View source for The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

<section begin=infobox />{{Infobox|game
| name		= ''A Link Between Worlds''
| logo		= [[File:A Link Between Worlds Logo.png]]
| boxart	= [[File:A-Link-Between-Worlds-Box-Art.jpg|600px]]
| related	= ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''<br/>[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (GBA)|''A Link to the Past'' (GBA)]]<br/>''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes|Tri Force Heroes]]''
| release [[Nintendo 3DS]]	= 
{{Region|na|y=2013|m=11|d=22}}{{Ref|name=na-tweet|[https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/372742703701696512/photo/1 Nintendo of America Tweet]}}{{Ref|name=NoA-page|[https://web.archive.org/web/20160321145930/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z6ft-sYy0pxxdkRc-dIxtTH7XHqWVLl9 Nintendo of America Game Page]}}
{{Region|eu|y=2013|m=11|d=22}}{{Ref|source=[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-3DS/The-Legend-of-Zelda-A-Link-Between-Worlds-765381.html A Link Between Worlds UK Official Site]}}
{{Region|au|y=2013|m=11|d=23}}{{Ref|source=[https://www.nintendo.com.au/games/nintendo-3ds/the-legend-of-zelda-a-link-between-worlds A Link Between Worlds Australia Official Site]}}
{{Region|jp|y=2013|m=12|d=26}}{{Ref|source=[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/bzlj/index.html Triforce of the Gods 2 Official Site (Japan)]}}
{{Region|kr|y=2014|m=06|d=21}}{{Ref|source=[https://nintendo.co.kr/3DS/software/bzlj/index.html Triforce of the Gods 2 Official Site (Korea)]}}
{{Region|eu|y=2015|m=10|d=16}} (Nintendo Selects){{Ref|source=[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/News/2015/September/Selection-of-Nintendo-3DS-games-to-join-Nintendo-Selects-value-range-on-October-16th-1053681.html Nintendo UK]}}
| developer	= [[Nintendo EAD]]
| publisher	= [[Nintendo]]
| producer	= [[Eiji Aonuma]]
| walkthrough	= [[zd:a-link-between-worlds-walkthrough|Text Walkthrough]]
| guides	= [[A Link Between Worlds Bosses|Bosses]]<br/>[[A Link Between Worlds Bottles|Bottles]]<br/>[[A Link Between Worlds Characters|Characters]]<br/>[[A Link Between Worlds Enemies|Enemies]]<br/>[[A Link Between Worlds Maiamai Locations|Maiamais]]<br/>[[A Link Between Worlds Master Ore Locations|Master Ore]]<br/>[[A Link Between Worlds Heart Pieces|Pieces of Heart]]<br/>[[A Link Between Worlds Item Upgrades|Upgrades]]
}}<section end=infobox />

{{ZD|[[zd:a-link-between-worlds-walkthrough|''A Link Between Worlds'' Walkthrough]]}}

'''''The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds'' ({{Tt|Zeruda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Toraifōsu 2|ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース2}} — ''The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods 2'')'''{{Ref|name=jp-tweet|[https://twitter.com/Nintendo/status/324531424780754945 Nintendo Japan tweet]|『ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース2』を、ニンテンドー3DS向けに開発中。2014年初頭発売予定。 (''The Legend of Zelda: Triforce of the Gods 2'' under development for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. Will be released early 2014.)}}{{Ref|name=jp-e3-detail|[https://web.archive.org/web/20150519053045/http://www.nintendo.co.jp:80/software_lineup/software/zelda2/index.html Japanese E3 page]}} is a game for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in the style of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''. Development started in early 2011,{{Ref|name=mygames|[[Interview:MyGames March 11th 2011|MyGames]], March 11th, 2011}}{{Ref|name=gameblog-2011|[[Interview:GameBlog.fr April 21st 2011|Gameblog.fr]], April 21, 2011|I am currently very busy producing a new Zelda, a new Mario and a new Mario Kart on 3DS and a new Pikmin.|[[Shigeru Miyamoto]]}} and the game was released on November 22, 2013, just one month after ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD|The Wind Waker HD]]''.{{Ref|name=na-tweet}}{{Ref|name=NoA-page}} The game was also released in the [[A Link Between Worlds 3DS XL Limited Edition Bundle]] that included a limited edition gold Nintendo 3DS XL system with a [[Triforce]] on the top and a Black Triforce on the bottom; included with the purchase was a digital copy of ''A Link Between Worlds''. The 3DS StreetPass feature was used to its full potential in this game. If [[Link (A Link Between Worlds)|Link]] happens to walk by someone who has played the game, a version of their character will be sent over to Link's game and turn into a [[Shadow Link]]. Link can then fight this Shadow Link for a bounty, which is essentially a bag of rupees determined by the player when the 3DS StreetPass was being set up.

