Windows Zelda: Link's Awakening DX HD (PC) Windows Linux MacOS Android

[CSmith327]

Game Description:​

Port Credits:​

Released by: linksawakeningdxhd, BigheadSMZ
Status: Completed and receiving new improvement updates
Initial Release Date: 13 Dec 2023
Patch Version: v1.7.0
Patch Date: 29 March 2026

Source and details: https://archive.org/details/links-awakening-dx-hd (original itch.io download taken down by Big N)
Patch source and details: https://github.com/BigheadSMZ/Zelda-LA-DX-HD-Updated

Original description from itch.io:

Dive into the enchanting world of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX as you’ve never experienced it before, with this meticulously crafted PC version that breathes new life into this classic adventure. Immerse yourself in the nostalgia of Koholint Island with enhanced graphics and widescreen support, bringing the charming landscapes and characters to vivid detail on your modern PC display.

But that’s not all – we’ve turbocharged the gameplay with high framerate support, ensuring that every sword swing, puzzle solve, and enemy encounter feels smoother and more responsive than ever. Rediscover the magic of this timeless Zelda title with improved performance, letting you explore dungeons, uncover secrets, and engage in epic battles with unparalleled fluidity.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of Link’s Awakening or a newcomer to the series, this PC version offers a fresh take on the beloved classic, combining the essence of the original with cutting-edge enhancements. Embark on a journey across the mysterious island, solve puzzles, meet quirky characters, and relive the adventure with a level of polish and finesse that pays homage to the legendary legacy of The Legend of Zelda.

Besides creating ports for additional systems, the updates done by BigheadSMZ has produced a lot of changes and improvements. Since it's a bit too much to list here check out the changelogs mentioned on the releases page.

Main Features:​

• Ultra-Widescreen Support: The game is expanded to fit modern displays, allowing you to see much more of the map at once.
• Zoom Features: You can zoom the camera all the way out to see the entire active world map, or zoom in closer.
• High Frame Rate: Supports up to 120 fps for smooth scrolling and gameplay.
• Seamless Transitions: Unlike the original, which used screen-by-screen transitions, this version features a continuous, scrolling overworld.
• Improved Legibility: Features HD text with an optional alternate font and menus that are easier to read on high-resolution screens.
• Multi-Language Support: Includes support for various languages beyond the original release.
• Modern Lighting: Includes a new lighting engine for dungeons and visual effects like enemy electrocution.
• Post-processing Effects: Shadow outlines on enemies and characters along with fog effects.
• Expanded Item Slots: Adds extra item slots (mapped to 4 buttons), significantly reducing the need to constantly pause and swap items.
• Customizable Redux and Modifier Settings: Change various properties of the game to suit your preferred playstyle.
• Setting Presets: Easy and quick presets based on Modern, Classic, or Hybrid styles.
• Touch-Screen Controls: Android port has on-screen controls via an overlay but can be played with a controller as well.
• Probably some more I've not thought off

Forget the Switch remake, this here is the definitive experience for the game. It's probably the best way to play the best retro feeling game in the series, offering a stellar retro Zelda experience. Words honestly can't describe how amazing this port is tbh. It's a definite must play for any Zelda fan.

Thanks to BigheadSMZ this can now be played on all the main systems people use these days. So there's no excuse not to play it at this point lol

Original Release Trailer:

Some details about the update patch:

Download Links​

• Zelda: Link's Awakening DX HD (PC) Windows Linux MacOS Android

 

[Signos]

This is amazing !!!
Thank you.

 

[ct010]

It is possible to run this on the Anbernic linux handhelds?

 

[dannyj54147]

This is fantastic.

 

[Raytheon]

Waiting for the day a remake like this is available for Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages as well.

 

[lordlad]

Is this the first time cdromance hosted an android apk

 

[B-Nerd1]

this is one that need more updates them most roms/games posted here
with updated around every 2 days

 

[kaine23]

wow this is pretty!!

 

[roundtree]

I had been adding a bunch of niche/hard to run stuff to the repo lately, so I figured I should add something that everybody could enjoy if they wanted to check it out. Also in the 3 Android screenshots I'm not sure if the uneven pixels was because of my tablet or if that's a common issue with the Android port. (check screenshot 20 to see what I'm referring to) My tablet is like 12 years old and could barely run the game. Maybe I could have fixed it up through the settings, but I just started it up without changing anything.

