The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

 Nintendo 64
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
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  1. Nintendorks
    100
    Where Majora rises to the top is its concept – three days to save the world. The execution of the idea is flawless: time means everything and the player always has to be aware. The save system is absolutely perfect, letting players feel comfortable in controlling time but still keeping them on the edge of their seats when things get hairy.
  2. Da Gameboyz
    100
    Da Graphics: To say nothing short of astonishing is an understatement.
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  3. Nintendojo
    100
    I would trade all of the PS2 launch titles for one copy of Majora's mask. Period.
  5. Nintendophiles
    100
    Majora's Mask is, withouht a doubt, a magnum opus of epic proportions. It may not be as great as "Ocarina of Time," but it gets as close as it possibly can. One of Nintendo's greatest.
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    100
    Link's second N64 adventure is a little different, but that's why we love it. [Jan 2004, p.189]
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  7. Games Radar
    100
    Constantly surprising, always delightful, never less than utterly stunning, this journey through the looking glass into a new and perfectly formed world is escapism of the very highest order.
  8. Daily Radar
    100
    There is no masking this one; it is, to mince no more words, a wonder.
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  9. Hot Games
    100
    Those gamers new to the adventures of Link and Zelda may want to do some background work and play Ocarina of Time before they jump headfirst into Majora's Mask.
  10. Games Domain
    100
    The colour and graphics in the game are flawless and your quest to find Majora's Mask is more intriguing and thought-provoking the deeper you get into the game.
  11. Core Magazine
    100
    Solid controls and complex-but rarely complicated-character interactions combine to produce another classic adventure.
  12. IGN
    99
    Recommended above all other titles this year as the Nintendo 64 game to own.
  13. Game Fan
    97
    The change in mood and the incredible new story are enough to rope anybody in for the easy thirty or more hours it will take to complete this worthy sequel.
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  14. Gaming Maxx
    97
    With a different storyline, an enhanced graphical engine, and a rather ingenious gameplay, Majora's Mask lets the N64 Zelda "series" end with a bang.
  15. GamerWeb Nintendo
    97
    It drew me into the world of Clock Town unlike any game I've played before, including "Ocarina." This could be the last truly legendary title for the Nintendo 64.
  16. Antagonist -- Ant.com
    96
    With outstanding graphics and audio, solid gameplay, a number of fun side games and challenges, Majora's Mask is one of the premier N64 titles to date.
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  17. Happy Puppy
    95
    The graphics are more stylistically consistent and detailed than those in Ocarina, the geography is more enormous and fluidly connected, the challenges are considerably more diverse, and the control interface is vastly improved.
    All this publication's reviews
  18. TotalGames.net
    95
    The storyline to Majora’s Mask is far superior to that of the first game and besides the camera and the occasional annoyance created by the advance of time, the puzzles, quests, objects and characters that you meet in this game make it a more than worthy sequel.
  19. Game Revolution
    91
    The two new additions of time and masks work well. It takes a little longer to get into this Zelda, but there are moments when the game really hits you with all its intricacies and mysteries, and that makes it all worthwhile.
  20. Gaming Age
    91
    It's easily the best game I've played so far this year on the N64 (although Banjo-Tooie might be a strong contender) and will remain one of my favorite games for a long time to come.
  21. CNET Gamecenter
    90
    Stunning, optimized graphics; immersive, rich sound; refined, complex, and deep gameplay; and a mature, gripping plot make it a game that you won't want to miss.
    All this publication's reviews
  22. Spank!
    90
    A lot more difficult than "Ocarina of Time" and not quite as user-friendly.
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  23. Electric Playground
    90
    even though I had more fun playing through Ocarina of Time, overall, Majora's Mask is just as impressive technically and possibly even more rewarding to play because of Link's newfound abilities with each of the masks he acquires.
  24. Game Critics
    90
    The game's new features have not been perfected and the frantic pace can feel unbalanced—no doubt a factor due to Miyamoto's lack of involvement. Despite these problems, Majora's Mask is a wonderful place to visit.
  25. GamePro
    90
    Skillful hands have crafted a story that's surreal and spooky, deep, and intriguing. Majora's Mask will keep you glued to your N64 for a long, long time.
  26. All Game Guide
    90
    The second game on the system to REQUIRE the use of the Expansion Pak accessory for high-resolution graphics and enhanced visual effects.
  27. GameShark
    84
    How did I enjoy "OOT," but not MM? Simple, I knew that "Ocarina Of Time" was based almost entirely around the ocarina and the shifting of time, Majora's Mask simply took the 1st idea and exploited the necessity of travel, thus leaving Majora's Mask nothing more than a rehash of the first.
  28. GameSpot
    83
    Some will appreciate the game's differences, while others will find the game's focus on minigames and side quests tedious and slightly out of place.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best N64 Game of 2000
1
#1 Most Discussed N64 Game of 2000
1
#1 Most Shared N64 Game of 2000

