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

 

[B-Nerd1]

for people who can't wait get your update from here https://github.com/BigheadSMZ/Zelda-LA-DX-HD-Updated just download the latest from the releases page & double click the exe saly the linux & android version need a pc for linux you need wine
but you can select your os & it will update it to that version & do your os

 

[CSmith327]

csmith has told they will only update for major version like 1.8.0

Actually it's not that. I'm going to have to put being a repo curator on an indefinite hiatus since I'm unable to upload files to the repo due to my current internet quality situation. I'm unable to log into the system on my laptop and on my tablet the uploader can't upload anything more than a few hundred kilobytes before getting stuck and failing. The reasoning is personal and stupid, but there's nothing I can do about it. I've not uploaded anything since I added that Tales of Phantasia NES bootleg over a week ago (or whenever that was) I've been getting Rage Burner to help update and maintain some of my posts since I'm unable. I would have kept updating this constantly if it were up to me, but sadly there's nothing I can do. I'll get him to update this when he's not too busy with something else. I'll make a forum post later about this, but if you guys had been wondering why I haven't been sharing anything to the repo recently that's why. That Secret of Mana Climate Crisis one wouldn't have been possible without Rage Burner's help. I created the post but he uploaded the file

 

[B-Nerd1]

Now version 1.7.5 is out

csmith has told they will only update for major version like 1.8.0

 

[StopTheCatastrophe]

It's weird that there's no option to use the original camera-sliding / screen-change thing between screens. Of course you can turn on the giant zoomed out camera view here, but I'm talking about when you turn that off: the "Normal" / "Classic" camera option is nothing like the original, it suddenly cuts to the new screen when changing screens. The original game had that slide move, which dated to the original Zelda 1 (NES) I think, it was neat... why was it destroyed here.

 

[LastValsion]

Now version 1.7.5 is out

 

[Jdan-S]

Linux build runs great on Steam Deck. Thanks for this!

 

[fmsynthetic]

So going to try this. This was one of my most favorite GameBoy games.

You're gonna love it

 

[Unassuming_Spook]

So going to try this. This was one of my most favorite GameBoy games.

 

[kristycocopop]

Does anyone know how to update this in Linux?

 

[AWildBanana]

Compilation normally turns like, C+ or whatever into assembler language, right? How do you do that in reverse? Is it an AI thing?

By using specialized tools and by being very very patient and dedicated. Decompilations projects can take years depending on the game complexity. Here we got a GB-GBC game so, it must still be manageable, a little. Have fun decompiling N64, or PS2 games.

 

[Masterofthefalcon]

My favorite 2d Zelda as an android app? Perfect.

 

[Defused Nun]

Nice. Now do Oracle of Ages/Seasons.

 

[CSmith327]

Mac AMD64?? Did you mean ARM64?
I have just seen that there were other comments about AMD64 instead of ARM64.
I don't think this is a playable file/folder though, or is it?

The file in the Mac one is an executable. Just like the one in the Linux one. Neither one of them have file extensions on them and they need to be marked as executable using a terminal command or something, but those files are the binary/executables of them.

well,update are available now you can update it again 1.7.3

That version labeled 1.7.3 RC1 is only a beta/unfinished WIP release candidate and not the final stable build for v1.7.3. So until the completed version of the next update is released this post won't be updated. This post will only maintain stable releases. Beta and WIP builds won't be added. It's already gonna be a hassle enough updating it with how frequent it gets updates. Uploading the unfinished beta ones too would be dumb

 

[Gyro_5000]

The links are working now. Also the file size labels should be accurate when they weren't before. I had Rage Burner help me with updating this since I'm unable to. He accidentally labeled them AMD64 when they're supposed to be Arm64. Also the Android version has the Content and Data folders left over into it but you can delete and ignore those since the only thing that matters is the .apk file. If anything is funky go ahead and let us know. Me and Rage Burner don't know anything about MacOS (and I'm honestly not even sure the dude who worked on these does either) so you guys will have to help each other out on how to run the MacOS version since they didn't mention how on Github

well,update are available now you can update it again 1.7.3

Post automatically merged: Apr 8, 2026

this game works so good on android, in portrait and landscape too!
touch screen controls can't move though, it supports gamepads on android!

Post automatically merged: Apr 8, 2026

update 1.7.3 adds a launcher that includes a bunch of "mod" options, like how fast it takes to charge sword, how long for boots to start running, how high you jump, and even a map editor mode toggle (you can teleport around the map with it also) the tweaking options of this game are ridiculous lol
fyi putting your name as "DebugMode" with capital D and M, starts you with all 8 equip items

debugmode cheat actually useful for newbie first time playing zelda lol.. i'd rather play with a challenge but thanks for that.

i though this doesnt have debugmode i dont know that.