This is so amazing I can't believe it's for Linux and Android also. Thank you!

 

[Rocket2049]

thanks for posting this, didn't realize it was STILL being updated at all! (and i follow VG Esoterica and missed it)
best way to play this game, idc what anyone says,

the only, ONLY thing that would make it insanely better, is co-op play aka Four swords style, with netplay mixed in it would make a for really fun time.

BTW any major differences between Windows openGL or DX11?
the DX11 one loads to title screen much faster so i'm using that one. (windows 11)

FYI there's a code, if you put your name as "DebugMode" (D and M are capital, no space)
you get every usable item equipment (level 1)

 

[SuperSaiyanSwagger]

Thanks for the upload! Also adding the versions for other OS's is very cool of you!!

 

[madao]

Does anyone know how to port the ARM version of Link's Awakening HD to work on a Raspberry Pi 4 in batocera ?

 

[CSmith327]

The one thing that attracts me to modern MacOS is that it's built on Unix and you can do anything in the terminal.

By the way, this is an incredible project. Playing with the camera zoomed out is amazingly addictive, but I feel like it's probably messing up the experience in dungeons. I also feel like some of the lighting is a little bit much.

That's the beautiful thing about this. You can make it as close to original as you want by toggling things off or on. Like the shadows and lighting and fog and all that can be disabled and you can switch to zoomed in classic camera with the super gameboy border and it feels closer to vanilla. There's also a preset for "Purist Mode" as well in the settings. It's actually very versatile

 

[fmsynthetic]

Try this: "To run Mac binaries not ending in .app, you must make them executable using chmod +x [filename] in Terminal and run them with ./filename If blocked by macOS, authorize them via System Settings > Privacy & Security or by running xattr -d com.apple.quarantine [filename] to remove quarantine attributes."
Obviously without the [ ] brackets

Or in case it's already marked as executable just run it in terminal doing the ./filename thing

The one thing that attracts me to modern MacOS is that it's built on Unix and you can do anything in the terminal.

By the way, this is an incredible project. Playing with the camera zoomed out is amazingly addictive, but I feel like it's probably messing up the experience in dungeons. I also feel like some of the lighting is a little bit much.

 

[CSmith327]

On another note I found out how to get rid of the uneven pixel gaps in the Android version. Just change to different screen scale/zoom amounts until you find one that works best for your display. My tablet did best with 4x.

 

[fmsynthetic]

Normally Mac files end with a .app extension. This one doesn't have one for some reason unless there's something else I need to do

I don't really know anything about Macs either, but apparently .app files are just folders that run executables, so there should still be an executable somewhere

edit: it should be the file called 'Link's Awakening DX HD'

 

[CSmith327]

Normally Mac files end with a .app extension. This one doesn't have one for some reason unless there's something else I need to do

Try this: "To run Mac binaries not ending in .app, you must make them executable using chmod +x [filename] in Terminal and run them with ./filename If blocked by macOS, authorize them via System Settings > Privacy & Security or by running xattr -d com.apple.quarantine [filename] to remove quarantine attributes."
Obviously without the [ ] brackets

Or in case it's already marked as executable just run it in terminal doing the ./filename thing

 

[pables]

Run the executable? I'd assume? I don't know anything about mac tbh

Normally Mac files end with a .app extension. This one doesn't have one for some reason unless there's something else I need to do

 

[CSmith327]

How do you run the mac OS one?

Run the executable? I'd assume? I don't know anything about mac tbh

 

[pables]

How do you run the mac OS one?

 

[Leon]

Thanks for adding the linux version, never get's enough love.

 

[lemonsodda]

Puff esto es increíble

 

[JustLooking456]

This is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time!!! I LOVE IT

 

[rootCompute]

Wow nice, thank you for sharing! There's so much cool stuff on this repo I'd have never heard about otherwise

 

[CSmith327]

I had been adding a bunch of niche/hard to run stuff to the repo lately, so I figured I should add something that everybody could enjoy if they wanted to check it out. Also in the 3 Android screenshots I'm not sure if the uneven pixels was because of my tablet or if that's a common issue with the Android port. (check screenshot 20 to see what I'm referring to) My tablet is like 12 years old and could barely run the game. Maybe I could have fixed it up through the settings, but I just started it up without changing anything.

 

[rebornmew]

Has anyone tested the APK, i just ordered a retroid flip 2 a few days ago and wanna play this on it.