A Link to Greatness



Shortly after the release of the 3DS, Zelda fans have asked for a remake of the SNES classic The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the past. Nintendo listened, but decided to go a step further and make a sequel titled The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. The game finally came out a short time ago, and like any Zelda game, Nintendo does not disappoint.

First off, you do not need to have played A Link to the Past in order to enjoy A Link Between Worlds. Long-time Zelda fans will recognize that A Link Between Worlds is set in the same world as A Link to the Past.

Story Spoilers:

What would a Zelda game be without some awesome items? In A Link Between Worlds you will see some items known well from other Zelda games like the Hookshot, along with some reacurring items from A Link to the Past such as the hammer. Every item is needed for at least one dungeon, but it would be smart to keep some other items on hand as you might need them for a later dungeon. You may also need an item to get to specific areas that are otherwise blocked off, usually leading to a piece of heart or a silver rupee.



A Link Between Worlds does two things very different from the other Zelda games, how you obtain items and how you go through dungeons. First, Link can rent out items instead of finding them in a dungeon. A guy named Ravio decides to occupy your house and use it to rent out equipment for you. However if you die you have to rent them out again. Later in the game you can buy the items and you will no longer have to pay every time you die. Whether you find it nice or want to beat Ravio until he runs out of your house, he’s there and you can’t change it. You’ll run across many rupees on your adventure, so affording the items won’t be a problem.

The second new feature is that now you can go through the dungeons in almost any order. The only thing keeping you from going literally though any dungeon in order is that you have to complete the first three before you can go to the other six. This feature is incredibly helpful, if you get stuck or annoyed by a certain dungeon, simply go to another one and come back to it later. I could have easily used this feature for every other Zelda game I’ve played

These two new features are wonderful inclusions, they are great and are definitely helpful for newbies to Zelda, but I still find the Link painting method to be the creative driving force behind what makes this Zelda stand out from the others. You’ve probably already seen it in gameplay videos, but you can merge with the walls of Hyrule. This is obtained early in the game with Ravio’s bracelet. This is used cleverly with the dungeons, and you must think at all times “would using the painting power help here?” Not only in the dungeons, but also in the overworld you can use the painting power to find pieces of heart and find little Maiamai’s, which you can collect to upgrade your items after returning them to their mother.



I found it interesting that Nintendo ditched arrows and bombs as supplies, and switched them with a stamina meter. Personally, I really liked it, now you don’t have to search for pesky arrows and bombs, just wait a few seconds and your stamina gauge replenishes! I’m not sure if I would want this in Zelda Wii U, but it worked for A Link Between Worlds. It also takes away stamina slowly while you use the painting power, so move fast!

So the game sounds great, but how’s the difficulty? I honestly found it to be a little too easy, I died only twice, once for not paying attention to my heart meter in the overworld, and the other was at a boss. I felt some bosses were challenging, but some were a “wait, that’s it?” kind of battle. When I first played A Link to the Past I found the bosses to be much harder than the ones in A Link Between Worlds, but the final boss was refreshingly tough, as I had to use two blue potions and ended the battle with 3 hearts left.

I can’t find much to complain about A Link Between Worlds; in fact I would say it’s one of the better handheld Zeldas out there. I loved the music, the graphics are pretty good for the 3DS, and the game isn’t short. You could say some bosses were much harder than others, but the beauty of this game is that if you get stuck at a boss, beat another dungeon instead and come back to the first one later. I wouldn’t mind having this feature in Zelda Wii U, but I have a feeling that isn’t going to happen.

So what else can I say? It’s Zelda, and it’s one of the better handheld Zeldas out there. If you don’t have this game now, go out and buy it! It took me almost 15 hours to beat the main game on my first go, but I didn’t collect everything, which would add a few more hours to the game. What are you waiting for? Go to the store and buy one of the finest 3DS titles out there right now.

Pros: great music, cool items, any order dungeons

Cons: Bosses are a little unbalanced in difficulty

Final Rating: 10/10