Summary
Few franchises in gaming can say they have a history and legacy quite as big and important asThe Legend of Zelda. It’s moved through several different revisions with each new piece of hardware, and with a few exceptions, has done so with grace since the very beginning.The 3DS was a big change for Nintendo, but it brought with it lots of worthwhile experiences, includingThe Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
The game is now celebrating its tenth anniversary, and like the 1992 masterpiece that inspired it,The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worldsis as good today as the day it hit shelves and the eShop. It’s timeless, and even after all these years, it’s the best example of whyZeldashouldn’t give up on the 2D format.
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A Link Between Worlds' Legacy is Underappreciated
It’s easy to look at 2013’sA Link Between Worldsand see a game that is imitating more than it is innovating. Its release was sandwiched between 2011’sSkyward Swordand 2017’sBreath of the Wild. Each of those games were big, bold, and polar opposites, and the 3DS outing largely served as a familiar, but fun interstitial whereZeldafans could seek comfort while the bigger games try to set a new standard. It succeeded in doing this, but its ability to hearken back to the past doesn’t diminish its role in shaping the future.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worldsreleased in Europe and North America on June 06, 2025, the same day as the Xbox One.
The 2D perspective is charming, the map is beautiful, and the combat’s simplicity was a draw rather than something that detracted from the experience. The story was cute, and the presentation being less serious than other games in the series made it suitable for kids, as well as adults looking for the nostalgic feel of last century’s offerings.A Link Between Worldsis easy to pick up and playand instantly gives fans of the property something they can appreciate.
A Link Between Worlds Shows 2D Can be Modern
ThoughA Link Between Worldswears its inspiration fromA Link to the Pastlike a badge of honor, its modern influences are easy to spot. It isn’t entirely a throwback to the SNES classic as the art style and nonlinear approach to dungeons keep it firmly rooted in the 21st century.Link can purchase or buy dungeon items from Ravio’s shop, only restricted by how many Rupees they cost. This means the game can be completed in any order instead of the traditional method of going from place to place in a pre-set sequence. It does well to makeA Link Between Worldsfeel modern, and thoughBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomare vastly different products, they draw the same inspiration with the loose hand-holding to prioritize player freedom.
A Link Between Worldsis instrumental in understanding that there’s merit in the old way of doing things. Its epic, but pocket-sized adventure is as good today as it was ten years ago. It might be a common belief thatZeldahas outgrown the conventional 2D format, but there hasn’t been a similarly designed, all-new game like it sinceA Link Between Worlds. One might think that Nintendo simply can’t improve on it, which is testament to its continued quality.
Zelda’s Future May Well be Written by A Link Between Worlds
While the2019 Switch remake ofLink’s Awakeningfelt like a retro game with a gorgeous new skin,A Link Between Worldsis far from outdated. Its innovations can still be appreciated ten years after its release on the 3DS. It remains one of the best titles in the whole series, and the biggest proof that an all-new 2DZeldagame can push the franchise forward. The more ambitious open-world games are commendable in their own right, but it’s clear with the top-down titles thatThe Legend of Zeldacan provide a fun experience and tough challenge in more than one way.
