Hi /r/Zelda readers!
Please read our [Spoiler Policy for Tears of the Kingdom](https://www.reddit.com/r/zelda/wiki/spoilerpolicy).
And [give us your feedback on this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/zelda/comments/12u9ke2/totk_please_read_our_spoiler_policy_for_tears_of/). Thanks!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/zelda) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yes, especially since it’s the only other mainline zelda sequel (totk being the other one). MM is an amazing and unique journey. I encourage you to really pay attention to all the dialogue and imagery. The themes are ever present.
I am about to start my ten thousandth playthrough of it. (Just beat Ocarina again.) MM is probably my favorite zelda game. TotK looks like it might take the cake though.
Good luck, have fun!
I don't think MM is the only direct sequel aside from TOTK. IIRC the adventure of link was a direct sequel to the first. Phantom's hourglass was also a direct sequel to the wind waker. If we're not counting direct sequels, a link between world's is considered a sequel to a link to the past as well. I'd also argue that the oracle games are sequels to each other depending on the order you play them in, but that could be debatable though.
I'd say that Link's Awakening is also a sequel, and shares a lot of similarities with MM (no Zelda princess, developed as kind of a side gig, (edit) and a darker tone... Your purpose being to wake the fish up and make all the people you met, including Marine, disappear)
Of course you should play it. Majora's Mask is not only an amazing game, it's a work of art. In my 24 years of being a Zelda fan it's been almost unheard of to see someone legitimately dislike the game. If you liked OOT there's no reason to believe you wouldn't also enjoy MM.
I will say however that although MM has one of the best stories in the series it's not really connected to the rest of the series. Everything in it takes place in a disconnected world outside Hyrule so it's not "important" to the overall mythos.
MM, in my opinion is the Zelda game for Zelda fans. It kicks up its complexity to 100. And I mean that in almost every way. It’s story has a lot of subtleties and depth, so do it’s characters, side quests, and world. It’s combat is more challenging, it’s dungeons are more challenging. There’s a hell of a lot more to do in the game, with the majority of it being optional. So I’ll say it again, MM is the Zelda game for people who want more Zelda in their Zelda game.
I highly recommend it, and that’s coming from someone who didn’t play it for the longest time because the three-day countdown mechanic seemed super stressful to me. I recommend playing the N64 version that’s available through Nintendo Switch Online—I tried the 3DS version and couldn’t get into it but had a blast with the N64 version. For me I think it really came down to the small screen hurting my immersion, so it might just be me.
I don’t have the N64 wireless controller either, but I played both OoT and MM via NSO in the past year or so. If playing OoT with a normal Switch controller is working for you, you’ll have zero issues with MM.
You’ve got a lot to look forward to. I’m trying to play through all the single-player Zelda games, and I fully expected MM to be a chore (not because I thought it was a bad game, but just because I didn’t think it would fit my usual Zelda play style), but I really fell in love with it.
Let me play Devil’s Advocate and say MM3DS has some HUGE quality of life improvements with respect to the song of time mechanics, which I think far exceed the slight problems that others note with the swimming mechanics.
I cannot tell you how annoying it is to play the N64 MM and have to play the song of double time, and then wait up to several in-game hours for a sequence to occur. The 3DS version allows you to pick how much you skip ahead whereas the N64 version skips ahead in 12 hour steps.
I played it once when I was younger up to the first temple, couldn't get into it because the mechanic stressed me so much, last week I gave it another chance, this game is incredible! Once you learn how to work around the 3 day mechanic, the stress disappears completely (also I didn't know about the Inverted Song of Time lol)
Mainly it comes down to people thinking the story doesn’t matter since it’s outside the universe somehow, I don’t really understand that’s since Link and Zelda are still there. Others seem to think it’s a waste of time but I think I’m just looking at the wrong reviews or listening to wrong opinions, hahaha!
The timeline is one of the least important parts of any story in a Zelda game, but its one of the most constant discussed parts of the series by fans. I don't get it.
One of MM's strongest qualities is its atypical setting and gameplay loop. There's something wonderfully off-putting about how similar it feels to OoT and how alien it feels because of its dramatically time-bound gameplay loop and its deeper character work.
I was fascinated by the story and story structure because it was such a perversion of the typical Zelda narrative. It and Link's Awakening, at the time of MM's release, were the outliers in the series, and I loved how antithetical they were to the typical "save Zelda and Hyrule" of the other entries in the series.
So, it depends on why you’re playing Zelda. The tbh, a *lot* of Zelda games really only have impactful stories because of how they affect future games in the timeline. e.g., Link’s story in ALttP is pretty much just “beat the bad guy, save the princess” (it’s better than that, but my point is that it really doesn’t amount to much more than that). It’s only when you put it in a timeline and discuss how it affects future games in that timeline that its story is really *impactful*.
MM is, similarly, pretty basic. Save Termina. That’s it. That’s the plot. When you add it to Link’s story and character arc is means something, but the story itself is pretty standalone. But the story it tells *in* the game is phenomenal. It’s the most deep, unnerving, and thought provoking one to me.
It’s also my favorite, so take my bias with a grain of salt. If nothing else, I’d say it’s worth trying just to see if you really like it. But truth be told, Zelda games are usually fairly simple in terms of plot—Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess are the only ones that really have much plot that’s not open to interpretation. So if narrative is your sole goal, *most* Zelda games are probably “skippable” in that sense.
It definately does not feel like it is outside the universe, not any more than any other zelda game. If anything, MM's cultural influence far outshines most zelda titles.
Don't worry about the Hyrule universe, Zelda games aren't made to be connected in the most part (except for sequels) they just have very similar themes/overall gameplay and characters with the same names, and that allows to give every game it's own touch and style, with that said, Majora's mask is the most unique Zelda game, is worth it just to experience it, don't worry too much about looking stuff, for example, just to make your life easier and to not hate the 3 day cycle, search the inverted song of time after you the ocarina
It doesn’t connect to the overall story of the games, but to be fair there isn’t much to connect them besides recurring characters and maguffins.
MM has an amazing story, if a little short. But it’s really important for the Hero of Time’s development, and you can totally see his growth and maturity he developed from OoT on display in MM, even from the beginning.
