The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening helps kids practice and improve the following skills:

Flexibility: Adapting and adjusting to changing conditions and expectations.

Many situations within the game require the player to adapt to changing circumstances and think of creative ways to approach different problems. For example, a boss in one dungeon may be susceptible to sword attacks while they are not effective against the next boss. Certain areas may seem inaccessible until the player thinks about the items in their inventory and how they can be used in different ways. For players who struggle with flexibility, taking the time to explore the world map and try out what each item can do in different locations or with different types of enemies can help build up this skill and make the player more comfortable when they are tackling harder areas like the dungeons. 

Working Memory: Recalling and retaining information in our minds while working.

While moving through the game, the player will encounter many different areas which are, at that point, inaccessible. They might also receive an item from an NPC (non-playable character) which seems to have no current use. The player needs to access their working memory in order to recall the locations of these inaccessible areas and remember the items in their inventory when they obtain an item which can help them progress in areas where there was no way to move forward. For example, until the player acquires bombs, there are certain areas hidden behind walls that are not accessible.

The player needs to recall where those walls are once they receive this item in order to find out what is hiding behind them. For players who struggle with working memory, the map features a tool where players can set down markers to remind themselves of areas they would like to go back and revisit later. Writing down what they saw on a piece of paper or in their notes app on their phone can also help the player recall where they need to go.