I find Link's Awakening to be the most underrated Zelda. Well,"underrated" may not be the word for it, but LA seems to be the most overshadowed Zelda. It hardly ever gets attention, and that's too bad since it is one of the better Zelda games. Fans and critics are quick to dub ALttP the best 2D Zelda, Ocarina of Time the best overall, or whatever, but Link's Awakening hardly ever gets the attention it deserves anymore. It seems that even Zelda II gets more spotlight, even if it is negative.

The way I see it: Link's Awakening is one of the greatest games of all time, the best handheld/2D Zelda, and maybe even the best written Zelda. A lot of Zeldas charming humor was first displayed in Link's Awakening, as well as the idea of fully fleshed-out sidequests, and the formula used for the handheld Zeldas afterword. So, in several senses, it is a pioneer. Not only that, but everything it did different, it did better. There is no Ganon, no Zelda, no Hyrule, and no Triforce; no destiny and no Master Sword. It's a simple story with great characters, excellent music (Searching for Your Sword, Overworld Theme, Tal Tal Heights, and Ballad of the Wind Fish rank high on the great themes of the Zelda series), and just a very lively world is really nothing more than a dream.

I'm replaying Link's Awakening right now, as well as Twilight Princess and Ocarina of Time. It's strange, but the 8-bit Gameboy game is superior to both in so many ways. I'm shocked that fans never accepted it to be at least the best 2D Zelda. Oh well, we all have our opinions, but I suggest you give Link's Awakening another go. You may feel the way I feel when it comes to the lack of attention LA gets.

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