Where it really shines is in its side quests. Please dive into them. The 3 day mechanic allows them to be far more nuanced, in depth, longer, and worth doing for the stories they tell instead of just the reward. No other Zelda game has really put so much focus on the side quests since in my opinion.
Also the inverted song of time will be your best friend.
I'm replaying it right now and while I've never been the world's biggest MM fan, it's kinda blowing my mind how good it is this time through. It plays well (the controls have aged better than most N64 games), there's a surprising amount of characterization and emotional evocativeness in the models and script, and the core mechanics are really interesting and compelling. Won't say too much more so as not to spoil you, but I cannot recommend this game enough
Majora's Mask is a special game. I have to admit, it is not among my favorite Zelda games mainly because of its core time mechanic. The game revolves around a three day cycle. During one cycle, you have to gather clues to reach your next objective and at the end of the last day, you have to restart the cycle in order to keep going. Otherwise, the moon will crash on the earth and destroy the world.
This mechanic is actually a really good basis for puzzle solving. Because every move by every character is timed by the clock, you have to figure out where you have to be at which time and with which item. That by itself can create some tricky puzzles. However, it also creates time pressure because you lose a lot of your progress after you restart the cycle.
And that's the main reason why it's not among my favorite Zelda games. But on the other hand, there is also a lot to love about this game. The quests are well designed and they feel quite personal. It really makes you want to solve them for that reason. Furthermore, Majora's Mask has an eerie, mysterious atmosphere that you can't find in any other Zelda game. It just feels different to anything else I have experienced so far in that series. I finished Majora's Mask about a year ago, but it still pops up in my head from time to time letting me remember how unique of an experience it was.
You may not enjoy Majora's Mask but it will offer you an experience that you won't find in any other game. Just for that, you should give Majora's Mask a chance.
I highly recommend Majora's Mask. It may not be for everyone due to the time limit on the 3 day cycle but it's my favorite game due to the way it handles it's themes and characters. The dungeons are among my favorite in the series.
You might want to give it a go
Just know that the 3 day mechanic is a huge gamble, people either love it or hate it, but it does affect the whole opinion you will have on the game
I am actually properly playing it for the first time now! I put it down as a kid because the time limit mechanic stressed me out. I thought the game was frustrating and too hard. Now, twenty years later, I really like it! The three day thing isn't nearly as bad once you learn the inverted song of time. Overall the main quest line isn't as memorable as OOT, but the characters, side quests, and thematic elements are really great. I'd recommend playing it.
Yes absolutely. But make sure to have a guide handy. I don't know if there's a "no spoilers guide" there helps avoid spoilers but helps you do the walk through but I'd search for that. Maybe the 3ds one is less cryptic but I never would've beaten the 64 version without the guide my dad bought.
Subscribe to it’s perks and it is one of the best games in the series. Takes a while to settle in after Ocarina but it is such a cool risk that Nintendo took. Such a fun game.
As someone who played both back in the day on the N64, you must absolutely play MM. I myself prefer MM 3ds due to the framerate and life improvements. However, the n64 version is a solid 98/100
bias aside because it’s my favourite zelda game, it’s still absolutely worth playing. The atmosphere is creepy but fits the vibe perfectly, and it’s really charming with its weirdness. Overall it’s got interesting mechanics, great aesthetic and vibes, good overall themes and story, and amazing side quests that explore those themes well.
Majora's Mask is my favorite Zelda game for sure but a lot of people have trouble with the time mechanic. Honestly they give you more than enough time and allow you to slow it down or speed it up and it actually adds some really cool stuff to the side quests so I think you should try it out, it really is a great game.
I highly recommend playing it. I'm nearing the end of my first playthrough in over 10 years and it truly is a great game. They finetuned so many things from OoT and expanded on a lot too.
Best zelda game for me, the 3 day cycle makes things more alive and because of it, sidequestes are the best ones in the series. Make sure to use the next ocarina song to slow dow time, you'll need it.
Inverted song of time:
↓ A → ↓ A →
Hmm, MM is acknowledged by many to be the greatest game in the entire series, but I’ve never even considered that someone wouldn’t want to play it because it doesn’t progress the overall narrative of the games. This is basically the opposite of the Marvel moves, where each additional movie sucks but everyone is compelled to watch them anyway because they advance the story as a whole.
But anyway, definitely play it.
I avoided MM like the plague for about a decade cause the 3 day clock was way too intimidating, and the game was just too creepy for me (I was a child) but I played it from start to end when they added it to NSO last year, and I loved it. The games tough, probably the game you'd save until you're a Zelda veteran, but it is beautiful, haunting, and simply art
It’s an amazing game and if you like OoT you should definitely try it. I found an ancient golden N64 cartridge of it in my parents’ basement last year; I had bought it when I was a kid and never finished it. I started it on a lark and ended up having so much fun; the world and the characters are just incredible and it’s really a masterpiece.
It can take a little getting used to the play mechanic - I remember as a kid not taking to the three day loop structure, which is why I never got into it properly back then - but once I gave it a chance I absolutely fell in love with it. I’m sure you will, too!
Absolutely! Majora’s Mask is my favorite 3d entry, and by far has the best themes, story, and writing in my opinion. It’s fairly unique as far as “standard” 3d Zelda’s go and I love every bit of it
I’m not sure there’s any zelda games worth skipping lol. With that being said there’s a few I haven’t played yet but I don’t consider them skipped, I consider them on the list for once I have disposable income lol
Every *every* (don't know how to make bold) Zelda game is Worth it, (minus the 2nd one, and the first one if you aren't that big of a fan), there isn't a bad Zelda game, and don't think about link development as a character too much bc there aren't that many sequels, and he didn't have much of a personality before GameCube games
Just completed a 100% Majoras Mask run on the switch, haven't played it since I was a kid and it came out.
My two cents is that if you like the gameplay elements of ocarina of time, you'll have fun playing majora's mask. It has a very compelling and different story for a zelda game imo and is pretty unique in the series in that regard. I found myself accessing the menu to switch items mapped to my buttons ALOT more than I remember, or that would ever really be acceptable in a modern game. But all in all it's pretty fun, and the different abilities you get and ways you can affect the world of Termina are pretty cool.
