Zelda: Majora’s Mask N64 vs 3DS

We take some time to reflect on the Zelda: Majora’s Mask N64 vs. 3DS debate and consider the pros and cons of each version.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is often considered one of the better (if not one of the best) games in the series. This is despite the fact that it takes a lot of inspiration from Ocarina of Time – it transforms old elements into new characters with set routines and believable reactions to the tragedies that occur in the game. However, the two currently available versions of the game, N64 and 3DS, offer different experiences. However, there is no consensus on which version of the game is objectively better. Today we will discuss the differences between Majora’s Mask N64 and 3DS and ask you the question: which do you like better?

For the original Nintendo 64 game

There are many reasons to prefer the original version of Majora’s Mask. For one, the 3DS version’s improved graphics aren’t necessarily a complete improvement. The Nintendo 64 version of Majora’s Mask has choppier, more polygonal graphics that actually contribute to the spooky mood to a greater extent. For example, Deku Link looks much sadder in the Nintendo 64 version, while in the 3DS version he looks more rounded and the intensity of his grim expression decreases. This also applies to the rest of the game. In general, the 3DS version’s graphics are more rounded. While they retain the game’s unsettling, oppressive feel, they do so to a much lesser extent than the Nintendo 64 version.

And then there’s the elephant in the room: the changes to Zora Link’s swimming in the 3DS version. This is probably the worst change made to the 3DS version of the game, and it gives the original version another plus point. In the 3DS version, Zora Link requires magic to even be able to swim at any reasonably fast speed. This wasn’t the case in the original Majora’s Mask – you can use magic to utilize Zora Link’s barrier, but it’s not necessary to increase his speed. This change slows down the pace of the game significantly in the Great Bay area, and the need for magic to swim quickly really doesn’t add anything of value to the game – except maybe frustration because it drains your magic meter incredibly quickly.

Another thing to consider in the Zelda: Majora’s Mask N64 vs. 3DS debate is that another unfortunate change in the 3DS version affects Deku Link’s water hopping. In the original version, you could spin off the lily pads of the swamp to save momentum and hop across the water with ease. In the 3DS version, you seem to lose most of your momentum when doing a spin attack, making navigating the lily pads much more difficult. That’s the problem with the 3DS version – a lot of things are made much more difficult for no real reason.

A great example of this is the boss fight against Gyorg. In the original game, Link can either stay on the platform in the middle of the room or go underwater to fight him. In the 3DS version, the entire platform is submerged underwater for the second phase. For this part of the fight, the water fills with mines, and you must trick Gyorg into inhaling one. This, combined with Zora Link’s magic-hungry changes, makes this fight much more difficult.

There’s also the issue of accessibility. The Nintendo 64 version of Majora’s Mask is playable on Nintendo 64 (of course), Wii, Wii U, and Switch. The latter options are also compatible with save states, making the game much more accessible to players who aren’t so good at video games. They allow you to replay difficult moments in the game without wasting valuable playtime. And if you’re not a fan of save states, you can simply choose not to use them and instead get the experience it was originally intended for.

Overall, Majora’s Mask is still a great gaming experience today. Saves make it easy to get started (since you can usually only save via an owl statue or the Song of Time) and none of the unfortunate changes from the 3DS version are present here. However, the game also lacks the few changes from the 3DS version that improve the gameplay experience.

For Majora’s Mask 3D

Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D makes a ton of changes to the game. Not all of them are good, but there are some quality of life changes and additions that are definitely improvements. One example is time management – in this version of the game, the Song of Double Time lets you choose which hour you want to jump to. In the original version, it just jumped to the next time scale (night of the first day, dawn of the second day, etc.). Like Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask 3D has better inventory management. There are two additional touchscreen buttons that you can assign items to in addition to the standard X and Y buttons. Ocarina of Time is also accessible on the touchscreen at all times, rather than having to be assigned.

As in Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask 3D offers the option of gyro control. Depending on your preference, this can make more demanding challenges like the swamp shooting gallery easier to master. There are also more save locations in Majora’s Mask 3D, including some that do not function as owl statues. Since there are no save points in this version of the game, this is a welcome change. In addition, on the New 3DS you can use the small joystick to adjust the camera, which is not possible at all in the original game.

Fishing holes have also been added to the game, with plenty of fish to catch. It’s a small change overall, but it’s still an additional unique piece of content that wasn’t present in the original title. Finally, there are the graphics, which are much smoother and higher quality than in the original game. Almost everything has been updated, and while the new graphics aren’t quite as scary as those in the Nintendo 64 version, they technically look better.

Overall, Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D is a gamble. Some of the changes were for the better, but others marred the experience. Which version of the game do you like better? Let us know in the comments below. Who knows – maybe we’ll see another remake of this game sometime in the future.

Currently, you can play the Nintendo 64 version of Majora’s Mask through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. Read more about the service Here.