The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Overall, this world is one you are not going to want to miss and I highly recommend it.

An amazing accomplishment; it manages to root itself deep in the fertile nostalgia millions of gamers have for A Link to the Past while simultaneously morphing classic Zelda mechanics and introducing brand new ideas that fit in perfectly with the storied franchise.

A Link Between Worlds is a relief for those who feared the franchise was stagnated. The innovations are here to stay.

Even put up against the likes of Animal Crossing and Pokémon X & Y , The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is easily the best 3DS game of 2013. It's quite simply a work of art that deserves to be part of your private collection.

It’s easily the best original Legend of Zelda release since the N64 days, and I think you’ll find it’s something you don’t want to miss.

This isn’t just a tribute; as amazing as A Link to the Past is, I can’t think of a single thing A Link Between Worlds doesn’t do better...In every way, A Link Between Worlds is exactly what you want out of a Zelda game.

It rewards those of us who know A Link to the Past’s version of Hyrule like the back of our hand, but makes enough concessions for those who didn’t play the original the first time around.

A perfect handheld Zelda experience, offering the classic gameplay you cherish at a snappier pace. Link's new 2D ability, combined with the nonlinear progression, provide a flexibility that makes exploring the land – both Hy and Lo – exciting all over again.

Painting over any cracks that were starting to appear in the Zelda series, A Link Between Worlds is a refreshing experience and another Nintendo 3DS masterpiece.

A Link Between Worlds recognizes that it’s not tacked-on stealth segments or waggling a controller to roll bombs that makes Zelda tick—it’s the unbounded exploration and freedom found in the NES original, and it’s finally back in full force here. Every Zelda fan needs to play this game.

Along with some of the best music I've ever heard in a game, its intelligent dungeon design, incredible use of 3D and the merge mechanic - which will constantly trick and challenge your mind - and the numerous nods to the entire series meant I thought my heart would burst from my chest in joy. This deserves its place among the great Zelda games of yesteryear.

Without a doubt, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is currently the greatest game you can experience on the 3DS.

One of the best Zeldas of all time. No question, just buy it.

The Legend of Zelda A Link Between Worlds takes Link into a fully functional 3D world that not only pays homage to the games of yesterday but modernises the franchise into something thoroughly enjoyable and challenging to the gamer.

Simply put it’s one of the best games available on the 3DS or anywhere else, and it’s a must play.

A rare accomplishment that recaptures the spirit of classic Zelda. It takes the series into new territory much like its SNES counterpart did two decades ago, and it might be the most significant revision to Zelda’s structure since the landmark release of Ocarina of Time.

Classic gameplay, infused with fresh concepts and graced with stellar graphics and sound, make A Link Between Worlds one of the best games in the Zelda series and a must-own title this holiday.

Hiromasa Shikata assumes for the first time the challenge of directing a Zelda title. The result will please fans of both the classic action-0oriented Zelda and the puzzle oriented Zelda of Aonuma. Beautiful art direction, great music and the triumphant return of some classic features of the series make this Zelda one of the most memorable additions to the franchise.

A new Zelda that will set the standard for years to come.

A stellar game all the way around. A Link Between Worlds maximizes the concept of depth, from the 3D, to the 2D mechanic, to the characters. This game certainly fits well in the pantheon of amazing Zelda games.

The addition of the newer, free-er structure and the loss of a lot of the chaff from the post-Link-to-the-Past Zelda’s make the game a joy to play.

A Link Between Worlds is one of the, if not the best Zelda game yet. It takes the player seriously and leaves the innocent charm of the adventure intact at the same time. The game never lets the story get in the war of the adventure, and has a lot to discover for loyal fans. The 'rent an item'-system balances freedom and challenge perfectly.

At once accessible and incredibly deep. It displays a stunning fearlessness. Tweaking and completely redefining the basic concepts of the series might have been risk enough. But Nintendo has been shockingly cavalier with one of the most beloved games ever. The result is the sequel I never knew I wanted — and one of my favorite games of 2013.

A wonderful new take on the classic formula of the series that manages to deliver a familiar but at the same time fresh experience.

Although this a portable Zelda and a reimagination of an old game, A Link to the Past for SNES, it can be considered as a turning point in the franchise. A Link Between Worlds revitalizes the legend with new mechanics and innovative ideas. Simply legendary.

An instant classic that mixes the best of old-school Zeldas with some of the best Nintendo ideas of recent years. Brilliant level designs, great bosses and better in some new mechanics than its Nintendo DS predecessors.

A Link Between Worlds is a delightful adventure that hits every high note a 2D Zelda game has ever produced while creating many new hallmarks of its own.

Classic Zelda fare riddled with veins of audio-visual mastery and an inspired gameplay twist. The greatest Legend Of Zelda title of recent years.

