Zelda: A Link Between Worlds changed to be playable on 2DS

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds was designed for 3D, but producer Eiji Aonuma had to think through how to make it work on the 2DS as well.

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The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is built to take advantage of the 3DS, especially in how it presents the overhead perspective with real depth. But then Nintendo had to go and think up the 2DS--a 3DS system without a 3D screen--forcing producer Eiji Aonuma figure out how to make it work on the platform.

"It's not that you can't play it with 2D, it's just that it becomes clearer when you have the 3D effect on," Aonuma told GameSpot. "We found out about the 2DS during development, not before, and we also made changes so that we were sure that you could still play and solve the puzzles only with 2D. It's definitely still playable in 2D!"

That said, if you haven't been swayed by the 3D effect in past 3DS games, Aonuma still wants you to give it a try with this one. He notes a few key features that he hopes will make the perspective more appealing.

"A Link Between Worlds is being developed with 60 frames per second, and previous Zelda titles were about half that, about 30fps," he said. "The reason for this is because the 3D effect is much more stable with a higher frame rate, with the 60FPS. If it's lower than it's sometimes hard for your eyes to focus on the appropriate image. We think we've created a game that even those who found it difficult previously to see the 3D effect would be able to see it better and enjoy it more with this title."

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 18, 2013 11:30 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Zelda: A Link Between Worlds changed to be playable on 2DS.

    The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds was designed for 3D, but producer Eiji Aonuma had to think through how to make it work on the 2DS as well.

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      October 18, 2013 11:40 AM

      Soooo basically they were planning on making an unique 3D puzzle experience and because of the 2DS now it is just a normal puzzle experience...

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      October 18, 2013 11:44 AM

      Derp.

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      October 18, 2013 11:47 AM

      Lame.

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      October 18, 2013 11:51 AM

      As someone who has 3D on 99% of the time, this sucks. I was worried this would happen when the 2DS was announced.

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      October 18, 2013 12:01 PM

      60 FPS Zelda! About damn time!

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        October 18, 2013 12:12 PM

        Interesting, I didn't know about the 3d effect being tied to framerate... but it makes sense. I'm getting pretty excited for this game.

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          October 21, 2013 9:21 AM

          yah in Pokemon if you have 3D turned on it's cuts the framerate in half... I usually keep 3D turned off as it gets too distracting with the lower framerate in battles.

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      October 18, 2013 12:05 PM

      Fuck that

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      October 18, 2013 12:06 PM

      Well that solidifies my idea to sell my xl and iPad mini for the next full size iPad. I play way more on the iPad anyway.

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        October 18, 2013 12:13 PM

        WHAT?! How could this change your mind?

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          October 18, 2013 12:19 PM

          I played with the 3D maxed all day. Mario 3D land was at its best when 3D puzzle/platforming was front and center. My interest in the system was already waning and now that 3D is going to get nerfed for the the 2DS I might as well upgrade the system I use more often anyway.

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            October 18, 2013 1:07 PM

            So... they didn't say they took 3D out of the game, they just made sure it was possible to solve puzzles without it on. Even Mario 3D was possible without 3D... it definitely was easier to play with it though. Actually, I think what he's saying is that this game was even MORE 3D focused than Mario because apparently there were parts you couldn't easily complete without 3D on. So if they tone down a couple parts a little bit... it could still be one of the more 3D focused games on the system.

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        October 18, 2013 12:14 PM

        Your logic is flawless

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          October 18, 2013 12:21 PM

          What are you getting at? I love the iPad mini for games, but I want a bigger screen for board game goodness and hopefully the next one has a faster chip too. With Bluetooth controllers coming out for iOS soon, it could easily be my only platform for gaming on the go.

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        October 18, 2013 12:25 PM

        Those two products aren't even in the same market for me.

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        October 19, 2013 8:47 AM

        The next mustang is too slow so I'm selling my Honda civic for a speed boat.

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      October 18, 2013 12:15 PM

      [deleted]

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        October 18, 2013 12:20 PM

        I don't understand how anything in this "article" would lessen your desire to get the game.

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          October 18, 2013 12:53 PM

          "Lessen your desire" is fair, I think. "Killing the desire" is a little harsh at this point. More information is clearly required, but when they're now saying they are making changes in order for it to be playable on the 2DS does make you wonder what sacrifices they are making to the 3D "version"

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            October 18, 2013 1:06 PM

            [deleted]

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              October 18, 2013 1:19 PM

              You mean the ability to rent items? What don't you like about that?

              One very common complaint is how tired the Zelda formula has been getting for people, and because of that they added in a way to do dungeons out of order via renting the item. I think it's really silly to hate on it before playing it.

              I honestly didn't realize they were planning on having 3D puzzles prior to this article, so while it's kinda lame that we won't see them it's not necessarily a huge deal. I mean aren't 90% of the 3D effects in 3DS games purely cosmetic anyways?

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              October 18, 2013 2:05 PM

              Both things are troubling to me as well, but I'm still at a "wait and see" perspective.

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        October 20, 2013 1:52 AM

        shut up abrasion

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      October 18, 2013 12:16 PM

      I dig the higher FPS. The higher framerate in Fire Emblem made the 3D effects in that game so much easier on my eyes.

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      October 18, 2013 1:30 PM

      I am confused. They clearly state that the 3d experience is a big part of this game, only that now it is also completely playable in 2d (even if it's less ideal), and now people are bitching that the 3d effects are gone. That last part didn't appear once in this article.

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        October 18, 2013 2:36 PM

        People psych themselves out easily or really wanted an easy out.

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        October 18, 2013 2:54 PM

        They originally had puzzles and challenges that took advantage of the 3D effect, now they've altered them to work on the 2DS. That's what we have problem with. I know that when I purchased the 3DS, I was expecting some Nintendo games to incorporate new gameplay that relies on the perception of depth.

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        October 18, 2013 3:49 PM

        All 3DS games are required to be playable in 2D, it's been this way from Day 1. Not sure why this is a big deal.

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      October 18, 2013 3:16 PM

      Don't really care, personally. I play all 3DS games in 2D anyway since I am physically incapable of viewing 3D anyway. It made 3D Land a bitch to play, though. This actually makes me want this game even more so I don't have to worry if I will have trouble playing this game or not. Yea, it may sound selfish, but I'm pretty sure every 3DS game is supposed to be fully playable in 2D anyway so I don't see what the big deal is.

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      October 19, 2013 3:55 AM

      This changes nothing, Shack. All 3DS games have to be playable and fun in 2D because not all players use or are capable of seeing 3D graphics. I can't imagine the process of prepping LttP 2 for play on 2DS was too different from how they would have made sure it was fun for players who chose not to turn on 3D on a 3DS/XL.

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