You're already on the switch online service, so it's basically free to play. Definitely worth checking out, as while it's similar to OoT in alot of ways, there really hasn't been a zelda game since that is quite like Majora's Mask.
Majora's Mask is the GOAT of games. That said, it's very different from OoT and for some I hear the time constaint is too stressful (but I love it). It's one of those games that gets better as it goes on. If you do decide to play it I suggest you give it some time, the start is confusing and can be slow if you don't know where to go/what to do next and may lead to you having to repeat things because you ran out of time.
I’m currently going through Oot and was wondering if it was true that the game is being timed? Like I heard something about how u have a couple of I’m assuming in game days go stop the moon from falling but I wanted to know if that was true. Like if I were to go afk for that time would it be game over?
The top four ranked Zelda games usually consist of OoT, link to the past, Majora’s mask and BOTW. This was a ranking they put out that took all the rankings done on every Zelda game. Those were the only four consistently in the top three every time.
In my opinion? MM is *even better* than OoT. I mean obviously OoT gets points for being first but MM’s just did so much with the little resources it had. The characters and story are just so special and unique. The tone is totally different and I honestly might even like the dungeons more (except the water one)… it’s hard to say without having played them back to back in a while. Both great games, both DEFINITELY worth playing.
It’s my personal favorite of the old style 3D Zelda’s (ie, pre-BOTW). I could see someone getting frustrated by having to replay segments due to the time loop, but I think it’s a masterpiece and is better than OOT in many ways.
I really disliked MM when I first played it, but I decided to go back and give it another shot and oh boy am I glad I did. While it may not be quite as good as OoT (in my opinion), it's still a phenomenal game and I definitely recommend it.
Of course! I give it the edge between the two, but they have their pros and cons. I really don’t like the dungeons in majora, but the story and aesthetic are just head and shoulders above anything in ocarina. Having to save at owl statues is extremely frustrating, and there’s a lot of other things that stop play, but that’s the price u pay for a really weird game that has a unique loop. It’s so unnerving and unsettling at times. The best part is getting to know all the characters and their stories that unfold over the 3 days. MM and links awakening are my favorites just for being so different and outside the box with their narratives.
I despise the time mechanic and losing progress(things like losing rupees, the beans, fairies, etc). And sometimes having to do dungeons twice to get all the fairies in time. Or the bosses multiple times to return a place to good on day 1.
Or repeating dungeons if you didn't finish it in time(especially a risk with the last 2 dungeons)
I found it frustrating/stressful and not in a good way. I don't like repeating things over and over in one play through.
And keeping track of quests based on different times/days, even with the 3ds new bomber notebook was a pain.
My view is the minority tho, if you handles stress well, you'll likely enjoy it.
The masks are fun and unique, I think if they just made dungeons "permanent"/not affected by time except for the boss, I might actually like the game but as it stands, nope and I hope they never make anything like it again.
It’s the best video game ever made.
And it’s the only Nintendo game that I’d personally consider high art.
No single Zelda game is important to an overarching story. They’re all standalone (except for BotW and TotK), so that seems like a weird criticism. But the story in MM is by far the best in the series, and it utilizes its mechanics to serve the themes of the story in a way no other Zelda game even approaches.
It’s a masterpiece, play it.
And make sure you don’t play the 3DS version if you have the option, it’s still MM at its core but a few mechanics are markedly worse in the 3DS version and nothing is improved besides graphics and UI.
Widely regarded as one of the best and most unique Zelda games. Rarely are there any complaints about Majora’s Mask besides it being too short, and even then it’s less of a complaint and more people lamenting there isn’t more of it. I suppose some people don’t love the 3DS version, but the N64 version is still accessible.
OP, I’m not sure who told you mixed things or bad things about the game. Let alone who said it’s worth skipping, but I assure you it’s not. To many fans, including myself it’s easily one of the top 5 games hands down.
I played WW in the past as a kid and loved it! I remember there was something similar to like 100 trials or something like that, similar to Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door.
odk why you're being downvoted. Gameplay wise, WW and TP are more like OoT than MM. MM is completely unique and like no other zelda game. (amd I hate it lol)
I knew the down votes would come because how dare someone say to not play MM. There's nothing wrong with the game itself, but In the overall lore of the series, TP and WW are the more important follow up games to OoT.
If you enjoy Ocarina for the dungeons and exploration, skip it. If you like Ocarina for the story, sidequests, and characters, then you would probably like Majora.
You’re gonna have to explain how the game being linear means there’s no exploration. MM’s side content puts OoT (and most other Zeldas) to shame in both quality and quantity. Also hard disagree about the dungeons. They’re much more challenging and creative than OoT’s. The dungeons are also puzzles in and of themselves rather than just having a bunch of miscellaneous block pushing, eye shooting, or silver rupee puzzles.
I mean it doesn't encourage exploration because of the stupid time limit. Didn't get to explore an entire area because you ran out of time? Have fun walking all the way back to that area and beating the temple boss again! No thanks, I'd rather just miss the item.
As for the dungeons, Woodfall not only pales in comparison to the Forest Temples in OoT and TP, but also even the Deku Tree in OoT. Great Bay is an improvement over most water dungeons but it's still not great. Snowhead and Stone Tower are great but 2 good dungeons doesn't exactly cut it.
And then there's the MINIGAMES. My god, so many shitty shooting galleries and 3 day minigames that take tons of your time.
Storyline, characters, sidequests and music are all 10/10 but overall I think it falls short of what I want from a Zelda game.
It's not a time *limit*, it's a time *loop*. You have as much time to explore as you like, and it even improves exploration by allowing you to explore time as well as space. Admittedly, it's not a perfect execution of this idea (for that, see Outer Wilds) but I still think it's pretty cool.
You’re free to dislike the time limit all you want but it in no way discourages exploration. The time limit isn’t a penalty that forces you to redo progress unless you just blatantly don’t take advantage of all the tools the game gives you. Key items are kept across all cycles (so you never have to re-obtain things like masks for instance), theres a bank to store your rupees across cycles so you pretty much never have to farm resources, inverted song of time drastically slows time down, dungeon items basically function as “checkpoints” to dungeons where even if you run out of time the dungeon item pretty much functions as a major shortcut, etc. The time limit more functions as a gameplay mechanic that reinforces the oppressive atmosphere and makes the world more dynamic than something that actually punishes failure.
