For a whole generation of gamers, A Link to the Past was their first journey into Hyrule. It’s pixel-perfect, tightly designed, and endlessly replayable. Despite its status, some fans believe it’s time to bring it back. Not just a port, not just a new coat of paint — a full remake. Others, however, see that as sacrilege. So I asked the community: should Nintendo remake A Link to the Past? Or leave it untouched as the masterpiece it already is?

The Nostalgia Factor

For many fans, A Link to the Past isn’t just a game — it’s the Zelda game. The one that introduced them to Hyrule’s magic, to dungeon crawling, to the feeling of discovering secrets just off the beaten path. It’s remembered not just for its mechanics or map design, but for the way it made people feel. As one fan put it, “It was my first true Zelda love.” That kind of emotional connection is hard to replicate — and even harder to justify changing.

Unlike some older titles that struggle with modern expectations, A Link to the Past remains remarkably accessible. It’s tight, it’s fast, and it never wastes your time. One fan commented that it’s “not archaic or obtuse in any way,” and another even suggested it could release as an indie game today and still get glowing reviews. That’s not nostalgia talking — that’s smart design that has aged gracefully.

Some players flat-out don’t want a remake — not because they’re resistant to change, but because they believe A Link to the Past is already as good as it needs to be. They worry that a modern remake might sand down its rough edges, strip away its pixel charm, or reinterpret something sacred. As one fan put it, “It’s not a Disney remake — it’s art.” That sentiment echoes a larger fear: that in chasing graphical upgrades, we might lose the soul of what made the original so timeless.

What’s striking is how many fans talk about the experience of playing the game — not just what they did, but how it felt. That moment of discovering the Dark World for the first time. Finding hidden heart pieces in corners no one else thought to look. For older players, these aren’t just memories — they’re formative. A remake might recreate the mechanics, but could it ever recreate those feelings?

Desire for innovation

Not everyone wants to revisit the past. For a large group of fans, the idea of remaking A Link to the Past feels like Nintendo taking the easy route. They’ve seen too many remakes and remasters lately, and they’re craving something fresh. One comment summed it up bluntly: “Please do N-E-W stuff.” Another echoed that sentiment, saying they want new stories that strive to be as good as A Link to the Past, not stories that just try to recreate it.

There’s also a clear hunger for a return to linear, narrative-driven 3D Zelda adventures — something that’s been largely absent since Skyward Sword. One fan put it plainly: “We desperately need new 3D games with linear stories and real dungeons.” The message is loud and clear: while A Link to the Past is cherished, there’s a strong desire to see Zelda evolve forward, not circle back.

Some fans even feel a remake could be a wasted opportunity — not because they dislike the game, but because other Zelda titles need the spotlight more. The Oracle games come up repeatedly as being overdue for a modern update. One fan pointed out that the Oracles flesh out the Golden Goddesses more than any other game and expand the Zelda world with new nations like Holodrum and Labrynna. In their eyes, a remake of A Link to the Past would be nice — but remaking the Oracles would be important.

There’s a creative tension here: the Zelda series has one of the richest legacies in gaming, but many fans don’t want to dwell on that legacy forever. They’re asking Nintendo to take risks again — to surprise them, challenge them, and deliver something they’ve never seen before. A remake might be comforting, but a bold new Zelda could be unforgettable.

Yes, but only if…

While some fans say no outright, there’s a large and vocal group sitting in the middle — fans who would welcome a remake of A Link to the Past, but only if it brings something truly new to the table. These aren’t people asking for a prettier version with modern lighting. They’re asking for ambition. A full, ground-up reimagining. One fan said they’d “love a ground-up remake, not a fresh coat of paint.” Another suggested expanding the story, adding new dungeons, and even shifting the perspective into full 3D.

The Link’s Awakening remake on Switch serves as a warning for some of these players. A few fans outright despise its toy-like art style and have begged Nintendo not to repeat it. “I would hate it if it was in the Link’s Awakening remake artstyle,” said one user, while another added bluntly, “I don’t ever want to see it again.” For them, the look and feel of the remake is just as important as what’s added. If it’s going to be remade, it needs to feel rich, alive, and artistically serious — not like a diorama.

Some fans view a remake as a gateway — a way to bring A Link to the Past to a new generation of players who may never touch the original. As one commenter put it, “It could be a cool thing to introduce to new generations… I’d play it again, like they did with Link’s Awakening.” But even among these supporters, there’s caution. The remake has to respect the original’s legacy while being bold enough to stand on its own.

Dungeons of Infinity Rougelite

Nintendo could breathe fresh life into A Link to the Past not by remaking it, but by reimagining it in the style of a roguelite, taking cues from the fan-made Zelda: Dungeons of Infinity. Instead of the fixed overworld and carefully curated dungeons of the 1991 classic, this approach would present procedurally generated dungeon layouts, randomized enemy encounters, and shifting loot each run, ensuring that no two adventures feel the same. Permadeath—or a soft version of it—would add tension, forcing players to adapt on the fly while still rewarding long-term progression through unlockable gear, upgrades, or story elements.

