Zelda producer explains Link to the Past 2's odd painting power

A Link to the Past is getting a proper sequel on 3DS. And one of Link's new abilities is actually inspired by Ocarina of Time.

Andrew Yoon

May 3, 2013 1:15 PM

A Link to the Past is getting a proper sequel on 3DS. However, one new feature felt a bit out of place for the franchise. In the 3DS adventure, Link can attach to walls and become a flat 2D painting. While the power was used to good effect in the dungeon's puzzle designs, it didn't feel like it belonged in a Zelda game.

Producer Eiji Aonuma would disagree, however, explaining that the ability actually comes from a previous Zelda game: Ocarina of Time.

Speaking to Cnet, Aonuma explained that the inspiration for Link's new power came from the Phantom Ganon boss battle in the N64 classic. "What if Link could have the same power," he wondered.

Zelda games rarely get direct sequels, but Aonuma thought that the 3D screen native to the 3DS would allow for a "revisiting" of a top-down world with a new perspective. As such, "it was the perfect chance to reopen A Link to the Past," he explained.

Andrew Yoon

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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May 3, 2013 1:15 PM

Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Zelda producer explains Link to the Past 2's odd painting power.

A Link to the Past is getting a proper sequel on 3DS. And one of Link's new abilities is actually inspired by Ocarina of Time.
- Alexrose
  
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  May 4, 2013 7:28 AM
  
  I don't think it's out of place, or bad. I just think it'd be really hard to control. It'd have to be a powerup you get at the very, very end, otherwise it would be insanely hard to make sure that you can't just use it to bypass 99% of the puzzles in the game.
  - PlayfulPuppy
    
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    May 5, 2013 8:56 PM
    
    I dunno, Nintendo are normally exceptionally good at bounding their puzzles so they can only be solved the intended way. It wouldn't be hard in this case, just make it so that it only works on certain walls or have special barriers that flat Link can't pass.
- David Craddock
  
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  May 6, 2013 4:51 AM
  
  I don't get the "turning into a 2D painting doesn't fit in a Zelda game" argument. Sure it does. Zelda's a magical world; who's to say what can or can't happen there?
  
  Nintendo has also said, repeatedly, that they think up cool gameplay mechanics and then build the rest of the game around them. No Zelda game has turned out any less than awesome based on that formula. The last couple have been more hand-holdy and talky than the rest, but they were still great Zelda games.
  
  If a mechanic is fun, it belongs in a Zelda game.