Despite its many references and callbacks to the 1991 classic, A Link Between Worlds feels fresh. Not only does it feature some of the best dungeons and bosses in the series’ long history, but its stunning use of the system’s 3D effect should make anyone thinking about saving a few bucks by getting a Nintendo 2DS pause and reconsider.

I haven’t been so challenged by a Zelda since Ocarina of Time, and rarely have I been so consistently surprised by one.

A very good action RPG in a sandbox-like Hyrule. The game features a redefined equipment progression along with the nice flattening trick. It's a bit on the easy side, though. [Dec 2013]

A Link Between Worlds might be the best Zelda in recent years. By diverting from the standard formula by letting you rent items and even decide in which order you go through all of the dungeons, known elements finally feel fresh again.

Tricky dungeon design, intense boss battles and more open than expected: You have to fall in love with Link’s latest adventure.

Beautiful, fun, addictive and with a lot of care put into it, Link comes back with another great game for 3DS, closing an almost perfect year for the handheld. It goes back to its classic gameplay, but manages to add some new ideas. Sure, it could have been harder and longer, but we've enjoyed every second we've played.

Much is the same in A Link Between Worlds. Just like in A Link to the Past you follow Link from a birds-eye perspective in both light and dark worlds. But A Link Between Worlds is not merely a simple game of nostalgia but one that perfectly blends the new and old Zelda games. The result is one of the best games in the series.

Offers a solid adventure that should sate old and new gamers alike. [Feb 2014, p.74]

A Link Between Worlds is a beautiful experience: a fun retrospective of former Zelda glories while providing enough innovation to stand out on its own.

A Link Between Worlds has everything you expect from your beloved series, and in addition to it there is an open world with original ideas. The new Zelda game is tailored to the handheld, its gameplay is wonderful, it looks great, and it offers plenty of hours of remarkable entertainment that will kindly torture your brains. One of the best Nintendo 3DS titles indeed.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is easily the best handheld Zelda title since the days of the Game Boy Color, as well as being the strongest and most focused entry in the legendary series for easily the last ten years.

A Link Between Worlds boasts excellent characterisation and spacial design. Even a too-shallow difficulty curve can't hold this long awaited entry back.

It's probably the Zelda game with the lowest challenge, and one that borrows many ideas from past games, but at the same time it implements a series of innovations that prove the brilliance of this series designers.

Link Between Worlds ran the risk of being nothing more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting one of the most beloved games in the series, thankfully Nintendo have manage to couple the LTTP memories with some of the best, more unique design seen in the Zelda series in quite a while.

This is the return to form that long-time fans have been wishing for in the classic 2D format for the Zelda franchise for many years; it is the greatest entry in a very long time.

A Link Between Worlds is a delightful return to the classic game we loved. There aren’t a lot of improvements, but the additional world and new power are more than enough.

Despite lacking the challenge of other titles in the series, fans will appreciate the nostalgic music and graphics, and enjoy playing through the new dungeons and boss battles that can be easily tackled on the go.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is one of the most fun Zelda titles on the market, and it's easily the best handheld Zelda game since Link's Awakening.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is probably the biggest surprise of the year.

The most refreshing Zelda game in a long while, and yet additional proof that Nintendo knows how to utilize the 3DS like no one else. An essential game for the platform.

Take it as an old-fashioned, well-known fable. It might not make the grandest strides to evolve its formula, but for many, many players this will be a very pleasant homecoming, indeed.

Even the most stalwart, traditionalist series fan should be able to appreciate A Link Between Worlds for what it is: the most interesting new Zelda game since Wind Waker.

A Link Between Worlds is a remake and a sequel, then – both a tribute to a classic and a worthy successor in its own right. For all the changes, it’s still recognisably Zelda, and a legend this powerful can comfortably bear another retelling.

A Link Between Worlds is connected to the first major evolution of the series, introducing new ideas and a range of innovations that without diluting the identity and structure of the series, define a new experience.

A Link between words is a delightful trap - it starts beautifully revamping the A Link to The Past IP, then it shocks you with some lovely twists and saga firsts. It's a "back to the roots to look to the future" vibe which is hard to resist.

A successful mix between old and new makes this one of the most interesting Zelda-titles in years.

Like a journey between two parallel worlds, we feel continually tossed between a gameplay that is no more, and some contemporary mechanics. Maybe that's the true secret of Zelda: the game manages to turn itself into the allegory of its own game mechanics, without ever overdoing it, in a sober and elegant way.

A Link Between Worlds is not the game that will revolutionise the franchise. Quite the opposite, actually: it's a recognition of old habits and tradition from the series.

A link Between World is a junction point between past and future, one of the most beautiful chapters in the long lasting saga.

Quite honestly, I didn't realize Nintendo still knew how to make a Zelda game at this level of sheer quality. Though A Link Between Worlds may not become an enduring classic through the decades like A Link to the Past, it stands as a worthwhile successor and a modern masterpiece in its own right.