This wouldn’t erase the charm of A Link to the Past—Nintendo could preserve its iconic art style, sound design, and core combat, keeping that instantly recognizable SNES-era atmosphere. But by injecting replayability through modern roguelike mechanics, Nintendo could create an endlessly engaging experience that encourages both short bursts of play and deep, extended sessions. Such a format would appeal to nostalgic fans who grew up with the original, while also introducing younger players to Zelda’s top-down roots in a format more aligned with today’s gaming habits.

By embracing this model, Nintendo could essentially turn A Link to the Past into a living, evolving adventure—one that pays homage to its legacy while feeling fresh every time you pick up the controller. It would not just celebrate the past, but reinvent it in a way only Nintendo’s polish and creative vision could deliver.

Confusion and division

The discussion around remaking A Link to the Past isn’t just divided — in some cases, it’s confused. Several fans pointed out that the game already has what could be considered a spiritual successor: A Link Between Worlds. That 3DS title reimagined the same overworld, added new mechanics like wall merging, and introduced fresh dungeons — all while preserving the top-down style. Some argue that remaking A Link to the Past again would feel redundant. “They already did — it’s called A Link Between Worlds,” one user quipped. Others echoed the sentiment, suggesting a remake might be more about nostalgia than necessity.

There’s also a strange overlap between reverence and disinterest. A few fans acknowledged A Link to the Past as a masterpiece — but still didn’t think it needed a remake. One described it as “nearly perfect”, another said “it’s good as it is”, and yet another admitted they wouldn’t mind a remake, but only after other titles get their moment. It’s as if the game is so good, it’s untouchable — and that paradoxically makes it less likely to be revisited.

The art style debate also adds to the muddle. While some fans want a remake that resembles Link’s Awakening on Switch, others passionately oppose that visual direction. A split is clearly visible: charming and cute versus dull and cheap. The same visual approach sparks excitement for some and dread for others — and there’s no consensus on what A Link to the Past should even look like if it were remade today.

All of this creates a unique tension. People are emotionally invested, but they don’t agree on what a remake should be, what it should look like, or even whether it’s needed at all. The legacy of A Link to the Past seems to inspire both admiration and hesitation — and in many cases, both feelings live side by side in the same players.

Business case and accessibility

Beyond nostalgia and fan debate, there’s a solid business case for remaking A Link to the Past. It’s one of the most iconic games in the Zelda franchise, but a surprising number of modern players have never actually played it. One commenter confessed they still hadn’t opened their SNES Mini and would immediately buy a remake if it came to Switch. That’s the reality for a lot of younger fans or latecomers to the series: they’ve heard about A Link to the Past, but haven’t experienced it — especially not in a form that feels modern or inviting.

Accessibility plays a major role here. Yes, A Link to the Past is on Nintendo Switch Online, and the GBA version with Four Swords has made appearances on modern platforms. But to casual players, those options often feel buried behind subscription models, dated visuals, or clunky controls. A remake would bring the game front and center, giving it the same spotlight that Link’s Awakening received — and with the right marketing, it could reach a whole new audience who might otherwise overlook it.

From Nintendo’s perspective, a remake is also a relatively safe bet. The structure is already proven, the story is beloved, and development could potentially be more efficient than building an entirely new Zelda from scratch. One fan noted that even if the remake “sucks,” the original is still available. That safety net — the idea that nothing is being lost — makes the project low-risk and potentially high-reward.

And let’s not forget the broader trend: Nintendo has seen massive commercial success with polished, stylized remakes. From Metroid: Samus Returns to Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver, these projects often introduce old IPs to new players while reengaging longtime fans. A Link to the Past is one of the few major Zelda titles that hasn’t yet had that modern treatment — and from a business standpoint, it almost feels inevitable.

My take

After reading through hundreds of comments and responses, I think what strikes me the most is how much A Link to the Past still means to people. Whether they want a remake or not, everyone seems to hold this game in high regard — and that says a lot. It’s not just a great Zelda game. For many, it is Zelda. And that’s why the question of a remake is so tricky: you’re not just updating code. You’re touching a memory, a legacy.

Personally, I think there’s room for a remake — but only if it’s done with care, intention, and ambition. It can’t just be a visual overhaul. It can’t feel like it was made to fill a slot in the release calendar. It needs to offer something meaningful: new content, refined storytelling, maybe even a bold shift in perspective. If Nintendo is going to revisit this classic, it has to be more than a tribute. It has to be a creative leap that stands alongside the original, not just beneath it.

At the same time, I totally understand the desire for something new. Zelda fans have been waiting a long time for the next big 3D adventure with structured dungeons and tighter storytelling. And there are other games — the Oracles, Zelda 1 and 2 — that arguably need remakes more urgently. So if Nintendo decides to skip A Link to the Past for now, I wouldn’t be disappointed. But if they do choose to remake it, I’d be watching closely — and probably buying it on day one.

So that’s my take. But now I want to hear yours — if Nintendo announced a full remake of A Link to the Past tomorrow, would you be excited… or skeptical?