They should be in 3D.

Zelda has always been one of the technological showcases for Nintendo. In that sense, as much as I like them for what they were, 2D Zelda is old. And it wouldn't have aged well, unlike 2D Mario.

Don't get me wrong, I love all Zelda games.

I'm glad so many people mentioned Link's Awakening, it's a game underrated mostly. Link's Awakening is a genius game, absolutely brilliant, if there were one handheld game it'd be playing 'til the end of days, that'd be it. The game ranks as my #2 favorite Zelda game, beating out all 3D ones bar one. Also it would be my #4 favorite game in general.

Besides the brilliance that is Link's Awakening, I think overall the 3D games are better. They're usually more rounded, have way better level design, more complicated combat systems and on top of that better stories (again, if Link's Awakening is not counted).

For those interested, here's my personal top all of the Zelda games. Zelda II: Adventure of Link and Four Swords Adventures not included because I've never completed the first and don't even have the second. It shows I don't really care for either release date or 2D/3D, though there are some consistencies to be found. For those a little less familiar, bold is 3D;

1. Ocarina of Time
2. Link's Awakening
3. Twilight Princess
4. Skyward Sword
5. Majora's Mask
6. A Link to the Past
7. Spirit Tracks
8. Wind Waker
9. Legend of Zelda (original)
10. Oracle of Ages
11. Oracle of Seasons
12. Phantom Hourglass
13. The Minish Cap
14. Four Swords

If I had to choose one format; 3D.

To me it seems like the only thing that 2D Zelda can do that 3D Zelda cannot is awake nostalgic feelings from the 2D days... I mean, the series is mainly based on a few points:

- Story
- Level design
- Gameplay

The story is not affected at all by the amount of dimensions, but the level design and gameplay is obviously drawn back by a Lot when removing a dimension. Look at the hookshot, for example. In a 2D world it would only be able to spin 360 degrees on a flat surface and that's it!

In the end it is all about personal preference though. Some people prefer simple gameplay and level design, others prefer it complex and more realistic. Pleasing both should be ideal.

Edit: The second image in the OP is not visible for me either.

i like it more in 3d. for a handheld i would prefer 2d but for zelda on a homeconsole, 3d please

I can't see it either.

3D Zelda for me.

I've changed the second picture, so everyone can see it now hopefully!

 Oh, I made a spelling error regarding SS: I meant to say the upgrading system wasN'T that linear ^^ But your overall feelings about 3D Zedal is that it's too linear? Have I understood that right?

works now thx

Playing dungeons out of order in the older games could break them. I know it did in Zelda 2. I got the keys from one dungeon them used them to open a door in another in the current dungeon, because I couldn't find the keys for that dungeon hidden in it. When I completed it, it turned to stone and there was no way to open all of the doors in the other dungeon since the key was still in the first one.

I had to restart.

It would be more correct to say that you can "enter" the dungeons out of order because a lot of them required things to complete that were simply not available yet. I see nothing wrong with adding structure to the games so that you don't get lost.

my pleasure :) I avoided this very picture before becuase I don't like that ign logo down right ^^