The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds review

A Link Between Worlds takes first place because it combines the deepest single-player design on this list with a fair used price and no reliance on online features. Nintendo describes it as a new story in Hyrule that follows on from the 1992 Super NES game A Link to the Past. Its signature idea is that Link can merge into walls and walk along them like a painting, which turns the dungeons into fresh spatial puzzles. From a certain point the order of the dungeons is up to you, and Ravio's Shop lets you rent or buy key items such as the Hookshot, bow and hammer near the start. Nintendo also points out that the 3D effect makes floor levels clearer. It is a one-player game rated PEGI 7, so the April 2024 end of 3DS online play does not touch it. DKOldies lists a used cartridge at $49.99 before sales. The trade-off is that it offers nothing for groups.

Who it is for

3DS owners who want one essential single-player adventure

Price

Used 3DS cartridge from $49.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $49.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Link can merge into walls and move along them as a painting, which drives many of the puzzles
• After a certain point you pick the order of the dungeons yourself
• Ravio's Shop rents or sells items such as the Hookshot, bow and hammer early in the game
• Stereoscopic 3D makes floor heights in dungeons easier to read, per Nintendo
• Story set in Hyrule, following on from A Link to the Past

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Open dungeon order lets you play at your own pace
• Strength: Fully single player, so nothing was lost when 3DS online services ended
• Strength: $49.99 used is mid-range for a first-party Nintendo cartridge
• Weakness: Single player only
• Weakness: Costs $20 more used than Super Mario 3D Land or Mario Kart 7
• Weakness: No current re-release on another system is listed by Nintendo

Key facts

• Publisher: Nintendo
• EU release: November 22, 2013
• Players: 1
• Age rating: PEGI 7

Where it ranks

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is No. 1 in our Best 3DS Games of All Time verdict.