Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64 (N64) is the third home gaming console made by Nintendo to be released internationally. It was so named because it could support 64 bits, a large jump from the SNES's 16 bits. The console was released in 1996, and played video games with Three Dimensional visual, the first Nintendo console to do this.
Games
Of all the hundreds of games released for the N64, there were only two Zelda games produced: Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.
Ocarina of Time
- Main article: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the fifth canon Zelda game released internationally, and the first for the N64. The game is considered revolutionary mainly due to the fact that it had full 3D animations for the first time in the series.
Story
The story begins with the Great Deku Tree talking to Navi, a fairy, who wakes Link up to tell him the Deku Tree has a mission for him. Link proceeds to the Deku Tree, and defeats the evil entity inside. The Deku Tree gives Link the Kokiri's Emerald before passing. Link then proceeds to Hyrule Castle to meet Princess Zelda.
After hearing about the Triforce, and Zelda's dream, Link will learn Zelda's Lullaby on the Fairy Ocarina given to him by Saria. He then proceeds to Death Mountain to recieve the Goron's Ruby, then to Zora's Domain for the Zora's Sapphire.
With all three Spiritual Stones in hand, Link returns to Hyrule Castle, which was attacked by Ganondorf. After grabbing the Ocarina of Time from Zelda, Link opens the door to the Master Sword, leading him and Ganondorf into the Sacred Realm.
Link sleeps in the Sacred Realm for seven years, before finally being awoken by Rauru the Sage of Light. He informs Link that, in order to wield the Master Sword, and become the Hero of Time, he had to grow up. So Rauru sends Link on a new quest to awaken the six sages.
After successfully rescuing Saria, sage of forest, Darunia, Sage of Fire, Ruto, Sage of Water, Impa, Sage of Shadow, and Nabooru, Sage of Spirit, the way to Ganondorf's lair is opened.
After dispelling the six elemental barriers, and climbing Ganon's Tower, the final showdown between Link and Ganondorf begins.
After successfully beating the evil king, the six sages use their power to seal him, before Zelda sends Link back in time to live out his lost childhood.
Majora's Mask
- Main article: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask was the sixth canon Zelda game released internationally, and second for the N64 console. It falls as a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time after Zelda sends Link back to relive his lost childhood.
Story
The story begins with Link searching for a "lost and invaluable friend" (presumably Navi, though unconfirmed), when he is mercilessly attacked by the Skull Kid, who steals his ocarina, as well as his horse. When Link finally finds him, the Skull Kid turns him into a Deku Scrub.
Link continues his way forward before being confronted with the Happy Mask Salesman from the Happy Mask Shop in Hyrule. After recieving a promise to return Link to his original Hylian form should he get his precious ocarina back, Link continues on his way.
Finally arriving in Clock Town (located in the center of Termina), Link visits the Great Fairy to get the Bubble Blast Attack. Using it, he finds his way to the Astral Observatory, where he looks through a telescope at the Skull Kid, as well as the Moon, who drops a Moon's Tear.
With that in hand, Link gives it to the Business Scrub in South Clock Town, to gain access to the Clock Tower, where he confronts the Skull Kid. Using the bubble blast attack, Link gets the Ocarina of Time back, and learns the Song of Time in a flashback with Zelda. He plays said song on the Deku Pipes to go back in time to Dawn of the First Day. He then goes to the Happy Mask Salesman, who returns him to normal with the Song of Healing.
After being returned to normal, and recieving the Deku Mask, Link goes to get the remains of the four bosses of the four different regions (Woodfall, Snowhead, Great Bay, and Stone Tower), as well as the Oath to Order in order to save the four Giants.
Link goes back to the Clock Tower, where he summons the four Giants using the Oath to Order, who come and lift up the moon, saving Termina! This also leads Link to the final confrontation between the wicked demon, Majora.
With Majora's Mask defeated for good, Link leaves Termina to continue his search for his friend.