A Link Between Worlds: A Nostalgic Masterpiece Revisited in 2025

In 2025, I finally dove into The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds on my Nintendo 3DS, and what a ride it was! Released in 2013, this masterpiece had been sitting on my backlog far too long, and playing it now feels like both a nostalgic homecoming and a fresh adventure. As my fourth Zelda game following A Link to the Past, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom it’s a standout that reminded me why I fell in love with the series back in my college days playing A Link to the Past on SNES.

This year, I’ve been on a retro gaming kick, and A Link Between Worlds is my second completed game of 2025, right after GTA: San Andreas. Next up, I’m tackling Chrono Trigger on my newly acquired DSi LL, a console I bought just for that classic RPG. But let’s talk about A Link Between Worlds it’s a gem that lives up to its reputation as a spiritual successor to A Link to the Past, often dubbed “Link to the Past 2” by fans.

A Familiar Yet Fresh Adventure

The game’s map is strikingly similar to A Link to the Past, pulling me right back to my college dorm room. Yet, it’s no mere remake. A Link Between Worlds introduces a brilliant twist: instead of time travel, you shift between two parallel worlds a bright Hyrule and the darker Lorule. This mechanic isn’t just a gimmick; it’s the heart of the game’s puzzles and exploration. The ability to switch between 3D and 2D (merging into walls as a painting) is a stroke of genius, making dungeon puzzles creative and engaging. Nintendo clearly poured their budget into level design rather than a complex story, and it pays off.

The plot? Classic Zelda. Princess Zelda is kidnapped (again), and our hero, Link, grabs his sword and shield to save her and both worlds. The Triforce saga continues with a simple, familiar formula: hero rescues princess, saves kingdom. Nintendo’s been milking this for decades, and yet, it never gets old. I grew up with Mario and Zelda, and now my 8-year-old son is hooked, playing these games with the same joy I did. With the Nintendo Switch 2 just released, I bet the next seven years will bring more hero-and-princess tales, Mario, Zelda, you name it and fans like us will keep buying them.

Why It’s a Masterpiece

A Link Between Worlds shines in its dungeon design. Each dungeon feels unique, leveraging the 2D/3D switch and world-hopping mechanics to create puzzles that are challenging yet satisfying. The game respects your time, letting you tackle dungeons in any order with the innovative item rental system. It’s a perfect blend of nostalgia for A Link to the Past fans and modern polish for players coming from Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. The visuals pop on the 3DS, and the 3D effect enhances the experience without feeling forced.

Playing this in 2025, long after its 2013 release, I realized I’d missed a masterpiece back then. It’s a reminder of why I prioritize classic, highly rated games in my backlog, they hold up. The simplicity of the story lets the gameplay shine, and Nintendo’s knack for crafting timeless adventures is undeniable.

Final Thoughts

A Link Between Worlds is a must-play for Zelda fans, retro gamers, or anyone who loves clever game design. It’s a love letter to A Link to the Past while standing tall as its own masterpiece. As I move on to Chrono Trigger next, I’m grateful for this journey through Hyrule and Lorule. If you’re dusting off your 3DS or diving into your retro backlog, make this your next stop you won’t regret it. And who knows? Maybe my son and I will revisit it together in a few years, just like we share Mario and Zelda today.