Nintendo to release a new version of 'The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past' for the 3DS

It was announced today that there will be a new game in the Zelda series created for the 3DS, but in a surprising twist, it will be set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

In the two decades since the original's release on the Super Nintendo, the 1992 game has continued to garner critical acclaim and was last year named as IGN's best SNES game of all time.

The new 3DS version will apparently have a similar look and feel to the original, but with a sense of height and volume added to the top-down perspective. This is reportedly so developers will be able to “utilise height differences...as a puzzle solving mechanic”.

In addition there will be a new storyline and dungeons, but the most prominent feature introduced will see Link become a drawing and have the ability to move within walls.

Few could fault the tenderly crafted design and gameplay of the original, and devoted fans will be hoping that the 3DS version doesn't let down its predecessor.

Nintendo said the game will be released this holiday season.

Other announcements included the news that Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D will be made available in a handheld update of the original game for Wii, and a new Yoshi’s Island game will be released on the 3DS, which will be the third instalment in the series.