personally suspect that it was OoT as that's the only time we know of Link traveling after completing an adventure. But that's only speculation and certainly can't have been what was intended at the time.

That was basically a long winded way of saying, I don't know. There probably should be some kind of note on the chronology but a lot of it would have to be speculation unless anyone can find some official info. Corbo 12:11, 27 December 2006 (UTC)

I obtained a manuscript of the manual. Here it is, for your perusal.

Though you fulfilled the Hyrulian prophecy of the Legendary Hero and destroyed the evil tyrant Ganon, the land of Hyrule enjoyed only a precarious peace. "Who knows what threats may arise from Ganon's ashes?" the restless people murmured as they knitted their brows and shook their heads. Ever vigilant, you decide to journey away from Hrule on a quest for enlightenment, in search of wisdom that would make you better able to withstand the next threat to your homeland. Months of difficult travel passed. After a long and fruitful voyage, you breathed deeply the sea spray from the deck of the ship that carried you home to Hyrule. But your homecomming was not to be. Suddenly a squall struck your ship, and though you valiantly fought the waves, a lighting bolt reduced you ship to splinters. Your world faded to black as you sunk into the darkness of the storm-tosses sea with the remains of your craft. But in the cold darkness if the deep, you heard a comforting voice that reminded you of home. It was a voice of Princess Zelda!

"You're going to be all right!" the voice said. "What a relief!"

You opened your eyes to find Princess Zelda standing over you-or was it ?!

Actually, it turned out to be a woman named Marin. She explained that you had drifted with the wreckage of your ship to the shores of Koholint Island. This mysterious island was unique for the gigantic egg which crowned its central mountain. It was said that a mythical creature, the Wind Fish, lay asleep inside the egg.

You set out in search of your sword and other gear that might have washed up on the beach with you. As you stood in the surf with your recovered sword, a strange owl suddenly appeared and hooted this riddle:

"Awaken the Wind Fish and all will be answered."

"What is the Wind Fish?" you wonder... And what did its awakening portend? Your most mysterious adventure yet, following the riddle of the Wind Fish though the uncharted island of Koholint, is about to unfold.

Hmm... I can see a definite connection. It mentions that the Link in this game filled the prophecy of the "Legendary Hero". Now, if I remember correctly, the hero spoken of in LttP, whose prophecy you fulfill in that game, was known as the "Hero of Legend". Both "Hero of Legend" and "Legendary Hero" are written pretty much the same way in Japanese, as well as the fact that this game was released soon after LttP, the two being the same Link would make sense. In addition to this, it mentions that the Ganon in this Link's past quest was reduced to ashes. There were only two games in which Ganon was reduced to ashes in the end; LttP and the original LoZ. And since the story arc of the original game was already rounded off by AoL, that means that LA could have only succeeded LttP. CeeWhy2 08:09, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

It's pretty much confirmed that this game takes place after A Link to the Past. First off, the art is identical (though this doesn't stop the Links from Wind Waker and the Four Swords games being different, and in the Adventure of Link he is older than his previous appearance). Secondly, in BS The Legend of Zelda: Ancient Stone Tablets, Link is away on a journey, the same one in Link's Awakening. I'm pretty sure, though, that Ganon doesn't get reduced to ashes in A Link to the Past, that seems to be an oversight on Nintendo's part. The only other game that might make sense would be the Oracle games (which used the same Link sprite if I recall correctly, and ended with Link on a boat, but doesn't explain Ancient Stone Tablets). Of course, it's also possible that Oracles takes place between those games since the Triforce is together, but it's a different Princess Zelda and Link appears younger. 208.101.140.76 19:54, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

It seems to me that there IS uncertainty; Certainly I'M not convinced. I definitely want to know more about this subject, but as it stands, the chronology remains unconfirmed in this forum. Zixor 22:19, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Ocarina

Would it be worth noting that this Zelda game was the first to feature the ocarina and not a flute for the musical instrument? The instrument played a much larger part in this game than previous Zelda games. Does it deserve a mention? DajoKatti 18:46, 9 February 2007 (UTC)

No... no it doesn't... --TheGreenLink 19:22, 20 February 2007 (UTC)

Additionally, I think that it's not really a notable feat in this case, since ALttP already used an Ocarina, but called it a Flute. - A Link to the Past (talk) 14:48, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

What IS notable, is that this is the first Zelda game where you can play more than one song or tune on an instrument. The first 3 games had only 1 tune when you played the flute. This game had 3 you could learn on the ocarina, in addition to the first tune which did nothing exept serve as a way to let Marin know that you had the ocarina.Link's Awakening 20:26, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

That is a trivial fact, though. - A Link to the Past (talk) 21:38, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

Japanese Links

Why are there Japanese links at the bottom of a page in the English Wikipedia?

-I agree. They really aren't very useful at all, so I'm taking them off. Zixor 13:25, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

Much work to be done

Much work needs to be done on this page. I'll probably get to it in a couple of months, after I finish with the preceeding games. Zixor 12:47, 28 June 2007 (UTC).

Outside references omissions

These were some recent omissions (those in bold) made to the Outside references section, presumably meant to make it more encyclopedic:

1)"Perhaps because Koholint Island exists only as a dream, it is populated by numerous references to and characters from other Nintendo titles." 2)"Additionally, although less obviously to Western players, the character of Prince Richard is from the Japan-only game Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (For the Frog the Bell Tolls), the engine from which Link's Awakening was built on."

