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The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Updated: 12/11/2025, 1:35:28 PM Wikipedia source

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is a 2000 action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64. It was the second The Legend of Zelda game to use 3D graphics, following Ocarina of Time (1998). Designed by a creative team led by Eiji Aonuma, Yoshiaki Koizumi, and Shigeru Miyamoto, Majora's Mask was completed in less than two years. It features enhanced graphics and several gameplay changes, but reuses elements and character models from Ocarina of Time, a creative decision made necessary by time constraints. A few months after Ocarina of Time, the character Link arrives in a parallel world, Termina, and becomes embroiled in a quest to prevent the moon from crashing in three days' time. The game introduces gameplay concepts revolving around a perpetually repeating three-day cycle and the use of various masks that transform Link into different forms. As the player progresses, Link learns to play numerous melodies on his ocarina, which allow him to control the flow of time, open hidden passages, or manipulate the environment. As with other Zelda games, players must navigate through several dungeons that contain complex puzzles and enemies. Majora's Mask requires the Expansion Pak add-on for the Nintendo 64, primarily to support the game’s complex mechanics, such as the repeating three-day cycle and extensive mask system. It also enhances graphics and allows for more on-screen characters. Majora's Mask earned acclaim and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time. Some critics deemed it equal to or surpassing Ocarina of Time in certain aspects, praising its innovative gameplay, intricate design, robust control scheme, and atmospheric soundtrack, though it faced minor criticisms for graphical limitations, and was considered less groundbreaking than its predecessor. While it only sold about half as many copies as Ocarina of Time, it generated a cult following, with retrospective analyses highlighting its dark narrative tone and emotional depth. It was rereleased as part of The Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition for the GameCube in 2003, via the Virtual Console service for the Wii and Wii U, and the Nintendo Classics service for Nintendo Switch. An enhanced remake for the Nintendo 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, was released in 2015.

Infobox

Developer
Nintendo EAD
Publisher
Nintendo
Directors
mw- Eiji AonumaYoshiaki Koizumi
Producer
Shigeru Miyamoto
Programmers
Toshio IwawakiToshihiko Nakago
Artists
Yusuke NakanoTakaya Imamura
Writers
Mitsuhiro TakanoEiji AonumaYoshiaki Koizumi
Composer
Koji Kondo
Series
The Legend of Zelda
Platforms
mw- li , li Nintendo 64GameCube
Release
Nintendo 64JP: April 27, 2000NA: October 26, 2000PAL: November 17, 2000GameCubeJP: November 7, 2003NA: November 17, 2003PAL: March 19, 2004
Genre
Action-adventure
Mode
Single-player

Tables

Aggregate score
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregator
Metacritic
Score
95/100
Aggregator
Score
Metacritic
95/100
Review scores
Edge
Edge
Publication
Edge
Score
9/10
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Publication
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Score
10/10
EP Daily
EP Daily
Publication
EP Daily
Score
90%
Famitsu
Famitsu
Publication
Famitsu
Score
9/10, 9/10, 9/10, 10/10
Game Informer
Game Informer
Publication
Game Informer
Score
9.75/10
GameFan
GameFan
Publication
GameFan
Score
98/100
GamePro
GamePro
Publication
GamePro
Score
4.5/5
GameRevolution
GameRevolution
Publication
GameRevolution
Score
A−
GameSpot
GameSpot
Publication
GameSpot
Score
8.3/10
GamesRadar+
GamesRadar+
Publication
GamesRadar+
Score
4/4
IGN
IGN
Publication
IGN
Score
9.9/10
Next Generation
Next Generation
Publication
Next Generation
Score
4/5
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Publication
Nintendo Power
Score
9.4/10
St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
Publication
St. Petersburg Times
Score
A+
Publication
Score
Edge
9/10
Electronic Gaming Monthly
10/10
EP Daily
90%
Famitsu
9/10, 9/10, 9/10, 10/10
Game Informer
9.75/10
GameFan
98/100
GamePro
4.5/5
GameRevolution
A−
GameSpot
8.3/10
GamesRadar+
4/4
IGN
9.9/10
Next Generation
4/5
Nintendo Power
9.4/10
St. Petersburg Times
A+
Awards
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Publication
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Award
Console Action/Adventure (2001)
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Publication
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Award
Game Design (2001)
Publication
Award
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Console Action/Adventure (2001)
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
Game Design (2001)

References

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  2. Based on 27 reviews.
  3. Supported by multiple references.
  4. Supported by multiple references.
  5. Supported by multiple references.
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    https://venturebeat.com/2020/06/11/kena-bridge-of-spirits-is-a-story-of-redemption-with-cute-characters-on-the-ps5/
  153. Bloomberg News
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-10-22/sony-s-hit-video-game-for-the-playstation5-almost-never-happened-in-covid
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