The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (ゼルダの伝説 神々のトライフォース2) is an upcoming installment of the Legend of Zelda series for the Nintendo 3DS, scheduled for release on an as of yet announced date during the winter season of 2013. Taking place six generations after The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in the same world as its predecessor, it utilizes similar world and character design and items, though it features all-new dungeons. In terms of gameplay, it is somewhat reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.

It has been hinted that the game will have a connection with Majora's Mask.

Gameplay
In the first footage to be released, Link is seen using the Magic Hammer to depress Bad Moles and using them as a springboard. Actual usage of the Magic Hammer depletes an amount from a purple meter somewhat reminiscent of the Magic Meter as well as use of the Bow, indicating that it might be similar to the Stamina Gauge in terms of use. This meter appears to replenish itself over time. Link is also able to flatten himself against a wall, essentially rendering him a two-dimensional character. This allows him to move along walls to reach areas he would not be able to otherwise. Performing this action also depletes the purple meter. Additionally, the footage shows Link fighting Buzzblobs without getting shocked.

Link is also able to enter an alternate world, Lorule. This world mirrors Hyrule and has its own princess and castle. An item shop run by Ravio was also shown; in it, Link can purchase items such as the Ice Rod, Hookshot, and Boomerang. This allows Link to take on the game's dungeons in any order.

Players will also be able to upgrade owned weapons by seeking out young creatures known as Maimai. Upon returning these baby Maimai to their meother, she will give the player the option to upgrade a weapon.

Story
Details regarding The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between World's story remain scarce. The game takes place six generations after the events in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The game's main antagonist is a suspicious sorcerer-like character named Yuga. Aonuma indicates that Yuga's interactions with Hyrule's Princess Zelda and Lorule's Princess Hilda are at the center of the story's narrative. Yuga has been using sorcery to turn Hyrule and Lorule's people into cave paintings which, as mentioned above, serves as one of the game's key mechanics.