Termina underwent some serious remodeling for its 3D debut. While the soul-stirring story and haunting atmosphere remain, you’ll find plenty of differences, big and small.
Gameplay & Control: A New Feel for an Old Fight
- Saving Grace (Literally!): This is a big one. The N64’s save system, tied to Owl Statues (for a “suspend” save) and the Song of Time (to save progress and reset), could be punishing. The 3DS version is far more forgiving!
- Owl Statues: Now offer a full, permanent save without quitting your game. No more activating them with your sword first, either!
- Feather Quill Statues: These new save points are scattered more liberally throughout Termina, including at the start of dungeons and even within the Moon. They allow for quick saves but can’t be used as Song of Soaring warp points.
- Time Travel Perfected: Playing the Song of Double Time on the N64 jumped you forward to the next 6 AM or 6 PM. The 3DS version gives you precision control, letting you choose the exact hour you want to advance to. This is a massive quality-of-life boost for those tight sidequest schedules! The Song of Time also now visually cues you on which items you’ll lose upon resetting.
- Bomber’s Notebook Overhaul: Your trusty notebook got a serious upgrade! The 3DS version makes it an indispensable tool, offering better quest tracking, active quest highlighting, character schedules, and even alarms to remind you of time-sensitive events. It’s much more intuitive for managing Termina’s myriad of troubled souls.
- Movement & Mask Mechanics:
- Zora Swimming: This is perhaps one of the most debated changes. N64 Zora Link was a speed demon in the water. The 3DS version offers more nuanced control but generally feels slower. The super-fast “Dolphin Dash” now consumes magic and creates an electric barrier. Some prefer the original’s freedom; others like the 3DS’s precision for tighter spots.
- Deku Water Hopping: Many players find that achieving top speed for skipping across water as Deku Link requires a longer run-up in the 3DS version.
- Goron Roll: Toggled on/off with a single button press in 3D, versus holding the button down on N64. Goron Link’s punches are also a tad faster.
- Automatic Mask Swapping: Equipping a non-transformation mask while in a transformed state will now automatically revert Link to his Hylian form and equip the chosen mask, streamlining the process.
- Controls Reimagined:
- Gyro Aiming: The 3DS’s gyroscopic controls offer an intuitive way to aim your Bow, Hookshot, and other first-person items. Traditional stick aiming is still there, of course.
- Camera Control: With the New 3DS’s C-Stick or the Circle Pad Pro, you get much-needed dedicated camera control, a significant improvement over the N64’s sometimes-clunky C-button camera.
- Item Mapping: The Ocarina gets its own dedicated spot on the touchscreen, freeing up your X and Y buttons (and two additional touchscreen slots) for other crucial items. Swapping is a breeze!
World & Content: Fresh Discoveries in a Familiar Land
- Beastly Boss Battles Remastered: Every major dungeon boss underwent significant changes in the 3DS version, moving away from simply whaling on them. Now, most bosses feature distinct phases and a glaring, giant Majora’s Mask-esque eye that serves as their primary weak point, often requiring specific strategies or transformation masks to expose.
- Odolwa: Now more defensive, requiring aerial attacks from Deku Flowers to stun him.
- Goht: Still a thrilling chase, but stunning him now specifically requires Goron Link’s power.
- Gyorg: A dramatically different fight! It now features multiple phases, including an underwater segment where Zora Link must strategically use environmental hazards (mines) against him.
- Twinmold: Completely overhauled. You’ll first battle a blue Twinmold using your bow, then don the Giant’s Mask (which now features punching and throwing attacks instead of just a giant sword) to take on a red Twinmold and its summoned Moldbabies.
- Gone Fishin’: A brand new feature for the 3DS! Two dedicated Fishing Holes (one in the Southern Swamp area, another in Great Bay) now exist, complete with a Fishing Hole Pass and 24 unique types of fish to catch. Some fish even require specific masks or conditions to lure! The Great Fairy Mask also helps attract “Fairy Fish.”
- A Seventh Bottle!: Thirsty for more? The 3DS version adds a seventh Empty Bottle to Link’s collection, often acquired through a new sidequest involving the Gorman Troupe Leader on the Second Day.
- Item & Reward Shuffle:
- Stone Mask: Its location has shifted. Originally found by giving a Red Potion to the invisible soldier Shiro on the road to Ikana Canyon (N64), you’ll now find Shiro hiding within the Pirates’ Fortress in the 3DS version.
- Giant Wallet: While both versions grant it for clearing the Oceanside Spider House, some of the specific Skulltula locations within might differ slightly.
- Koume’s Target Shooting (Swamp): Rewards an Empty Bottle in 3D, whereas it was a Piece of Heart in the N64.
- Dampé’s Graveyard Digging (Final Night): Yields a Piece of Heart in 3D, instead of an Empty Bottle like in the N64 original.
- Stray Fairy Locations: While most remain the same, a few cheeky Stray Fairies have found new hiding spots in the 3DS dungeons.
- Clock Town Changes:
- Bank Relocation: The Clock Town Bank has moved from West Clock Town (N64) to South Clock Town, conveniently located in the back wall of the Clock Tower, right near an Owl Statue.
- Observatory Telescope: Now features a more gradual zoom.
- Song of Storms: While the melody existed and was known by Flat in the Ikana Graveyard in the N64 version, Link couldn’t learn it as an Ocarina song. In the 3DS remake, Link can now formally learn the Song of Storms from Flat, adding it to his repertoire and using it for specific secrets and a Piece of Heart.
Visuals & Audio: A Sharper, Smoother Termina
- Graphics Overhaul: This is the most immediately noticeable difference. Majora’s Mask 3D boasts significantly improved character models, textures, and environments. The world feels more vibrant and detailed, all while taking advantage of the 3DS’s stereoscopic 3D capabilities.
- Smoother Performance: Generally, the 3DS version runs at a more stable framerate.
- Cutscene Adjustments: Some repeated cutscenes (like temple entrances or the Deku Scrub’s appearance in South Clock Town) are shortened on subsequent viewings. You can also skip the animations for the Song of Double Time, Song of Soaring, and Inverted Song of Time.
- Great Fairy Mask Visuals: The shimmer effect indicating a nearby Stray Fairy is reportedly more subtle in the 3DS version compared to the N64.
The Verdict?
Both versions of Majora’s Mask are incredible experiences. The N64 original holds a special place for its challenging nature and the raw, often eerie, atmosphere it conjured. The 3DS remake, however, makes the game significantly more accessible and user-friendly with its quality-of-life improvements, enhanced visuals, and helpful additions like the revamped Bomber’s Notebook and more lenient saving system.
While some purists might prefer the N64’s specific gameplay quirks (like the original Zora swimming), Majora’s Mask 3D is widely considered a fantastic way to experience this dark and compelling adventure, whether you’re a seasoned hero or stepping into Termina’s shoes for the very first time.