The game uses a top-down perspective and an art style similar to ''A Link to the Past''. It takes advantage of the 3DS to add vertical motion as an important element of the gameplay. In contrast, it also allows Link to become a flat image on a wall to travel in a 2D space a la [[Wikipedia:Flatland|Flatland]]. The bracelet seen on Link's wrist in the promotional artwork for ''A Link Between Worlds'' was confirmed to tie into the image-on-a-wall ability.{{Ref|[https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/11/three-things-we-learned-about-zelda-a-link-between-worlds Eiji Aonuma Interview}} The game also changes up the requirement to complete dungeons in a specific order, features a hint system a la ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'' in place of helpful companions, and introduces the ability to rent or purchase an item.

As of March 31, 2014, ''A Link Between Worlds'' has sold more than two million copies.{{Ref|https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2014/140507e.pdf||Nintendo Financial Report}} On October 16, 2015, the game was re-released in Europe as a Nintendo Selects title.

==Prologue==
"There is a legend oft told in Hyrule Kingdom. It is the legend of the Triforce, once kept within Hyrule itself. Said to be a gift of the gods, the Triforce could grant a wish of all those who touched it. So of course, many wanted to get their hands on it. Wars were fought for the Triforce. The royal family summoned the Seven Sages, who sealed the Triforce in the Sacred Realm. But a thief of notorious repute broke into the Sacred Realm and claimed the Triforce. With its power, he became the Demon King Ganon, who sought to dominate all Hyrule.

But just as Ganon had the kingdom in his evil clutches...a legendary hero answered the call of Hyrule's princess. And this hero, wielding the Master Sword, took up a quest to challenge Ganon's might. He joined with the descendants of the Seven Sages to seal the Demon King in darkness. The Triforce was divided into three—its tempting power out of any one person's reach. One part stayed with the royal family, while another slipped into Ganon's possession. Legend says that the third part found its home in the heart of the hero eternal... And while legends come to us from the distant past, others have yet to be written..."

(Later on in the game, the prologue is expanded)

"This gift from the gods, Hyrule's greatest treasure, will grant the wish of any mortal who touches it. The Triforce once stoked greed in the hearts of men. A legendary war was fought to keep it out of evil hands.

To end the war for the Triforce, the royal family decided to hide it in the Sacred Realm. They summoned the Seven Sages of legend, who used their power to seal the Triforce away.

The Demon King Ganon was once just a thief—until the man broke into the Sacred Realm. There he stole the Triforce and transformed himself. Then he took his evil campaign back to Hyrule.

A hero of legend arose from humble beginnings, awoken to his purpose by a princess of Hyrule. With the Master Sword, the blade of evil's bane, he sought the descendants of the Seven Sages. Together they defeated the Demon King Ganon—and sealed him away in darkness.

The Triforce was split into three pieces, separated forever. One piece remains with the royal family. Another piece has fallen into the hands of Ganon, sealed away with him. The third piece of the Triforce has vanished, though legend says it is hidden in the spirit of a true hero. It slumbers now somewhere in Hyrule—waiting for the time when the world needs a new hero."

==Gameplay==
''A Link Between Worlds'' added a brand new gameplay mechanic to ''The Legend of Zelda'' series with the [[merge|wall merging]] mechanic. This combines top-down and side-scrolling gameplay, creating never-before-seen puzzle opportunities. This allows Link to reach certain areas in dungeons and the overworld by merging into a wall and safely crossing hazards below.

==Setting==
Using the same overworld as ''A Link to the Past'', this game presents a story that occurs hundreds of years after the events of the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] title.{{Ref|[[Interview:Joystiq April 17th 2013|Joystiq]], April 17, 2013.|From a story perspective there are connections, so it does fall after ''A Link to the Past''. And it's set in the same world[...]|[[Bill Trinen]]}} It takes place in both [[Hyrule]] as well as the kingdom of [[Lorule]], a corrupted, parallel reality version of Hyrule.