A Link Between Worlds gets fearless and distinguishes itself from the franchise’s history. On top of that, Link, Zelda, Rovio, and some of the best bosses Zelda fans will ever fight turn that history on its head, both narratively and mechanically.

It’s not just a nostalgic trip; A Link Between Worlds is an excellent game on its own. That said, this title functions most effectively as fan service to us old heads — the references to the source material are as numerous as they are captivating.

Zelda: A Link Between Worlds brings the outstanding gameplay of the SNES prequel to the 3DS in a well-crafted adventure that will give you a rush of nostalgia. With interesting new characters, atypical series gameplay elements, and fantastic 3D visuals, Link's next adventure is a must play.

One of the best Zelda games of all time and one which manages to quietly rewrite the series’ usual formula in some surprising, and surprisingly successful, ways.

I'm not normally one for 3D, but I wouldn't play A Link Between Worlds any other way.

A Link Between Worlds blends nostalgic familiarity with newfangled fantasy, introducing innovation with sacrificng any of what made its forebear great. It's an incredible adventure for fans old and new.

Series fans will not be disappointed, although it may not deviate from formula quite enough for some. In my estimation, the developers stuck to the right parts of series formula while innovating in important areas, such as non-linearity and user-friendly interface decisions.

A Link Between Worlds is a Zelda for people who have become disillusioned with Zelda over the years. It recalls the series' roots while also taking unique advantage of the 3DS hardware to create something that feels new. They may not make them exactly like they used to anymore, but Link Between Worlds shows that they still recognize what made them great in the first place.

Thanks to its new gimmicks, wonderful 3D-effect and fantastic soundtrack The Legend of Zelda: A Link between Worlds is a top-title and must own-game for the Nintendo 3DS.

After a deceiving The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword which left us with bad memories, Nintendo thought it was time to get back to basics with A Link Between Worlds, inspired by the majestic A Link to the Past. Twenty years later, the core fans will find themselves in known territory with the same map, the three collars to lift the legendary sword and the seven sages to rescue; giving the game the looks of a remake which it isn't. If the basics are there, the dev team took some freedom like the ability to complete dungeons in any order you want, without any impact on the story. Transform into a painting to walk on walls brings a fresh touch to an already very good gameplay, even if we can sense a lack of inspiration. Truly, the worst flaw of A Link Between Worlds is the casual turn taken by the series, which ruins the challenge. The enigmas are too easy, we have access to all the objects right at start, and the Fatustus are plentiful. Happily, the rich game content should seduce newcomers and franchise fans alike.

There’s no difficulty curve, there’s no personality to the characters, and it’s all over a little too quickly - but I'm damned if I didn’t enjoy every minute of it nonetheless.

Another terrific, if overly familiar, entry into the Zelda canon. It may not always match the epic sweep of its home console brethren —this is the leanest Zelda that I can remember— but its compact dungeons and fat-free exploration are perfect for a handheld. This is the best portable Zelda yet.

A Link Between Worlds has the ungraceful task of being the ‘sequel’ to one of the greatest Zelda games ever, A Link to The Past. It adds a few cool features, with the wall-drawings as highlight of the game. However, it doesn’t add too many new concepts to an old formula.

A Link Between Worlds takes some much-needed strides to shake things up. But it does so within a pair of worlds most fans know maybe a little too well, and you know what they say about familiarity. This is a good first step in Nintendo's journey to revitalize Zelda, but the next leg of the trip needs to be considerably bolder.

Neither a sequel nor a remake, A Link Between Worlds takes everything from the cult Super Nintendo Zelda game, but it does it in a beautiful way, with respect and fairness, offering a breathtaking adventure and ingenious dungeons. It doesn't exceed its model, but is still a must-have on 3DS.

A Link Between worlds is old fashioned Zelda fun with some clever new gimmicks, but it's too easy, straightforward, and familiar for a full recommendation.

It's often been said that A Link to the Past is a game set inside a puzzle. That means A Link Between Worlds is buried at least two layers deep, as it's a game set within A Link to the Past. But that's both the pleasure and the pain of Zelda, isn't it?

An odd mix of the familiar and the radical – one which, despite not having the makings of a classic Zelda adventure, does more than enough to cement itself as a masterful quest in its own right.

Nintendo’s nervousness around punishment, for fear of putting off newcomers, continues to undermine ALBW’s attempts at novelty.

A gorgeous sequel to ALTTP, but one that trades on nostalgia more than its own strengths. [Jan 2014, p.52]

A Link Between Worlds is a sentimental game that skates off its predecessor's successes, but is so good at doing so one hardly minds. A few neat new tricks and a beautiful visual style help make up for the game's more frustrating hurdles.