The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Link can flatten himself against walls to become a 2D painting, allowing him to slip through narrow cracks and reach otherwise inaccessible areas in Hyrule and Lorule. This ability is powered by a magic gauge that depletes while you are merged. It fundamentally changes how dungeon puzzles are designed compared to previous Zelda titles.

While A Link Between Worlds is a spiritual successor set in the same version of Hyrule with a similar map layout, the standalone story is perfectly understandable without playing the SNES classic. The game introduces a new dark world called Lorule and features an entirely new villain named Yuga. However, fans of the 1991 original will appreciate the heavy nostalgic nods and returning locations like Hyrule Castle.

Instead of finding items hidden in specific dungeons, almost all of Link's gear can be rented early in the game from a new character named Ravio. Ravio sets up a shop in Link's house, allowing you to rent items like the bow, bombs, and hookshot for a small fee in rupees. You eventually have the option to permanently buy the items once you progress far enough into the story.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is exclusively playable on the Nintendo 3DS family of handheld consoles. It was released in 2013, taking full advantage of the system's stereoscopic 3D glasses-free display. Because it relies on the dual-screen setup for inventory and map management, it has not been ported to modern home consoles.