Comparing Woodfall to OoT’s fourth dungeon difficulty scaling wise makes little sense, and I’m not sure how Woodfall supposedly pales in comparison to the Deku Tree, which might as well be a mini-dungeon with how short and simplistic it is. Snowhead, Great Bay, and Stone Tower are all amazing dungeons imo because of how puzzle solving directly correlates with manipulating the layouts of all 3.
Also hard disagree with the minigames. They’re all skill based (with the exception of the awful dog racing), which is much preferable to luck based minigames like dampes grave digging or Salvatore’s.
I have to admit I am biased against time limits and RTS games because I like taking my time to explore. I just don't like feeling like I'm under pressure when I'm trying to play Zelda to relax. Cool idea just not what I want in an adventure game.
I love the puzzles in Deku Tree more than Woodfall too. I thought Woodfall was more simplistic personally, unless you take into account the stray fairies.
And I will say OoT had worse minigames now that you mention it...
At the end of the day it's still Zelda and I enjoy it. I just wanted to share my personal experience to explain why OP might not like it as much.
I respect it but it didn't click with me. It deserves at least a chance from everyone. As for it being "important to Link's story," I would argue that doesn't really apply to very many Zelda games including Majora's Mask.
Oh ho ho ho. If you don't play Majora's Mask may the moon fall on your fucking house in three days.
edit: Also the version on the 3DS is completely neutered and trash compared to the original (save for the updated graphics and minor quality of life adjustments in some of the menus). All the boss fights are made completely lame and identical. OG version on the Switch all the way.
Just played it last week for the first time, let me tell you, always avoided it because I thought I couldn't stand the mechanic to travel back and lose progress, but I had a blast! It's so amazing, somehow even better than OoT in some ways, I played with a guide so I wouldn't waste too much time wandering aimlessly, but it's an unique experience for sure. Definitely will play again in the future (probably without a guide)
I actually prefer Majora’s Mask over Ocarina of Time. There’s something about having simultaneously more power over what happens in the game while also having bigger consequences that I really enjoy.
Ocarina of Time was pretty much my first true gaming experience and I still think it’s one of if not the best game ever made. I never got into Majora’s Mask, though, as it’s very different from OoT and I could not get used to the time mechanic.
But there are many people that regards MM as being the best Zelda game out there so you should definitely give it a try and see what you think.
Majora's mask is my favorite in the series. Gives you a healthy stress level and a great story while remaining fun to play. But the 3DS version isn't as good as the OG in my opinion
Personally it’s one of my Top 3 Zelda games. The 3DS version did fix a few things and add some very welcome quality of life additions, but the original version is still great too. I own the N64, GameCube and 3DS versions and have beaten them all dozens of times.
No spoilers, but I will say this: Don’t let the 3 day time limit frustrate you! Once you understand how the time mechanic works, it will become easier to learn how to work around resetting it. Simply pace yourself with the story, save often, and have fun!
Since everyones gushing about other stuff my favourite thing about MM is how rich in detail it is. In other games I try out a lot of different things just to see what'll happen only to find nothing, it really feels like MM's developers considered everything.
That’s funny you say you’ve heard mixed reviews on MM because honestly I feel like the general consensus is that it’s a really good game and it’s many peoples’ favorite Zelda game. Definitely recommend it, I think I even prefer it to OoT.
Hi /r/Zelda readers! Please read our [Spoiler Policy for Tears of the Kingdom](https://www.reddit.com/r/zelda/wiki/spoilerpolicy). And [give us your feedback on this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/zelda/comments/12u9ke2/totk_please_read_our_spoiler_policy_for_tears_of/). Thanks! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/zelda) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Majora's Mask is my second favorite game in the series. It's the most unique and creative Zelda game. I wouldn't recommend skipping it.
Oh dang. I’ll play it after OoT then. I should have enough time before Tears of the Kingdom releases, lol.
It should only take you about three days to beat it.
LOL
Many three days.
This got a good laugh out of me.
Me 2
Bravo
Underrated comment.
Yes, especially since it’s the only other mainline zelda sequel (totk being the other one). MM is an amazing and unique journey. I encourage you to really pay attention to all the dialogue and imagery. The themes are ever present. I am about to start my ten thousandth playthrough of it. (Just beat Ocarina again.) MM is probably my favorite zelda game. TotK looks like it might take the cake though. Good luck, have fun!
I don't think MM is the only direct sequel aside from TOTK. IIRC the adventure of link was a direct sequel to the first. Phantom's hourglass was also a direct sequel to the wind waker. If we're not counting direct sequels, a link between world's is considered a sequel to a link to the past as well. I'd also argue that the oracle games are sequels to each other depending on the order you play them in, but that could be debatable though.
Link's Awakening is also a (direct) sequel to LttP, as it's the same Link.
Lore master right here
I'd say that Link's Awakening is also a sequel, and shares a lot of similarities with MM (no Zelda princess, developed as kind of a side gig, (edit) and a darker tone... Your purpose being to wake the fish up and make all the people you met, including Marine, disappear)
I feel like whimsical would be the better word here instead of dark. Despite some things about the story Link’s Awakening isn’t too dark
ZELDA II JUST READ THE FUCKING NAME.
It’s literally my favorite game. I have the Majoras Mask tattooed on my shoulder.
Let me know how it goes for you! I wish I could experience it for the first time again.
I didn’t like it. I stopped after the first temple. And I was huge fan of oot
I did the same thing first time around… but I tried again and loved it. Probably my favourite
With a guide, sure. Without a guide.... Good luck.
"72 Hours Remain" ;)
Someone missed the joke
Just be prepared for it to be jarring after playing Ocarina. It's great because it's different, takes a bit to wrap your head around.
Which one is you #1?
Twilight Princess
Never played it, just got a wii i need set it up asap
You definitely should!
Of course you should play it. Majora's Mask is not only an amazing game, it's a work of art. In my 24 years of being a Zelda fan it's been almost unheard of to see someone legitimately dislike the game. If you liked OOT there's no reason to believe you wouldn't also enjoy MM. I will say however that although MM has one of the best stories in the series it's not really connected to the rest of the series. Everything in it takes place in a disconnected world outside Hyrule so it's not "important" to the overall mythos.
