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What is Hero Mode in Link's Awakening on Nintendo Switch?

Learn the difference between Classic and Hero Mode in The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening on Nintendo Switch.

Josh Hawkins

September 26, 2019 11:25 AM

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When you first go to start up your game in The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, you’ll find yourself faced with a decision. Do you want to play the game in Classic Mode or Hero Mode? While the choice does offer a brief bit of information about Hero Mode and Classic Mode, many are still confused about exactly what the difference here is. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide that will detail the differences between Hero Mode and Classic Mode in Link’s Awakening.

What is Hero Mode in Link’s Awakening on Nintendo Switch?

In the typical Zelda formula, players will find Heart Pieces and Heart Containers as they make their way along their journey. This allows you to have a much larger pool of health and also lets you take more hits before you perish and have to restart an area. In Hero Mode, players will find that all Heart Pieces and Heart Containers have been disabled. Instead, you’ll play through the game with the basic amount of hearts that you begin with.

On top of that, enemies will also hit players for twice the damage than they usually do. This makes it explicitly important to defend and dodge enemy attacks and adds a significant increase in the game’s challenge. You’ll also respawn with fewer hearts when you do die, which means you can find yourself stuck in loops of constantly dying if you aren’t careful.

Curious what we think about the game? Check out our Link's Awakening review for more details!

Aside from that, there aren’t any additional differences between Hero Mode and Classic Mode. The biggest thing to keep in mind if you plan on playing Hero Mode is that the game will be much more challenging, and if you haven’t completed Link’s Awakening before, we’d suggest trying it out on Classic Mode first. Then you can replay with Hero Mode active.

Now that you know the difference between Hero Mode and Classic Mode, head back over to our Link’s Awakening hub for more help with the game, including some handy boss guides that should help you take down the toughest dungeons.

Josh Hawkins

Guides Editor

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has been exploring the world of video games for as long as he can remember. He enjoys everything from large-scale RPGs to small, bite-size indie gems and everything in between.