When I first played this game in 1994, I knew I was in for not only fun, but for a challenge.  I had to get use to switching all of Link's items on the inventory screen - including the power bracelet, sword, and shield - for example of which are some of the items that Link is usually automatically equipped with from the other games while the "B" button was used for other weapons that Link can switch to.  That was kind of annoying.  The navigations and secrets (for progression) were a bit more like a guessing game unlike the NES titles and A Link To The Past.  I do commend the game for the consistency of the original gameplay and use of many items like the past Zelda games.  The  story's plot mentions Link's boat being crashed due to a thunderstorm and being washed up on shore of Koholint Island so the kingdom of Hyrule is non existent in this game and neither is Princess Zelda.  With help from new friends (like the beautiful Marin, her strange Uncle Tarin, and a annoying, yet wise owl), Link must defeat 8 different nightmare guardians so he can aquire 8 different instruments to unlock the egg to awaken the Wind Fish (his only means of returning home), but not before defeating the last nightmare creature that takes the form of Ganon and other enemies from Link's past.  After winning the game, it turns out that the town of Koholint and all of its inhabitants were all non existent and Link was dreaming the whole time (kind of like Super Mario 2 from NES).  At the time, Link's Awakening was the most challenging Zelda game I played (besides The Adventures of Link on the NES).  Unlike any other Zelda title, there are some great secret features in the game that the player can use such as "stealing" items from the store (yes, you can take items from the store while make the store clerk look the other way while you quickly go on your way), but don't come back to the store and be prepared to have the people you come accross call you "THIEF" instead of the name you registered..lol.  I still have my original copy so I can try to beat it again.  Its a fun game and I'm glad that the first portable Zelda game was done right.