5 Reasons to Get Excited About Majora’s Mask 3DS
MAJORA’S MASK 3DS IS COMING OUT SOON!…ahem…there are probably more eloquent ways to begin this post. Eloquent and witty ways….but screw it, MAJORA’S MASK 3DS IS COMING OUT SOON!
Majora’s Mask remains one of my favourite Zelda games of all time. Yet at the time of it’s release it remained unsurprisingly under appreciated, with it having to fill the shoes of the groundbreaking Ocarina of Time.
But over the years it has gained somewhat of a cult following, enough so that Nintendo is finally giving us the 3D re-release we’ve (okay, I) have always wanted.
Understandably, there are some of you out there who have yet to play Majora’s Mask because you are either busy or crazy. For those of you who are hesitating….here are some reasons why Majora’s Mask should be at the top of your list to play.
Alternately, for those of you who HAVE played it, here are some reminders of why you should be as excited as me. Join me! JOIN IN THE ALL CAPS FUN!
5. The Music
One of the first things I fell in love with while playing Majora’s Mask was it’s haunting and eerie soundtrack. The game may on the surface appear to resemble Ocarina of Time what with the recycled characters, weapons and…well, other music. But the moment Majora’s theme starts up you know this is going to be a very different game from its predecessor.
There are so many pieces that stand out. The extremely creepy Majora’s theme. The heart wrenching Song of Healing. For myself, my favourite above them all would have to be the Giants’ Theme which you hear just after the first temple. Full of awe, regret and power, it made me feel as if I was actually standing in front of the ancient being looming over Link. It was certainly better than the reaction Link gave.
4. Tatl (or “Not Navi”)
I admit I had reservations upon first playing Majora’s Mask and discovering that yet another fairy would be accompanying Link. In Ocarina of Time, there was Navi who quickly worked her way into everyone’s heart as the single most annoying companion a hero could ever have. So strong was that feeling that even today, over fifteen years later, the jokes are still being made.
But only a couple of minutes in, Tatl quickly made her way to my favourite companion of Link’s in any Zelda game I’ve played. Yes. She even beats Midna.
Deal with it.
From the moment she enters the screen, Tatl immediately proves a far more interesting companion than the exceedingly aggravating Navi. She is full of sarcasm and wit right from the get go, never standing for Link’s inability to question anything.
More importantly though, Tatl actually has a compelling motivation for sticking with Link. Sure, Midna had one too. But unlike Midna, who had grand ulterior motives, Tatl simply wants to get back her friend and brother. Her growing friendship with Link is far more believable because of that motivation.
Plus…her voice is simply a chime. Honestly Nintendo…did NO test audience comment on the terror that was Navi?
3. The Masks
Sure, being the Hero of Time was great and all but admit it: while making the long trek up Death Mountain on Link’s slow and useless legs you secretly wished you could trade places with one of those free rolling Gorons. Or perhaps you were in Lake Hylia, waiting for those darned iron boots to do their work before practically crawling your way across a lakebed while all of those Zoras zoomed past you effortlessly.
Majora’s Mask remains the only Zelda title (that I’ve played anyway) that gives you the chance to not just transform into these familiar faces but also give them amazing abilities that frankly made them far more interesting than Link and that wimpy old master sword.
It’s not much of a choice, really. Why ride a tired Epona across Termina Field or doggy paddle your way across the entire ocean when you could roll your way across as a spiky backed Goron at full speed or dolphin kick across as a Zora and bring out your energy shield, TAKING OUT ALL WHO CROSS YOUR PATH!
Not to mention you get a kickin’ dead fish guitar…you play that dead fish, Zora Link.
Wait, what? I forgot the Deku Scrub too?…oh yeah…um…yeah, you can be a Deku Scrub if you want. Because why hit something with an arrow when you can use…spit…bubbles….
Okay, so not ALL the transformations were amazing.
2. The Darker Tone and Richer Storylines
Many of the character designs from Majora’s Mask were recycled from Ocarina. You might think that means the characters are the exact same. Just as an example, let’s see how much we remember about this red head:
In Ocarina? She was known as…um…that weird red head…and…we got a bottle from her.
In Majora’s Mask, she’s Anju, employee at the hotel. She takes care of her grandmother. She sucks at cooking. She’s depressed because her fiance Kafei has mysteriously disappeared. Their wedding night is in three days. Should she wait for him to see if he still loves her? Should she flee? Is he in danger or just afraid? And holy crap, that is already far more detail given to the character.
Problems bigger than “Where have my cuckoos gone”
Majora’s Mask takes place over the span of three days. Three days which you will repeat. Over. And over. In that time, you get to know the residents of Clock Town very well: their routines, their personalities, their troubles and desires. As a result, you end up feeling much more invested in the fate of these poor people who have no clue what to do about that menacing moon overhead.
Not to mention, the tone is darker, and that’s saying a lot considering some of the dark places Zelda games go. I mean, come on, part of your quest is to heal tortured souls and then wear their essences as masks. And those transformations do NOT look pleasant!
SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR SOUL
Don’t get me wrong. I love Ocarina of Time. And I don’t think Majora’s Mask is any better or worse. But where Ocarina of Time has an epic story, sprawling world and focuses more on the Hero’s Quest, Majora’s Mask has a more intimate story, darker tone and focuses much more on its characters. At the time, it was odd to find that in a Zelda game at all let alone one this rich.
1. Skull Kid
Screw Ganondorf. I’m serious. Ganondorf is all fine and good if you want your general, run of the mill power hungry maniac. But if I want a nuanced villain with actual motivation, I wants me some Skull Kid.
Yeaaaah
It is indeed the same Skull Kid you meet in Ocarina of Time. In that game, he was nothing more than a lost kid, swallowed up by the forest and turned into a goblin like creature. Jeez…that’s…that’s already pretty dark.
But at most he’s a simple prankster. Fast forward to Majora’s Mask, and suddenly he wants to bring down the moon! What the heck happened in between that time?
Skull Kid is definitely one of the more compelling villains of the Zelda series not just because of the originality he brings to his scheme (bring down the freaking moon!) but also because he’s actually complex and at some points in the game…we actually do kind of pity him and see where he’s coming from. His motivations, or at least once you find out what his motivations are, are completely relatable and while you do still want to take him down a small part of you understands what might have driven him to do what he did.
What were Ganondorf’s motivations? Seriously? Why did he become a villain? Because evil, that’s why. That’s about the only reason we’re ever given. And really, who is the more intimidating villain to take down? One who has a singular drive and gives speeches about power and cackles? Or one who is hurt and acts on his emotions, often unpredictably?
Skullkid wins. Always.