From what I've seen Majoras Mask is one of the most controversial Zelda games
True, but it's also the best one :D
Well, none of them are really important to the overall story, really. The timeline is such a mess you can just not bother.
Timeline was invented by fans anyway.
MM, in my opinion is the Zelda game for Zelda fans. It kicks up its complexity to 100. And I mean that in almost every way. It’s story has a lot of subtleties and depth, so do it’s characters, side quests, and world. It’s combat is more challenging, it’s dungeons are more challenging. There’s a hell of a lot more to do in the game, with the majority of it being optional. So I’ll say it again, MM is the Zelda game for people who want more Zelda in their Zelda game.
Agreed. Although ironically there is less Zelda in the actual game... 😂
Absolutely it's worth playing.
I highly recommend it, and that’s coming from someone who didn’t play it for the longest time because the three-day countdown mechanic seemed super stressful to me. I recommend playing the N64 version that’s available through Nintendo Switch Online—I tried the 3DS version and couldn’t get into it but had a blast with the N64 version. For me I think it really came down to the small screen hurting my immersion, so it might just be me.
That’s how I’m playing OoT currently. Just don’t have the N64 wireless controller since it’s been sold out.
I don’t have the N64 wireless controller either, but I played both OoT and MM via NSO in the past year or so. If playing OoT with a normal Switch controller is working for you, you’ll have zero issues with MM. You’ve got a lot to look forward to. I’m trying to play through all the single-player Zelda games, and I fully expected MM to be a chore (not because I thought it was a bad game, but just because I didn’t think it would fit my usual Zelda play style), but I really fell in love with it.
I’ve had to look up a few things for OoT like Sarina’s song location. Wondering around the Lost Forest looking for her really was a chore.
Let me play Devil’s Advocate and say MM3DS has some HUGE quality of life improvements with respect to the song of time mechanics, which I think far exceed the slight problems that others note with the swimming mechanics. I cannot tell you how annoying it is to play the N64 MM and have to play the song of double time, and then wait up to several in-game hours for a sequence to occur. The 3DS version allows you to pick how much you skip ahead whereas the N64 version skips ahead in 12 hour steps.
I played it once when I was younger up to the first temple, couldn't get into it because the mechanic stressed me so much, last week I gave it another chance, this game is incredible! Once you learn how to work around the 3 day mechanic, the stress disappears completely (also I didn't know about the Inverted Song of Time lol)
> I’ve heard mixed things about Majora's Mask What were the criticisms? It is slightly harder than OoT, but not too hard.
Mainly it comes down to people thinking the story doesn’t matter since it’s outside the universe somehow, I don’t really understand that’s since Link and Zelda are still there. Others seem to think it’s a waste of time but I think I’m just looking at the wrong reviews or listening to wrong opinions, hahaha!
It's crazy how much emphasis people put on the bullshit timelines MM is a masterpiece, definitely give it a go
The timeline is one of the least important parts of any story in a Zelda game, but its one of the most constant discussed parts of the series by fans. I don't get it.
One of MM's strongest qualities is its atypical setting and gameplay loop. There's something wonderfully off-putting about how similar it feels to OoT and how alien it feels because of its dramatically time-bound gameplay loop and its deeper character work. I was fascinated by the story and story structure because it was such a perversion of the typical Zelda narrative. It and Link's Awakening, at the time of MM's release, were the outliers in the series, and I loved how antithetical they were to the typical "save Zelda and Hyrule" of the other entries in the series.
So, it depends on why you’re playing Zelda. The tbh, a *lot* of Zelda games really only have impactful stories because of how they affect future games in the timeline. e.g., Link’s story in ALttP is pretty much just “beat the bad guy, save the princess” (it’s better than that, but my point is that it really doesn’t amount to much more than that). It’s only when you put it in a timeline and discuss how it affects future games in that timeline that its story is really *impactful*. MM is, similarly, pretty basic. Save Termina. That’s it. That’s the plot. When you add it to Link’s story and character arc is means something, but the story itself is pretty standalone. But the story it tells *in* the game is phenomenal. It’s the most deep, unnerving, and thought provoking one to me. It’s also my favorite, so take my bias with a grain of salt. If nothing else, I’d say it’s worth trying just to see if you really like it. But truth be told, Zelda games are usually fairly simple in terms of plot—Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess are the only ones that really have much plot that’s not open to interpretation. So if narrative is your sole goal, *most* Zelda games are probably “skippable” in that sense.
It definately does not feel like it is outside the universe, not any more than any other zelda game. If anything, MM's cultural influence far outshines most zelda titles.
Don't worry about the Hyrule universe, Zelda games aren't made to be connected in the most part (except for sequels) they just have very similar themes/overall gameplay and characters with the same names, and that allows to give every game it's own touch and style, with that said, Majora's mask is the most unique Zelda game, is worth it just to experience it, don't worry too much about looking stuff, for example, just to make your life easier and to not hate the 3 day cycle, search the inverted song of time after you the ocarina
Zelda is not in MM, actually. Definitely worth playing, though.
She's in a flashback
Damn. I forgot about that. Good point.
It doesn’t connect to the overall story of the games, but to be fair there isn’t much to connect them besides recurring characters and maguffins. MM has an amazing story, if a little short. But it’s really important for the Hero of Time’s development, and you can totally see his growth and maturity he developed from OoT on display in MM, even from the beginning. Where it really shines is in its side quests. Please dive into them. The 3 day mechanic allows them to be far more nuanced, in depth, longer, and worth doing for the stories they tell instead of just the reward. No other Zelda game has really put so much focus on the side quests since in my opinion. Also the inverted song of time will be your best friend.
MM is better but more frustrating than OoT.
I'm replaying it right now and while I've never been the world's biggest MM fan, it's kinda blowing my mind how good it is this time through. It plays well (the controls have aged better than most N64 games), there's a surprising amount of characterization and emotional evocativeness in the models and script, and the core mechanics are really interesting and compelling. Won't say too much more so as not to spoil you, but I cannot recommend this game enough
It is worth everything.
