Ocarina of Time is coming to the 3DS (obviously) which we're all (obviously) very excited about.
But what does this mean for 2D Zelda? Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks have managed a happy medium between 2D and 3D gameplay, but with Ocarina being a full 3D, does 2D Zelda have a future?
Granted, Mario's jump to 3D didn't mark the end of 2D Mario games, but we had to wait well over a decade for New Super Mario Bros.

I would guess so. There's not as much difference, gameplay wise between the 2D and 3D zelda's as there is between the 2D and 3D Mario's. It's really just a perspective change.

I think they came up with chibi/cartoony Link so that he'd have a place in 2D games if they ever wanted to do it again. I don't see why not - Nintendo's still making a lot of 2D games.

I'm pretty sure not all games on the 3DS will be 3D games, much as it might seem like a bad use of the new screen.

Actually, the gameplay, especially the combat, is very different in the 2D games. I much prefer the way you attack enemies in the 2D games just because it's simpler and easier to manage, whereas in the 3D games it's...different. It's kinda like you're fencing, especially if your opponent has a shield and sword. It's still alright, but too much work in my book.

I just hope we can keep 2d retro style games on handheld so we don't end up spending 50 bucks on stuff that doesn't need that extra processing power.(not to say I don't still want the stunning visuals & 3d the 3ds has to offer)

I dunno really. There are still far more 2D Zeldas than 3D ones

I hope they still make 2D Zeldas but I prefer the 3D games (with the only exception being Link's Awakening and Minish Cap compared to Ocarina of Time)

it's a remake of a 3D zelda on a 3D handheld -- i don't really see it holding much weight in terms of the handheld Zelda line. i'm pretty sure they could work some nice visual depth into the WW/PH/ST graphics and keep going with the series that way easily (but please, for the love of all that is holy, no more trains, Nintendo D: D: D: )

I would love another full 2D Zelda game. Nintendo hasn't made one in years.

It'd be nice, but I don't think they feel as epic as the 3D ones. Some of my favourites are 2D/handheld, even so I think the perspective change adds loads to the gameplay.
Still, a top down Zelda with some real 'depth' would be pretty cool

I do agree that the 3D Legend of Zelda games are far more enjoyable or epic feeling as opposed to the 2D games. However, I think you've really tapped into something when you said "a top down Zelda with some real 'depth'". I think that is precisely the kind of Zelda game we'll see on the Nintendo 3DS as the 3DS would indeed be capable of bringing out that depth.

In regards to the lovable Zelda line that Phantom Hourglass has spawned, I don't expect Nintendo to abandon those. I think we'll continue to see those as well.

I'd also like to see a Zelda game that would be more like Paper Mario but a cross between Paper Mario and a pop up book sort of like the way the book opens up in the intro opening of the Chowder cartoon on Cartoon Network.

Hey, some of us like the train!

Boats are way more fun!
(like the one in ffX)

Like me! D:

I'd personally love a new 2D Zelda in the same style as the Oracle games and Link's Awakening only with updated graphics etc (I guess like Minish Cap however I never personally felt that that lived up to the previous games). I never entirely found the boat/train mechanics all that enjoyable.
I want a 2D Zelda with a world I can fully explore, rather than just certain areas that are key to the plot and some extra places.

Certainly not me. I can appreciate people liking it and all that, but I found it slowed the gameplay to a boring crawl. The warp system was done horribly in my opinion, and certainly was the main factor in disposing of the game. Don't get me started on those demon trains. But to each his own. xD

Anyway, I can only hope this means 2D Zelda games will be fewer and further between on the handheld. Why resort to the same old gameplay that dominates the Zelda series (several more 2D games than 3D) when we could head into new territory that actually makes use of the 3DS' power? Besides, there has never been a portable 3D Zelda yet (save OoT which is a remake and isn't even released...), and it would be nice to go in a new direction.

Next, if it's 3D, that means we hopefully won't have to settle for touch screen combat. What's the fun in tapping or scribbling on an enemy? You could say "oh, buttons are an improvement to tapping?" but with buttons would hopefully come a fighting system with actual depth, ala Twilight Princess. Z-targeting, dodging, various sword techniques, shielding, etc. that the player does. Maybe the return of the magic meter and some spells! Love me some depth during a long adventure.

I'm not 'against' the idea of a 2D Zelda, but if it's going to get in the way of a vast 3D world with genuine combat, no thanks. I loved Wind Waker, despite all the tedious sailing, because of the huge world available to explore.

So did I, I just Wish they added more to it.

It felt like a future that we're going to see in The Zelda World.
I wonder if they will add Guns?

Obviously when they see how much the best Zelda game ever(Link's Awakening) is selling on the Virtual Console all Zeldas will revert to 2D.

hear, hear. :3