One of the most frequent criticisms lobbed at the Zelda series is that it’s always just the same game, over and over again - that people who love it were indoctrinated as children and are incapable of seeing it for what it is. I have heard this not just from people on the Internet, who are always ready with their reductive criticisms, but from friends, family, a couple of lovers (related: heated arguments about Zelda in bed are deeply unsexy). It always makes me ball my fists and breathe deeply.

Like most criticism that strikes a nerve, there is an element of truth to it. Zelda is a myth endlessly retold. The same basic story - the pursuit of the Triforce, the vanquishing of evil, the disappearance of a princess - guides them all, shepherding you gently between dungeons, towns and the open road. The same well-worn and well-loved toys are brought out of the attic every time: boomerang, bow, hookshot. The same locations, transformed by time and reinterpretation and technical advancement, keep reappearing. All Zelda games, alongside their many technical and creative innovations (revolutions, even), conform to this template. Except when they don’t.

The most recent one I was playing was A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS, so I'll probably give it another go.

I have started three different Zelda games and not got very far before giving up. I am obviously doing something wrong - please help!

So what about these Amiibos then? Has anyone thought about collecting them? I think they have the potential to be worth a bit of money in the future.

I am not a child, so no I will not be buying a those children's toys.

One of her great loves in life is dinosaurs if that's any use.

My sister is getting a 3DS for my niece for Christmas as an upgrade from her battered DS and I'm looking into games for her. If I was buying for myself this would be easy but I've no idea what the general gaming capabilities of an 11 year old child are so am struggling a bit. I keep thinking that even the staples like Mario Kart and Kirby might be a bit challenging for her

Can you get flashcarts or anything like that for the 3DS yet?

Wrong.

If anything she's too old. As with anything, you get better with experience, you don't suddenly become good just because you're older. (And also when young, you don't tend to not like stuff because you're not good at it anyway. Well, unless certain discouragements are offered.)

ps mimi, cna you open your animal crossing gates for us wednesday afternoon ?

you're allowed to do that to, obviously...

Can you get flashcarts or anything like that for the 3DS yet?

3D Outrun is out tomorrow.

Excite!

Are there any games that anyone can think of that only work on a 3DS equipped with two analogue sticks?

You mean the New 3DS with the nubbin, or the old 3DS with a Circle Pro adaptor? Pretty sure none of them require the latter, but Monster Hunter 4 needs the former.

The Wii U is a whole different kettle of problems. It is now rumored that Nintendo will abandon it in favor of mobile games, maybe as early as next year.

I think the rumours of its death have been greatly exaggerated. If you can pick the 32GB up for under £200 like I did then it's well worth every penny with the library it currently has, and there's still Zelda U and the new Starfox game to come out.