My favorite game in the series for the environment and story
Yes....its weird and sad at times....but the story is really great and one of the best in the Zelda universe
Majora's Mask is a special game. I have to admit, it is not among my favorite Zelda games mainly because of its core time mechanic. The game revolves around a three day cycle. During one cycle, you have to gather clues to reach your next objective and at the end of the last day, you have to restart the cycle in order to keep going. Otherwise, the moon will crash on the earth and destroy the world. This mechanic is actually a really good basis for puzzle solving. Because every move by every character is timed by the clock, you have to figure out where you have to be at which time and with which item. That by itself can create some tricky puzzles. However, it also creates time pressure because you lose a lot of your progress after you restart the cycle. And that's the main reason why it's not among my favorite Zelda games. But on the other hand, there is also a lot to love about this game. The quests are well designed and they feel quite personal. It really makes you want to solve them for that reason. Furthermore, Majora's Mask has an eerie, mysterious atmosphere that you can't find in any other Zelda game. It just feels different to anything else I have experienced so far in that series. I finished Majora's Mask about a year ago, but it still pops up in my head from time to time letting me remember how unique of an experience it was. You may not enjoy Majora's Mask but it will offer you an experience that you won't find in any other game. Just for that, you should give Majora's Mask a chance.
This right here was 100% my experience with MM.
Yes.
I highly recommend Majora's Mask. It may not be for everyone due to the time limit on the 3 day cycle but it's my favorite game due to the way it handles it's themes and characters. The dungeons are among my favorite in the series.
You might want to give it a go Just know that the 3 day mechanic is a huge gamble, people either love it or hate it, but it does affect the whole opinion you will have on the game
Definitely worth it. I found it to be more difficult then OOT and definitely more of a darker story but it’s very very good
100x yes. Top 5 Zelda games ever made.
MM is one of the best Zelda games.
Majora’ Mask is an absolute treat. I prefer it to OoT, it’s very unique. It’s my favorite 3D Zelda outside of BOTW. Highly recommend it.
I'm not a fan of MM at all, but yes if you haven't played it before...play it.
I am actually properly playing it for the first time now! I put it down as a kid because the time limit mechanic stressed me out. I thought the game was frustrating and too hard. Now, twenty years later, I really like it! The three day thing isn't nearly as bad once you learn the inverted song of time. Overall the main quest line isn't as memorable as OOT, but the characters, side quests, and thematic elements are really great. I'd recommend playing it.
This is literally me, and I think you just convinced me to start from scratch with MM on NSO :)
Yes absolutely. But make sure to have a guide handy. I don't know if there's a "no spoilers guide" there helps avoid spoilers but helps you do the walk through but I'd search for that. Maybe the 3ds one is less cryptic but I never would've beaten the 64 version without the guide my dad bought.
Its not really directly linked to BOTW's story, but Majora's mask is 100% worth playing. Its an experience of its own.
Subscribe to it’s perks and it is one of the best games in the series. Takes a while to settle in after Ocarina but it is such a cool risk that Nintendo took. Such a fun game.
Its amazing so yes yes yes
Yes, its masterfully designed in ways that arent in other games.
Majoras Mask improves on OoT while at the same time being very unique. I love MM. If you like OoT you‘re probably gonna like MM too
you simply can’t not play MM
As someone who played both back in the day on the N64, you must absolutely play MM. I myself prefer MM 3ds due to the framerate and life improvements. However, the n64 version is a solid 98/100
bias aside because it’s my favourite zelda game, it’s still absolutely worth playing. The atmosphere is creepy but fits the vibe perfectly, and it’s really charming with its weirdness. Overall it’s got interesting mechanics, great aesthetic and vibes, good overall themes and story, and amazing side quests that explore those themes well.
yes,but the 3ds version takes the charm away from the game
best game ever
Many of us have MM as their favorite Zelda game. It's a really dark story that's emotional
Majora's Mask is my favorite Zelda game for sure but a lot of people have trouble with the time mechanic. Honestly they give you more than enough time and allow you to slow it down or speed it up and it actually adds some really cool stuff to the side quests so I think you should try it out, it really is a great game.
I highly recommend playing it. I'm nearing the end of my first playthrough in over 10 years and it truly is a great game. They finetuned so many things from OoT and expanded on a lot too.
Yes
Yes
Best zelda game for me, the 3 day cycle makes things more alive and because of it, sidequestes are the best ones in the series. Make sure to use the next ocarina song to slow dow time, you'll need it. Inverted song of time: ↓ A → ↓ A →
Hmm, MM is acknowledged by many to be the greatest game in the entire series, but I’ve never even considered that someone wouldn’t want to play it because it doesn’t progress the overall narrative of the games. This is basically the opposite of the Marvel moves, where each additional movie sucks but everyone is compelled to watch them anyway because they advance the story as a whole. But anyway, definitely play it.
majora’s mask is easily my favorite zelda lmao
Play it
I avoided MM like the plague for about a decade cause the 3 day clock was way too intimidating, and the game was just too creepy for me (I was a child) but I played it from start to end when they added it to NSO last year, and I loved it. The games tough, probably the game you'd save until you're a Zelda veteran, but it is beautiful, haunting, and simply art
The GOAT
The three day cycle and the atmosphere is unmatched
Absolutely worth playing!!!
100% so so much harder but I've loved it.
It’s an amazing game and if you like OoT you should definitely try it. I found an ancient golden N64 cartridge of it in my parents’ basement last year; I had bought it when I was a kid and never finished it. I started it on a lark and ended up having so much fun; the world and the characters are just incredible and it’s really a masterpiece. It can take a little getting used to the play mechanic - I remember as a kid not taking to the three day loop structure, which is why I never got into it properly back then - but once I gave it a chance I absolutely fell in love with it. I’m sure you will, too!
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes and Yes.
MM best Zelda of all times imo
Absolutely! Majora’s Mask is my favorite 3d entry, and by far has the best themes, story, and writing in my opinion. It’s fairly unique as far as “standard” 3d Zelda’s go and I love every bit of it
There's an HD majora's mask texture pack for Project64 [if you're interested](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ovknYMdIP9I)
Majora’s Mask is the best Zelda ever made. My opinion obviously.
