With news of Nintendo’s upcoming 3-d handheld gaming system, the Nintendo 3DS, chatter has already began on how this technology could be utilized in the Legend of Zelda universe. The possibilities are unlimited, but here are some concepts that I think would deepen the gaming experience and add to the series.
1. In Majora’s Mask Link took about the task of fighting Twinmold in the final dungeon. Imagine putting such a battle into 3-d now. Instead of simply having them go underground and reappear out of the ground, think of having them appear to come from the screen in 3-d and that being the only instance Link can actually inflict damage upon them. It will be like you are actually there.
2. Not to knock the difficulty of the Zelda games, but even when Link is under heavy attack, the gamer usually does not feel much stress or tension. You may see an occasional arrow fly on by, way off target. And when every DS game has featured Link’s cartoon graphics, the pressure just is not on. Now even if Nintendo were to continue Toon Link, imagine how much more exciting the game could be and how much more epic large fights could be if enemy arrows, Zora’s rocks, or Deku nuts that missed Link actually were sent passed Link in 3-d towards the gamer. It would make us seem like this is serious and Link is actually on an epic adventure rather than a walk in the park.
3. Ever since Link’s Awakening, it seems the majority of the Zelda games has included a fishing mini-game of some sort. Put that into 3-d and you have the makings of an addicting side quest. When a fish is hauled in it could fly back in 3-d along with the motion of the rod, or if it gets away the splashing water could come towards the player.
Here are a few thoughts on how the 3-d technology could be utilized for the Legend of Zelda series. Please comment or join the forums to share your ideas.
