The 50 Best Nintendo Games Right Now (Wii U / 3DS)

Best Nintendo Games List – #6 The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Developer: Nintendo EAD Group No. 3

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: November 22, 2013

The excellence contained in the subtitle “A Link Between Worlds” is brilliant in its double entendre conception. You play as Link in a reimagined world similar to A Link to the Past, but with a host of new changes and an “underworld” known as Lorule. It is a mirror, darkened copy of Hyrule, and carries its own parallel reality hidden within the cracks of Hyrule. It is here that Link must venture out to bring peace once again.

An interesting departure comes in the item management difference. Important progression-withholding items are rented (or, for a hefty fee later in the game, sold) by Ravio in his weapon shop. This gives the player unprecedented freedom in exploration, setting up dungeon exploration and defeat in the order to the player’s choosing. That unprecedented freedom, the addition of wall-merging exploration, the familiar combat system plus an enchanting story gives us the best Zelda game in years.

Next: #5 Pokemon X & Y