Aonuma: A Link to the Past 2 (Zelda 3DS) Will Have a Light and Dark World

The original A Link to the Past featured a Light and Dark world. Twilight Princess featured the normal Hyrule plus the Twilight Realm. According to a chat Eiji Aonuma held with CNET, A Link to the Past 2 will feature a very similar format:

But why A Link to the Past? Why not create a new world for Link to explore? Mr. Aonuma says that the 3DS has allowed for the revisiting of a top-down world and provided new ways for the player to interact with a Zelda game. It was the perfect chance to reopen A Link to the Past. And like some other Zelda games in the past, the 3DS sequel will alternate between a light and dark world.

So there you have it, there will be a Light and Dark world, just like in the game that takes place before it in the timeline. Eiji had more light to shed on Zelda 3DS:

So where does the idea of Link becoming a drawing originate? Veteran Zelda fans may remember Phantom Ganon, the protector of the Forest Temple in Ocarina of Time. During Link’s encounter, Phantom Ganon jumps into one of six identical paintings on a wall. Mr. Aonuma wondered, “what if Link could have the same power?”

During my interview, Mr. Aonuma repeatedly stressed the importance of the 3DS’ 3D effect and how it’s used in the new Zelda game. This feature has been a major topic of controversy surrounding the 3DS since its launch, and the consensus seems to be split down the middle in terms of preference. Some complain that it causes headaches while others maintain it’s the only way to truly enjoy 3DS games.

Regardless of how you’ll play the sequel to A Link to the Past — with or without the 3D slider on — Mr. Aonuma assures that you’ll enjoy the game. He and his team understand that not everyone likes to play in 3D. That said, if you don’t play it in 3D — even with the 3D slider ticked up just a bit — Mr. Aonuma says you’re not getting 100 percent of the intended experience.

3D also presents a challenge in advertising the game. A 3D gameplay video is available for download on the 3DS, but the effect can’t be conveyed in conventional advertising on the Web or TV. “I wish I could just tell people to buy it and definitely tell your friends!” said Mr. Aonuma.

Zelda 3DS arrives this holiday. What do you think of this new revelation? Excited? Or, just maybe, is it simply too much of the “same old” aspect from the game it is directly following?