OK how about equipment items (as in the 'hera hearts') that allow you to gain extra HP in place of having an item equipped like bow/bomb/horse what have you? This way, the gain would be palpable, it would give a certain type of edge for players, but then they would not be able to use another item while it was in use? or at least have it take up a slot?
What I have been waiting on, well, forever, is the hammer.
There are places to use the hammer (and strength glove) in game already, but nowhere to find said items?
Ultimately I feel that the world needs expanding, and not necessarily more items/features in doing so immediately... just more places with things to do/explore...
AFTER completing the stuff we already can see (crane game, zorbi cave, banon's crypt, swamp tunnel)