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The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening vs Portal

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

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The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
The Legend of Zelda: Link's AwakeningA timeless adventure where a young hero awakens on a mysterious island.
Portal
PortalChallenge your mind with the ultimate first-person puzzle game.
Overview
Description

Link's Awakening follows the iconic hero as he washes ashore on Koholint Island, a dreamlike world filled with puzzles, quirky characters, and hidden secrets. Players explore dungeons, solve riddles, and collect instruments to awaken the Wind Fish and return home. The game blends classic action-adventure gameplay with charming retro graphics, offering a nostalgic yet fresh experience for both new and veteran players.

Portal is a first-person puzzle game developed by Valve. Players take on the role of Chell, a test subject who awakens in the Aperture Science computer-aided enrichment center. Guided by the sadistic artificial intelligence system GLaDOS, Chell must navigate through increasingly challenging test chambers using the 'portal gun,' a device that can create two portals that allow for instant transportation between them. As Chell progresses through the game, she uncovers the dark secrets behind Aperture Science and must use her wits to escape the crumbling facility.

Pricing
Paid (One-time)
Paid (One-time)
Category
Puzzle Adventure
Puzzle Adventure
Best for
Adventure and puzzle fans
Gamers and puzzle enthusiasts
Specifications
Spec source
AI-estimated
AI-estimated
General
msrp
$59.99
$19.99โˆ’67%
release date
1993-06-06
2007-10-10
Specifications
developer
Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development
Valve
publisher
Nintendo, Playtronic
Valve, Electronic Arts
age rating
ESRB E
ESRB M, PEGI 16
multiplayer
Single player
Single player
critic score
80/100
80/100
platforms
โ€”
PlayStation 3, Linux, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Engaging puzzles and exploration
  • Memorable retro aesthetic
  • Rich soundtrack enhances immersion
  • Replay value with hidden secrets
  • Challenging and addictive gameplay
  • Immersive storyline with a sadistic AI antagonist
  • Mind-bending puzzles that require critical thinking
  • Unique gameplay mechanic with the portal gun
Cons
  • Limited combat depth compared to modern titles
  • No multiplayer options
  • Original Game Boy graphics may feel dated to some
  • Short gameplay experience
  • Limited replay value
  • Some players may find the puzzles too challenging or frustrating
Community & Metrics
Upvotes
0
0
User rating
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More alternatives & similar tools

Alternatives to The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

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The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Classic 2D adventure that defines the actionโ€‘puzzle genre

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The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX

Classic handheld adventure reborn with vibrant colors and new puzzles.

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The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

A tiny hero embarks on a big adventure to save Hyruleโ€™s smallest citizens.

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The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Embark on a dark adventure to restore light to Hyrule.

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Alternatives to Portal

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Portal 2
Portal 2

Building on the award-winning Portal

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Half-Life
Half-Life

Question Everything

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Cat in the Box
Cat in the Box

A curious cat in a mysterious box

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The Orange Box
The Orange Box

A legendary collection of awardโ€‘winning games in one box

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The Verdict

AI-generated from listing data

Portal is the cheaper, modern sci-fi puzzle default, while The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening offers a retro fantasy adventure at triple the price. The main trade-off is paying $19.99 for a short portal-gun experience versus $59.99 for an island exploration adventure.

Key differences

  • โ€ขPortal uses a portal gun mechanic for first-person puzzle solving, whereas Link's Awakening features top-down island exploration and dungeon puzzles with magical instruments.
  • โ€ขPortal is priced at $19.99, while Link's Awakening has an MSRP of $59.99.
  • โ€ขPortal has a short gameplay experience with limited replay value, while Link's Awakening offers replay value with hidden secrets and alternate endings.
  • โ€ขPortal is rated ESRB M / PEGI 16 with a sadistic AI antagonist, while Link's Awakening is rated ESRB E with a retro aesthetic and memorable characters.
DimensionWinner

Gameplay & fun factor

Portal features a unique portal gun mechanic and immersive storyline with a sadistic AI, while Link's Awakening offers retro adventure and dungeon puzzles.

Portal

Platform availability

Portal is available on PC, Mac, Linux, PS3, Xbox 360, Switch, and Android. Platform for Link's Awakening is not specified.

Portal

Price & value

Portal costs $19.99 (one-time), while Link's Awakening costs $59.99 (one-time).

Portal

Multiplayer / co-op

Both games are strictly single-player with no multiplayer options.

Tie

Content & replayability

Link's Awakening features replay value with alternate endings and hidden secrets, whereas Portal has limited replay value and a short gameplay experience.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Difficulty & accessibility

Portal's puzzles may be challenging or frustrating for some players. Link's Awakening requires logic and skillful combat.

Portal

Graphics & performance

Portal is a first-person 3D sci-fi game. Link's Awakening features a retro aesthetic, and its original Game Boy graphics may feel dated.

Portal

Choose The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening ifโ€ฆ

Adventure and puzzle fans looking for a retro fantasy journey with exploration and replay value.

Choose Portal ifโ€ฆ

Gamers seeking a short, mind-bending first-person puzzle experience with a lower price tag.

Common questions

How much do these games cost?

Portal has an MSRP of $19.99, while The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening has an MSRP of $59.99.

Do either of these games support multiplayer?

No, both Portal and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening are single-player only.

What are the age ratings for each game?

Portal is rated ESRB M and PEGI 16, whereas The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is rated ESRB E.