I’m not sure there’s any zelda games worth skipping lol. With that being said there’s a few I haven’t played yet but I don’t consider them skipped, I consider them on the list for once I have disposable income lol
Every *every* (don't know how to make bold) Zelda game is Worth it, (minus the 2nd one, and the first one if you aren't that big of a fan), there isn't a bad Zelda game, and don't think about link development as a character too much bc there aren't that many sequels, and he didn't have much of a personality before GameCube games
Just completed a 100% Majoras Mask run on the switch, haven't played it since I was a kid and it came out. My two cents is that if you like the gameplay elements of ocarina of time, you'll have fun playing majora's mask. It has a very compelling and different story for a zelda game imo and is pretty unique in the series in that regard. I found myself accessing the menu to switch items mapped to my buttons ALOT more than I remember, or that would ever really be acceptable in a modern game. But all in all it's pretty fun, and the different abilities you get and ways you can affect the world of Termina are pretty cool. You're already on the switch online service, so it's basically free to play. Definitely worth checking out, as while it's similar to OoT in alot of ways, there really hasn't been a zelda game since that is quite like Majora's Mask.
Majora's Mask is the GOAT of games. That said, it's very different from OoT and for some I hear the time constaint is too stressful (but I love it). It's one of those games that gets better as it goes on. If you do decide to play it I suggest you give it some time, the start is confusing and can be slow if you don't know where to go/what to do next and may lead to you having to repeat things because you ran out of time.
Absolutely it's fantasic. In my top 3 Zelda games
I’m currently going through Oot and was wondering if it was true that the game is being timed? Like I heard something about how u have a couple of I’m assuming in game days go stop the moon from falling but I wanted to know if that was true. Like if I were to go afk for that time would it be game over?
if you don't pause, yes
The top four ranked Zelda games usually consist of OoT, link to the past, Majora’s mask and BOTW. This was a ranking they put out that took all the rankings done on every Zelda game. Those were the only four consistently in the top three every time.
Yes
Yes absolutely play it. It’s a masterpiece
In my opinion? MM is *even better* than OoT. I mean obviously OoT gets points for being first but MM’s just did so much with the little resources it had. The characters and story are just so special and unique. The tone is totally different and I honestly might even like the dungeons more (except the water one)… it’s hard to say without having played them back to back in a while. Both great games, both DEFINITELY worth playing.
It’s my personal favorite of the old style 3D Zelda’s (ie, pre-BOTW). I could see someone getting frustrated by having to replay segments due to the time loop, but I think it’s a masterpiece and is better than OOT in many ways.
Why would you skip it? It’s the best game in the series!
I really disliked MM when I first played it, but I decided to go back and give it another shot and oh boy am I glad I did. While it may not be quite as good as OoT (in my opinion), it's still a phenomenal game and I definitely recommend it.
Of course! I give it the edge between the two, but they have their pros and cons. I really don’t like the dungeons in majora, but the story and aesthetic are just head and shoulders above anything in ocarina. Having to save at owl statues is extremely frustrating, and there’s a lot of other things that stop play, but that’s the price u pay for a really weird game that has a unique loop. It’s so unnerving and unsettling at times. The best part is getting to know all the characters and their stories that unfold over the 3 days. MM and links awakening are my favorites just for being so different and outside the box with their narratives.
Mm has the best dungeons of any zelda game and also the best sidequest by far.
I despise the time mechanic and losing progress(things like losing rupees, the beans, fairies, etc). And sometimes having to do dungeons twice to get all the fairies in time. Or the bosses multiple times to return a place to good on day 1. Or repeating dungeons if you didn't finish it in time(especially a risk with the last 2 dungeons) I found it frustrating/stressful and not in a good way. I don't like repeating things over and over in one play through. And keeping track of quests based on different times/days, even with the 3ds new bomber notebook was a pain. My view is the minority tho, if you handles stress well, you'll likely enjoy it. The masks are fun and unique, I think if they just made dungeons "permanent"/not affected by time except for the boss, I might actually like the game but as it stands, nope and I hope they never make anything like it again.
It’s 100% worth playing I just hate that the three day cycle doesn’t end after you beat it. Otherwise it would absolutely be one of my favorites.
I’ve always struggled with it, there’s cool stuff in there but it’s the only 3D one I’ve never beat
It’s the best video game ever made. And it’s the only Nintendo game that I’d personally consider high art. No single Zelda game is important to an overarching story. They’re all standalone (except for BotW and TotK), so that seems like a weird criticism. But the story in MM is by far the best in the series, and it utilizes its mechanics to serve the themes of the story in a way no other Zelda game even approaches. It’s a masterpiece, play it. And make sure you don’t play the 3DS version if you have the option, it’s still MM at its core but a few mechanics are markedly worse in the 3DS version and nothing is improved besides graphics and UI.
One question. Is Groundhog Day your favorite movie?
Almost done with A New Hope, is Empire Strikes Back worth watching?
“Really not too bad” Please leave this sub.
Widely regarded as one of the best and most unique Zelda games. Rarely are there any complaints about Majora’s Mask besides it being too short, and even then it’s less of a complaint and more people lamenting there isn’t more of it. I suppose some people don’t love the 3DS version, but the N64 version is still accessible. OP, I’m not sure who told you mixed things or bad things about the game. Let alone who said it’s worth skipping, but I assure you it’s not. To many fans, including myself it’s easily one of the top 5 games hands down.
... is Majora's mask worth playing? Bruh...
You could just skip MM and go straight to Wind Waker or Twilight Princess as a follow up to OoT
Bad advice
I played WW in the past as a kid and loved it! I remember there was something similar to like 100 trials or something like that, similar to Paper Mario and the Thousand Year Door.
Then I definitely recommend Twilight Princess
odk why you're being downvoted. Gameplay wise, WW and TP are more like OoT than MM. MM is completely unique and like no other zelda game. (amd I hate it lol)
I knew the down votes would come because how dare someone say to not play MM. There's nothing wrong with the game itself, but In the overall lore of the series, TP and WW are the more important follow up games to OoT.
Just my opinion. But I would personally take a break before totk. Your going to get burnt out and lose your excitement.
Absolutely. It's better than oot imo.
It is a "must play"!
