Fresh Takes: Majora’s Mask Is a Good Game, Just Not a Good Game for Me
Posted on March 03 2025 by Leslie Jacobson
I have had an odd relationship with The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. At the time of its release, my only experiences with the Zelda series were with Ocarina of Time and Link’s Awakening DX. I remember playing Majora’s Mask and thinking that it almost felt foreign because of how different the gameplay mechanics were from the two titles I mentioned previously. While it “played” like Ocarina of Time, the extra pressure of completing quests in a three-day cycle felt more stressful. And once I completed it, I never played through it a second time. I did try Majora’s Mask 3D, but I never completed that one because it just was not fun for me. Then, for last year’s Hot Takes list, I criticized the Majora’s Mask‘s popularity by saying that most of it derived from the “BEN Drowned” creepypasta and the “Link is Dead” Game Theory video. Needless to say, my opinion on the game has remained complicated.
Well, I decided this past year that I would give Majora’s Mask another go for two reasons: to get a fresh take on the game to understand why it is such a beloved title in the series, and to show it to my son who has inherited a love of the Zelda series. My conclusion is that Majora’s Mask is a good game, just not a good game for me.
I played the Nintendo Switch Online version of Majora’s Mask, mainly for the advantage of the rewind function and save states. This was enormously helpful for getting around some of the challenges with the original system’s saves. For example, I had to redo the Goron races and the section in Sakon’s Hideout with Kafei a few times, so the ability to save right before these events eased a lot of the frustration I had from when I played through the original.
As I played through the game, I realized that my main issue was how much the gameplay depends on timing and near-perfect control in order to complete some tasks. I mentioned above about the Goron Races and Sakon’s Hideout, but there were also puzzles in some of the dungeons and during certain events that depended on exact timing or control that, to me, made it feel like I was playing a platforming game instead of an action/adventure game. I also didn’t like the stress of completing the dungeons in a limited amount of time. I like to be able to take my time to figure out puzzles and to have extra time available if I slip up and have to try a task over again. There were quite a few moments where I knew what I had to do, but my “stupid fingers” would not react in the right way. In the end, I realized that all this is not the fault of the game itself; it’s on me. It’s just not the style of gameplay I typically enjoy.
However, with this playthrough, I also realized that what makes a game like Majora’s Mask memorable are the multiple stories that weave through the overall narrative. There’s the main quest itself with its themes of loneliness, friendship, loss, and even death. Each main quest transformation mask is the result of another character’s death, which can make for a huge emotional impact on the player. It’s no surprise that people find connections to the five stages of grief given the amount of death and grieving in the game. In addition, the game’s side quests are robust and go beyond simple “fetch quests.” Each side quest adds to the overall story and touches on one of the major themes of the game. What Majora’s Mask does better than perhaps any other game in the Zelda series is storytelling. That is why the game tops many fans’ lists of the best-ever Zelda titles and why it has endured for 25 years.
I am glad I gave Majora’s Mask another chance. I haven’t changed my mind completely; it’s not suddenly my number-one favorite Zelda title. But I can now say for certain that Majora’s Mask is not a bad game. I now realize that the game’s strength lies in its storytelling. While I do not like the style of gameplay, I recognize that that is simply a matter of personal preference. Majora’s Mask is a good game. It’s just not a good game for me.
What are your thoughts on Majora’s Mask? Is it fair to say that a lot of the game plays more like a platformer than an action/adventure game? Have you ever given a game you don’t like a second chance? Did a second playthrough change your mind? Let us know in the comments!
Leslie is a mom, a cosplayer, an educator, and a fervent fan of The Legend of Zelda series. She lives in an area of the United States that reminds her of the Akkala region in the fall and Hebra the other 11 months of the year. She owns The Legend of Zelda t-shirts older than most of her students.
