GBC Classic Link’s Awakening DX Receives A Fan-Made HD Port On PC

Nintendo Game Boy Color classic, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX has been ported to PC in a fan-made project. This meticulously crafted custom port has utilized modern hardware to breathe new life into the 90s title. Interestingly, Nintendo hasn’t removed the project from the website under its copyright policy yet, meaning you have a limited time to try this cool remaster before it’s noticed.

The remastered version which can now be downloaded from here, adds HD visuals, widescreen support, high resolution, and high frame rate options, making Link’s Awakening more impressive than ever. Another exciting feature is the smooth-scrolling landscape replacing the original game’s screen-by-screen presentation. Check out the trailer below to see for yourself.

But that’s not all, the standout feature of this PC port is the ability to zoom out, offering a panoramic view of Koholint Island with active NPCs and enemies. Simply use a slider in the options menu to choose a 1:1 pixel scale for a complete overview, all while maintaining smooth gameplay. The feature was highlighted by Digital Foundry’s John Linneman in a post on X (Twitter).

This is truly amazing. Playing Link's Awakening at 1:1 pixel scale with 120 fps scrolling – you can zoom the map alllll the way out and the entire world is active.https://t.co/H1ZLpd3sqy pic.twitter.com/wVjqhzAVu6

— John Linneman @dark1x.bsky.social (@dark1x) December 13, 2023

Moving forward, Link’s Awakening DX HD is currently available for free on itch.io. Given Nintendo’s track record of removing fan-made projects on copyright grounds, there’s a chance this recent port could disappear soon. Moreover, the creator of the remaster, who has received widespread praise for the substantial changes to the classic title, has chosen to stay anonymous, likely due to Nintendo’s strict approach in previous cases.

Furthermore, Nintendo has officially brought The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX to the Nintendo Switch as a complete remake featuring enhanced visuals and audio, released in 2019. The original game, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, was initially launched by Nintendo for the Game Boy in 1993, followed by an updated version, Link’s Awakening DX, in 1998 for the Game Boy Color.