Aonuma explains why The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds locks its Hero mode

Eiji Aonuma recently explained why A Link Between Worlds has a locked Hero mode:

“With The Wind Waker HD we naturally expected many people to have played the previous version, so we made the harder Hero mode available from the beginning. However, although it is a sequel, this time we have a brand new game. We felt that it was more suitable to have the players first enjoy the game at an appropriate difficulty level and then let them try a harder challenge.”