 

[Moloch]

Mac AMD64?? Did you mean ARM64?
I have just seen that there were other comments about AMD64 instead of ARM64.
I don't think this is a playable file/folder though, or is it?

 

[Rocket2049]

this game works so good on android, in portrait and landscape too!
touch screen controls can't move though, it supports gamepads on android!

Post automatically merged: Apr 8, 2026

update 1.7.3 adds a launcher that includes a bunch of "mod" options, like how fast it takes to charge sword, how long for boots to start running, how high you jump, and even a map editor mode toggle (you can teleport around the map with it also) the tweaking options of this game are ridiculous lol
fyi putting your name as "DebugMode" with capital D and M, starts you with all 8 equip items

 

[CSmith327]

The links are working now. Also the file size labels should be accurate when they weren't before. I had Rage Burner help me with updating this since I'm unable to. He accidentally labeled them AMD64 when they're supposed to be Arm64. Also the Android version has the Content and Data folders left over into it but you can delete and ignore those since the only thing that matters is the .apk file. If anything is funky go ahead and let us know. Me and Rage Burner don't know anything about MacOS (and I'm honestly not even sure the dude who worked on these does either) so you guys will have to help each other out on how to run the MacOS version since they didn't mention how on Github

 

[exem]

Thank you very much! By the way, the Windows OpenGL link is down.

 

[Falange]

how do yo run this in mac?

 

[fmsynthetic]

Decompilation is the reverse of compilation. But what is Compilation? Well, it's simple, it's taking the source code of a program and turn him into the finished product you'll run on your machine. For Windows that mean, for exemple, using VStudio and the result is the famous .exe.
Decompilation mean the opposit, you take the finished product and reverse is to its original source code version.
There are two advantages at doing that:
- First, you got complete access to the source code of the game, which open the possibility to do extended modification to it.
- Second, that mean you can Recompile it to make it run natively on a different hardware, like, for exemple, oh I don't know, a PC on windows for exemple. This has the advantage to avoid some emulation hurdle, but also to push a game way beyond what he was capable to do originally.

And that's basically what that thing is.

Compilation normally turns like, C+ or whatever into assembler language, right? How do you do that in reverse? Is it an AI thing?

 

[Signos]

All updates are welcome.
Thanks.

 

[BorderZone]

I don't want to be "that guy", but you have the option to toggle between classic mode/new mode, and how far in or out the camera is zoomed. It says DX so critical thinking suggests it's an enhanced DX version, based on the DX version.

 

[SkullBorked]

I don't want to be that guy but: no.
the widescreen RUINS the game. Like you do not know what lurks around the corner, there is always that surprise and you are like: holy shit there are monsters. here you already see everything. so seriously that ruins it.

also I bet it is based on the DX version. I hate the DX version so much. The OG version is great and has all those jokes and everything. With the DX version nintendo noticed those jokes are not okay for a nintendo game because you know they are prude fucks so they removed all the great jokes and great lines the OG version has. so no I will never play the DX version, fuck the colour dungeon.

what jokes you ask? Mermaid lost her *sexy bikini top* and you have to get it back and Link makes a pervy comment about it. They replaced it with pearl necklace in the DX version.
The crocodile does a nude drawing of the Hippo in the OG version, removed in the DX version.
and here are some lines from the ORIGINAL German version and no I am NOT kidding. IF you apply that sleeping powder over some enemies they say: 1) never without a condom 2) give me your juices and I will give you mine
To this very day it beats me how they got away with this but I can see why they removed it in the DX version. Still the giggles we had as kids because of such lines in an original Nintendo title.
Also I got the OG version on that Game Boy Micro thing that only has Zelda games and those lines are lucky still in there because they did not use the DX version even though the thing is capable of colour since it has those NES games as well. I am wondering why they didnt do it.

View attachment 171782

 

[AlucarD]

How do save files work on Android if I install a new version? Are they retained, or will I have to start the game from beginning if I wanna update?

Save files is retained. No need to start over. Just update game (.apk) by installing the newer/latest version. Same with future updates.

 

[Thaddeus Grey]

So how exactly would I run one of the Mac versions? I have an Apple silicon Macbook, so I'm assuming that I'd use the AMD64 (sic) version. But I'm not 100% sure how to run it and I'm not really seeing any documentation on how to get it running.