Daily Debate: Is Majora’s Mask a Better Sequel than Tears of the Kingdom?
Posted on April 26 2024 by Aubriel Eastman
Nintendo doesn’t release direct 3D Zelda sequels very often. While The Wind Waker technically got Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, those games had 2D style perspective, and only released on Nintendo’s handheld console of the time. Thus, Majora’s Mask and Tears of the Kingdom are the only full scale, big release 3D sequels in the series. Both games have copious merits in their own rights, but as we live in the age of comparison, I must pose the question: Is one of these sequels superior?
Both of these games have a creepier atmosphere than their predecessors. Both of them give more insight into the NPCs than the first game. And that’s just about where the similarities end. In my opinion, Majora’s Mask has more of an identity than Tears of the Kingdom. Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask are discernibly different games. They take place in different worlds. They have different characters. The journeys are different. One day I may have the craving to play one of those games, but another day I might be in the mood for the other.
Tears of the Kingdom, on the other hand, somewhat renders Breath of the Wild obsolete. I’ve seen many people comment that Breath of the Wild now just feels like a tech demo. Sure, Breath of the Wild is worth playing once for the story, but with Tears of the Kingdom essentially being a bigger, better version of it, there’s not much replayability anymore. I do not think this makes Tears of the Kingdom a very good sequel.
If Majora’s Mask complements Ocarina of Time, perhaps even making the original better, Tears of the Kingdom demolishing its predecessor isn’t’ a very good look. While the game itself is wonderful, a sequel should build upon the first game rather than make it less appealing to play. Majora’s Mask brings us to a new world and manages to stand on its own merits. Tears of the Kingdom builds heavily on the foundations of Breath of the Wild, bringing back the same world with additions just strong enough to make it better, but not different enough to have its own identity.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Majora’s Mask is a better sequel than Tears of the Kingdom, or vice versa? Let us know in the comments!
Aubriel has been an avid Zelda fan since she was 13, when she discovered Twilight Princess. She loves writing screenplays and composing music, and is currently going to school for a BA in film. Aubriel is a staff writer for Zelda Dungeon.