User Reviews

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User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1557 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,416 out of 1557
  2. Mixed: 63 out of 1557
  3. Negative: 78 out of 1557
  1. DomF
    Jan 9, 2011
    10
    One cannot help but compare Majora's Mask to Ocarina of Time as it is a direct sequel. Naturally, this was extremely hard to live up to andOne cannot help but compare Majora's Mask to Ocarina of Time as it is a direct sequel. Naturally, this was extremely hard to live up to and that is the most likely reason for the more negative opinion. Personally I found the game absolutely brilliant. As a sequel to Ocarina of Time it took the basic features of it and enhanced and twisted them into a darker and more perilous setting - Termina. Right from the beginning we can see that the game is darker, with the enigmatic travelling mask salesman and the mystery surrounding Majora's Mask. The whole mask concept is really what makes the game stand out, adding a multitude of side quests and new gameplay as well as making the game feel a lot more dark and mysterious. As many other reviews have said, the game was hard but for me that' part of what made it so great - the increased difficulty not only adds to the challenge but makes the game feel more dark and twisted when compared with Ocarina of Time. Overall I just feel that Majora's Mask captured the feel of Ocarina of Time and put a unique take on it making the game feel very fresh and just plain awesome.… Full Review »
  2. doodlerman
    Jun 10, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. In many ways this game is a definite improvement upon Ocarina of Time, because, though it is much shorter, there is a much greater reason to actually go around and explore, while in Ocarina of Time it was more like a luxury. The story is much darker and can even be disturbing. The maniacal, and somewhat sadistic villain in this one leaves your character in a world doomed to be destroyed by a grotesque moon, and throughout the game you have to find a way to prevent that moon from dropping - which you have three days to do. Time travel is, like in Ocarina of Time, heavily incorporated and from the beginning you know you can't accomplish what you can in 3 days, so you rely on your Ocarina in this more than you do in the previous game. Another improvement is that the new fairy, Tatl, is far less annoying and has more personality than Navi ever had. The game, like OOT, has its own lore, and though it can be related to OOT, it is also extremely different because it takes place in another universe or dimension (or whatever you want to call it). You can discover more about the world though the side-quests and exploration - by talking to others. In this game, many of the characters, unlike in OOT, will say different things to you after you've talked to them multiple times. The only way to really hear what they say again is to go back in time and start the 3 day cycle again, otherwise, unless it's really important info, they won't repeat it. You can affect just everyone's future in this, and that's probably one of the most well-thought out parts of this game. During the Kafei Quest, you can end up with so many outcomes, it's ridiculous - most of which are very sad, and only one is happy, but still is followed by inevitable sadness. Also this game is very surreal through its visuals and its levels, and also the fact that you can loop things over and over again adds to this effect. The levels are also constructed amazingly, and, as a player, it is hard to lose interest, and the puzzles are also improved upon from OOT. This game is perfect in its own way, and therefore is definitely worth at least trying.… Full Review »
  3. EdwardH.
    Nov 5, 2001
    10
    This game is the best Nintendo 64 game I have ever played!
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