==Development==
[[File:Link-Between-Worlds-Official-Art.png|left|thumb|Early promotional artwork for ''A Link Between Worlds'']]
At the [[The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary|25th Anniversary]] Symphony Concert in London, Aonuma told the Portuguese e-zine MyGames{{Ref|[[Interview:MyGames March 11th 2011|MyGames]], March 11th, 2011}} that he was currently working on a new ''Zelda'' title for the 3DS, and that it would be an original title, not a remake. [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] mentioned a "new ''Zelda''" he was producing in April 2011.{{Ref|name=gameblog-2011}} Shortly afterward, he expressed interest in seeing the world of ''A Link to the Past'' with a layered 3D effect,{{Ref|[[Interview:Observer April 30th 2011|The Observer]], April 30th, 2011|''The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past'' could be one [adaptation of an older Nintendo game for the 3DS console]. I think it would be good to see that world with a layered 3D effect.}} which suggests that the idea existed at that time but hadn't yet found its way into the development of ''Zelda'' 3DS. However, this likely happened shortly afterward, since [[Eiji Aonuma]] was able to give a specific hint that "having 3D will mean something,"{{Ref|[[Interview:Game Informer October 2011|Game Informer]], October 2011|I'll give you one hint, but maybe you won't understand it.  It will be a game in which having 3D will mean something.|[[Eiji Aonuma]]}} showing that a solid vision of the game was in place. Miyamoto further teased ''A Link to the Past'' as a base for a new game in 2012:
{{Quote|I think the answer would be the same if we're talking about just porting, but I think I'd be even more interested in creating something new maybe based on, or starting from, A Link To The Past. I think it's important to bring some really new software.|Miyamoto{{Ref|[[Interview:Edge April 12th 2012|Edge]], April 12th, 2012}}}}

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==Characters==

{{Galbox|A Link Between Worlds Characters}}

==Dungeons==
''A Link Between Worlds'' features a total of 12 dungeons throughout both [[Hyrule]] and [[Lorule]]. There are also a number of [[A Link Between Worlds Side Dungeons|side dungeons]]. ''A Link Between Worlds'' also has a brand new mechanic to the ''Zelda'' series that allows the player to tackle the Lorule dungeons in nearly any order they choose. However, the [[Thieves' Hideout]] must be completed before the [[Desert Palace (A Link Between Worlds)|Desert Palace]], as the [[Sand Rod]] is required to gain entrance to the Desert Palace.

{{Galbox|A Link Between Worlds Dungeons}}

==Items==
''A Link Between Worlds'' introduced a new mechanic where instead of earning each item by going through dungeons, [[Link (A Link Between Worlds)|Link]] has to either rent or buy each item from a "wandering merchant" named [[Ravio]]. Nearly every one of Ravio's items is available to Link from almost the beginning of the game, with the exclusion of the [[Sand Rod]], which is accessible after rescuing [[Osfala]] from the [[Thieves' Hideout]].
{{Galbox|A Link Between Worlds Items}}

==Bosses and Mini-Bosses==
''A Link Between Worlds'' has bosses that are very similar in appearance and name to the bosses in {{Zelda|lttp|l}}.
{{Galbox|A Link Between Worlds Bosses}}

==Gallery==
{{main|Gallery:A Link Between Worlds}}
{{see also|Gallery:A Link Between Worlds Characters}}
<gallery>
File:Link-Lorule-Hyrule.png|Artwork of [[Hyrule]] and [[Lorule]]
File:The-Master-Sword-Link-Between-Worlds.jpg|The [[Master Sword]]
File:Link-Dungeon-Crawling.jpg|Link dungeon crawling
File:Link-Fighting-Yuga.jpg|[[Link (A Link Between Worlds)|Link]] fighting [[Yuga]]
File:ALBW-Link-Drawing.png|[[Link (A Link Between Worlds)|Link]]
File:Hilda.completestaff.png|[[Hilda]]
File:ALBW-Zelda-Artwork.png|[[Zelda (A Link Between Worlds)|Princess Zelda]]
File:Ravio.png|[[Ravio]]
File:Yuga.png|[[Yuga]]
</gallery>

===Alternate box art===
<gallery>
File:Lbwalt.jpg|Alternate box art
File:Lbwselects.jpg|European Nintendo Selects box art
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
{{main|:Category:A Link Between Worlds Screenshot Files}}
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File:3DS Zelda scrn01 E3.png
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</gallery>

===Videos===
{{Youtube|qAluniNRibs|300px|E3 2013 Reveal Trailer}}
{{Youtube|IcZ8wnPWb4s|300px|[[Nintendo Direct]] announcement featuring<br/>both 3D and 2D platforming}}
{{Youtube|U2TtJy9b3xo|300px|August [[Nintendo Direct]]}}
{{Youtube|PL31W_K6qTXThiyCXZajKfAvUEmxvlI4Dy|300|Zelda Dungeon: "Let's Play A Link Between Worlds"}}
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{{References}}

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