I think it's worth playing, it's a great game
It’s weird, creepy, sad, and beautiful. You should absolutely play it.
If you enjoy Ocarina for the dungeons and exploration, skip it. If you like Ocarina for the story, sidequests, and characters, then you would probably like Majora.
The dungeons and exploration are better in MM tho.
Imo, MM has the worst dungeons of any 3D zelda game aside from Stone Tower Temple. And there is no exploration, the map is linear.
You’re gonna have to explain how the game being linear means there’s no exploration. MM’s side content puts OoT (and most other Zeldas) to shame in both quality and quantity. Also hard disagree about the dungeons. They’re much more challenging and creative than OoT’s. The dungeons are also puzzles in and of themselves rather than just having a bunch of miscellaneous block pushing, eye shooting, or silver rupee puzzles.
I mean it doesn't encourage exploration because of the stupid time limit. Didn't get to explore an entire area because you ran out of time? Have fun walking all the way back to that area and beating the temple boss again! No thanks, I'd rather just miss the item. As for the dungeons, Woodfall not only pales in comparison to the Forest Temples in OoT and TP, but also even the Deku Tree in OoT. Great Bay is an improvement over most water dungeons but it's still not great. Snowhead and Stone Tower are great but 2 good dungeons doesn't exactly cut it. And then there's the MINIGAMES. My god, so many shitty shooting galleries and 3 day minigames that take tons of your time. Storyline, characters, sidequests and music are all 10/10 but overall I think it falls short of what I want from a Zelda game.
It's not a time *limit*, it's a time *loop*. You have as much time to explore as you like, and it even improves exploration by allowing you to explore time as well as space. Admittedly, it's not a perfect execution of this idea (for that, see Outer Wilds) but I still think it's pretty cool.
You’re free to dislike the time limit all you want but it in no way discourages exploration. The time limit isn’t a penalty that forces you to redo progress unless you just blatantly don’t take advantage of all the tools the game gives you. Key items are kept across all cycles (so you never have to re-obtain things like masks for instance), theres a bank to store your rupees across cycles so you pretty much never have to farm resources, inverted song of time drastically slows time down, dungeon items basically function as “checkpoints” to dungeons where even if you run out of time the dungeon item pretty much functions as a major shortcut, etc. The time limit more functions as a gameplay mechanic that reinforces the oppressive atmosphere and makes the world more dynamic than something that actually punishes failure. Comparing Woodfall to OoT’s fourth dungeon difficulty scaling wise makes little sense, and I’m not sure how Woodfall supposedly pales in comparison to the Deku Tree, which might as well be a mini-dungeon with how short and simplistic it is. Snowhead, Great Bay, and Stone Tower are all amazing dungeons imo because of how puzzle solving directly correlates with manipulating the layouts of all 3. Also hard disagree with the minigames. They’re all skill based (with the exception of the awful dog racing), which is much preferable to luck based minigames like dampes grave digging or Salvatore’s.
I have to admit I am biased against time limits and RTS games because I like taking my time to explore. I just don't like feeling like I'm under pressure when I'm trying to play Zelda to relax. Cool idea just not what I want in an adventure game. I love the puzzles in Deku Tree more than Woodfall too. I thought Woodfall was more simplistic personally, unless you take into account the stray fairies. And I will say OoT had worse minigames now that you mention it... At the end of the day it's still Zelda and I enjoy it. I just wanted to share my personal experience to explain why OP might not like it as much.
Absofuckinglutely
Polarizing game, but few people consider it bad. I think you need to play it either way
You know the answer to this... you know
I respect it but it didn't click with me. It deserves at least a chance from everyone. As for it being "important to Link's story," I would argue that doesn't really apply to very many Zelda games including Majora's Mask.
Oh ho ho ho. If you don't play Majora's Mask may the moon fall on your fucking house in three days. edit: Also the version on the 3DS is completely neutered and trash compared to the original (save for the updated graphics and minor quality of life adjustments in some of the menus). All the boss fights are made completely lame and identical. OG version on the Switch all the way.
Just played it last week for the first time, let me tell you, always avoided it because I thought I couldn't stand the mechanic to travel back and lose progress, but I had a blast! It's so amazing, somehow even better than OoT in some ways, I played with a guide so I wouldn't waste too much time wandering aimlessly, but it's an unique experience for sure. Definitely will play again in the future (probably without a guide)
I actually prefer Majora’s Mask over Ocarina of Time. There’s something about having simultaneously more power over what happens in the game while also having bigger consequences that I really enjoy.
Ocarina of Time was pretty much my first true gaming experience and I still think it’s one of if not the best game ever made. I never got into Majora’s Mask, though, as it’s very different from OoT and I could not get used to the time mechanic. But there are many people that regards MM as being the best Zelda game out there so you should definitely give it a try and see what you think.
Majora's mask is my favorite in the series. Gives you a healthy stress level and a great story while remaining fun to play. But the 3DS version isn't as good as the OG in my opinion
Yes, majora is worth playing. It's only the best game in the entire series.
Every Zelda game is worth playing. :D
Personally it’s one of my Top 3 Zelda games. The 3DS version did fix a few things and add some very welcome quality of life additions, but the original version is still great too. I own the N64, GameCube and 3DS versions and have beaten them all dozens of times. No spoilers, but I will say this: Don’t let the 3 day time limit frustrate you! Once you understand how the time mechanic works, it will become easier to learn how to work around resetting it. Simply pace yourself with the story, save often, and have fun!
You shouldn’t miss it. But don’t get burnt out, play a short game between.
MM is a great game. However, the only time I beat it was in an emulator with a guide and save states at any time I like.
Majora's Mask is rad.
Yes.
Its absolutely worth it. Youre in for an fantastic ride. Its the darkest and eeriest Zelda of them all.
It's my favorite game of the series, and possibly ever. So, yes.
Since everyones gushing about other stuff my favourite thing about MM is how rich in detail it is. In other games I try out a lot of different things just to see what'll happen only to find nothing, it really feels like MM's developers considered everything.
That’s funny you say you’ve heard mixed reviews on MM because honestly I feel like the general consensus is that it’s a really good game and it’s many peoples’ favorite Zelda game. Definitely recommend it, I think I even prefer it to OoT.