Now, I personally never saw anything wrong with these fragments, and I actually liked them; but I can understand why some might feel that they're misplaced or unneeded. I admit that I've only been editing on Wikipedia for about a month, and I'm still trying to figure out exactly what Wikipedia is, and what kind of content we're trying to promote. My current feeling is this: The basic idea behind an article is to relay unbiased, helpful (toward understanding) information to a person who may not initially know anything about the subject matter, and to do so in a way that remains interesting and relatively accurate.

As for these specific examples, I feel they meet this criteria. The supposition about the reason behind the inclusion of other Nintendo characters in the game, while maybe not proven, seems viable. I don't think it's the case that theories of this nature are unwanted, and I think that this explanation is better than none.

Regarding the phrase, "although less obviously to Western players": I can certainly understand why some might find this unnecessary. -And yes, truthfully it adds very little in terms of actual information, as it may already be obvious that a Japanese game wouldn't be known of by Westerners (although this isn't necessarily the case); but it does serve other functions. Just as something like formatting or punctuating might enhance an article without actually providing any new information, this small assertion does the same thing, simply by acknowledging that the reader is likely to have been previously unaware of it. This is in contrast, say, to the bit about the inclusion of characters from the Mario series, which may have been more obvious to players. The line accomplishes a lot on the way of connecting with the reader, which is a good way to relay information.

So, in conclusion, omission of this except in the article doesn't change much in the way of information, but it does contribute to it's expression, and the "dream theory" is a good assumption which provides a reasonable explanation where before there was none. As such, I think they should be reinserted. Zixor 23:37, 8 July 2007 (UTC)

Unfortunately, we try not to include supposition of any kind. The fact that a theory is viable does not mean that it is true or canon. As such, we attempt to only include material that has reliable sources when editing. Without sources, this information has no value and can be misleading, even when it is made clear that it is only a theory. You could look up Wikipedia:Original Research for more information. --Niroht | Smoke signals 00:44, 9 July 2007 (UTC)

revelation

The article says that after Link enters the egg and defeats the nightmare, it is revealed to him that the island is merely a dream of the wind fish. As I recall, this revelation comes much earlier in the game. It's been a while since I played, but I'm sure I remember him making this discovery on a stone tablet, or something to that effect. Any comments? --Tjonp 18:55, 2 August 2007 (UTC) Yes, these plot points are certainly no secret.

Yeah, it's revealed that the Island is a dream of the Wind Fish in the desert portion of the Face Shrine, but it isn't too clear. I'll write in that it's revealed there, but clarified at the end of the game. --Niroht | Smoke signals 16:50, 3 August 2007 (UTC)

Action Adventure vs. RPG

Link's Awakening is an Action Adventure game. Every source cited in the page refers to the game as either Action, Adventure, or Action-Adventure. None call it an RPG.

If you look at the RPG wiki page and the Action-adventure wiki page, you can clearly see that Link's Awakening is not RPG. There is only one possible story outcome, and Link's actions do not affect how the story plays out. Link cannot be characterized and is the same for every game. There is very little RPG element of the game.

If you can find a reliable source that says Link's Awakening is an RPG, then cite it on the page. Until then, you have no evidence to support your claim, while there is a lot of evidence that supports the Action-Adventure genre. DajoKatti 03:20, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

As with the rest of the Zelda games, it is an action-adventure RPG. You play a role, (Link,) making it a role-playing game. In saying that there are very few elemts normally expected in RPGs, you are only partially correct. The battle system is not turn-based (which is NOT necessarily a defining feature of RPGs), but you still go through towns, intereact with people, fight enemies, collect treasure, etc. The only difference is the battle system, which does not exclude it from being a role-playing game; it merely further defines what type of RPG it is. SRPGs have a different battle system than most other RPGs, yet they are still considered RPGs; the same is true for games like the Tales series.

Your statement that Link's actions don't influence how the story plays out is also wrong. The only real story in the game is that the Wind Fish wakes up, making Koholint disappear. Link's entire quest is the fulfillment of this; thus the entire story is influenced by Link. ChaosMaster 00:07, 3 December 2007 (UTC)

I know this is a very late reply to this discussion, but I think your counterarguments are pretty weak. To say that playing the role of Link makes this a role-playing game is faulty logic since, by extension, any game in which you assume the role of a specific character would be an RPG. The same could be said for your argument that Link's actions affect the story--while true, any game that features a playable character and even a paper-thin plot would met the same criteria. To sum up, calling the Zelda games RPGs based on that logic is as good as calling Super Mario Bros. an RPG because you play a role (Mario) whose actions (fighting Goombas and Koopas) affects the outcome of the story (Peach is saved). Jeff Silvers (talk) 22:59, 6 April 2008 (UTC)

22A version

Nintendo released a version that fixed the select button warp exploit before the DX version. This cartridge had "22A" stamped onto the label instead of simply "22". I have all three versions, but I don't think I can post it because it's original research by definition... -- Myria (talk) 21:37, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, that's definitely good information that I'd love to see in the article. Zixor (talk) 17:53, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

However, it is original research at this point. Unless there is a reliable secondary source that discusses this, we can't use it. Pagrashtak 22:14, 5 December 2007 (UTC)