Editorial: Majora’s Mask 3D will return you to a Nintendo world you don’t see anymore
So by now, reviews of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D should be hitting the internet. Unfortunately we can’t bring a review of the game, we can’t tell you how the upgraded graphics are, how the presentation is enhanced by the 3D effect or even how the New 3DS allows for full 3D camera support. We can’t detail the changes to the game’s controls or the actual changes to the game.
However, Majora’s Mask 3D is more than just those things, those things make up how the game looks and plays but it isn’t the soul of the game, the heart of Majora’s Mask is something that shouldn’t be overlooked, not again some nearly 15 years later. On paper, the game seems like the ultimate rushed sequel, but it’s not.
There are no story spoilers in this article.
Majora’s Mask did something with the The Legend of Zelda series that was never done before and has never been done again – in fact no other game has even tried to copy it. Upon reaching Termina with a terrible fate, Link finds out the there’s three days left in this world – the moon is coming down and there’s nothing no one can do to stop it. At least until you come along.
Link alongside yourself will soon learn that the world you’ve stumbled (fallen) into is familiar, but not the same. These faces you have seen before but like any alternate reality, things just aren’t right and you’re going to have to relearn everything about these people. Link also has to fight with his own problems at the same time; he’s had his horse stolen while on a quest to search for a missing friend, he’s had all his items taken and even his identity.
As you fight to save the residents of Termina over the three day period you’ll learn to know more about them, more than any other NPC in a Zelda game previously. These aren’t just people you talk to and learn things from, you get to know them. Their stories will intertwine and link up along the way. These people know the world is ending, they’re watching it crawl inch by inch to them but they have their own problems to wrap up before that.
You’re going to share in their fate, you might as well get to know them. You will care for these people more than you ever would Princess Zelda, after all the princess always gets saved – just the name means you know she’s never in any real danger.
These days, games are released all the time that preach to you a story or ideal, that make you feel and pause for thought. In 2000, games really didn’t do that, games were less serious than they are now, deep and dark themes weren’t tackled so readily – those kinds of games had to hide it. Majora’s Mask was one of those games, a game with layers.
We’ll get technical in our full review of Majora’s Mask 3D as soon as we can. However, before the rush of reviews hit the internet that focus solely on the ‘new’ parts of the game only, I thought the actual heart of the game was worth discussing. Before it is overlooked once again.
If only Nintendo could let their teams take the big franchises off on a tangent like this again, that would be amazing to see.
My favourite.
It released with the sort of fanfare an N64 game got at the time, “really good, for a Nintendo game, but here is a truckload of caveats….”
The 3D Zeldas aren’t open world but were described as such, starting with these ones. So, MM wasn’t viewed as ‘the superior sequel’ but OoT was the chain around this game’s neck. Too similar, too different. And so on.
On its own, and with this re-do, it’s allowed to shine. Zelda plots, Nintendo narratives in general, get pilloried but this game’s story is worthy of praise. It’s about how Link – no, you the player – can make a difference in many different small ways, rather than one big major one.
Are you playing it for the first time?
Each Mask is a party member or quest for a crew member that will come to you for some sort of assistance. You may not get buffs from all of them but you’ll make a difference to these characters you encounter.
Are there any new features for the New Nintendo 3DS version?
This was really poorly written and difficult to read.
Thanks for the really constructive feedback.
The writing quality is fine – there are just a few spelling/grammatical errors. The biggest offender is in the second-to-last paragraph:
“I thought it prudent to write something to ‘covert’ the doubters and to remind ‘those who’ve played it before the game of how outside the world ending and that quest’.”
Doesn’t quite make sense.
Beyond that, though, I enjoyed the article quite a bit =)
I’m quite happy to be called out on my spelling and/or grammar, but if people are going to be a dick about it well then…
Thanks OnliLink for being honest, it’s the only way we can all improve.
Also what is that postie doing.
Yeah Im interested in this too, I read a while back that new nintendo 3ds owners would get some bonuses or somthing for playing on that system…either its just the c-stick or something is really being kept on the hush hush 😀
No worries! It’s very rare that I notice a spelling/grammar mistake on Vooks haha.
The Nintendo 64 was a magical console, between 1996 and 2001 Nintendo (EAD/NST etc) developed only 14 games in 5 years. Incredibly lucky they had RARE.
I’ve never played MM before back in the N64 days, and I totally missed it when it was given away with the GC Windwaker special edition…so I’m keen as beans to try this one out. I’m going to play OOT beforehand though.
I’ve preordered the collectors edition and it will be a first time play for me. Hope it lives up to the hype..